If it does go off... stick your tongue out at the security
checkers -- it is legal to have piercings :--)
Ron
------------------
the metal detector's at the airport might not be as sensitive as you
think. you be amazed at some of the things i've gotten through with,
with no hastle (all steel watch, large key rings, all steel 5" butterfly
knife, a jacket with metal zippers and chains). it depends on the
airport and the climate of the times (i.e. the greater the paranoia about
terrorist activity, the more the airport will turn up the sensitivity of
the metal detectors. i once set off the metall detector with a keyring
with only three keys on it.
once my father got through with a steel plate in his jacket that was 7"
long and 1/4" thick (he had it oriented with the smallest sides toward
the detector's walls, i think).
all my experiences are with domestic flights though, to and from NYC. it
sounds like you're going international, but still i would really doubt
that a little 12 ga. barbell is going to cause you any problems.
look at it this way though, if you do set off the detector, you get to
stick your tongue at the guards and walk through.
-steve