I wonder if I'll have issues getting it back? Anyone have any idea?
No way! I mean, what could
possibly go wrong? You have it in a big plastic bag in your carry-on, and tell the TSA agent it's wood for "smoking"; he/she takes that as it's going to
smoke in the aircraft, which translates into "it might be a
smoldering bomb!" Next thing you know, you're spread-eagle on the floor, and they're pulling out handcuffs and rubber gloves.... no problem, just a "slight" delay.
I'd throw it in a UPS box and send it home.