Hope this isn't off the topic, but the posting asking what knives other folks usually carry got me to thinking about the problems of legality and airline security. Has anyone had any experience carrying a "legal" knife through security checks at airports? By legal, I mean a blade under 4", either fixed or folder. Also, same question in regard to multi-tools. I have had no problems with my Swiss Army Champ as long as I have carried it in my carry-on bag. (Real kicker there is I purchased that knife at a duty-free shop in an airport. That was about 10 years ago and I notice that they are no longer sold at those shops now. So it goes....)
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About Carrying and Airline Security
- Thread starter maury
- Start date
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- Oct 9, 1998
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- 1,767
Some airlines say only checked baggage. You should check with your airline company first. In general though, keep the blade under 3", no serrations, probably no black coatings. Nothing to make it look aggressive. Avoid heavily recurved blades like a Spyderco Civilian or anything "vicious" looking.
The safest thing, is to carry in your checked baggage only.
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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
The safest thing, is to carry in your checked baggage only.
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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
- Joined
- Oct 9, 1998
- Messages
- 1,767
BTW, I noticed these are your first few posts. Welcome to BladeForums.com. The search function is available. Run a search for airport in the Blade Discussion Forum (this forum). This topic has been discussed a lot lately.
Take care.
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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
- Joined
- Feb 27, 1999
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- 528
European airlines may be more stringent, but I've gone through LAX and Charleston security with three or four different knives (all under 4 1/2 inches, of course). I've seen security check the length agqainst their palm and against the length of their ID badges. Only had to turn it ovedr to security on one occasion.
Gollnick
Musical Director
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- Mar 22, 1999
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- 29,258
This topic has been discussed at great lengths.
Experiences vary greatly from folks who've been turned away because of fingernail clippers to people who have waltzed aboard with broadswords hanging off their belts.
A lot of people like to quote "The Rules." But, the bottom line is this: it doesn't matter how long your blade is, if it's serrated or not, fixed or folding, locking or not, black or mirror-polished... if the $7.50/hour "guard" does not like the looks of you or your knife, you and your knife will not get aboard. The "rules" are really just guidelines because, in the end, the "guards" have total discretion.
I have taken upwards of a hundred domestic flights carrying my AFCK and picked people up at airport gates countless times more. I have never been stopped, only questioned a couple of times, the knife is hardly ever examined. I don't burry it in my bagage, and I don't try to hide it or disquise it. I just drop it in the change tray along with my pen, my keys, my watch, my Leatherman PST, and whatever other metal I might have on me, hand the tray to the "guard" and pick it up on the other side.
The technique that has successfully got me and my AFCK through airport security at dozens of airports nationwide with no complications is what I call "innocence by association." If you dress like a gentleman, act like a gentleman, and speak like a gentleman, then your AFCK is, by association, just a harmless gentleman's pocket knife.
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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
Experiences vary greatly from folks who've been turned away because of fingernail clippers to people who have waltzed aboard with broadswords hanging off their belts.
A lot of people like to quote "The Rules." But, the bottom line is this: it doesn't matter how long your blade is, if it's serrated or not, fixed or folding, locking or not, black or mirror-polished... if the $7.50/hour "guard" does not like the looks of you or your knife, you and your knife will not get aboard. The "rules" are really just guidelines because, in the end, the "guards" have total discretion.
I have taken upwards of a hundred domestic flights carrying my AFCK and picked people up at airport gates countless times more. I have never been stopped, only questioned a couple of times, the knife is hardly ever examined. I don't burry it in my bagage, and I don't try to hide it or disquise it. I just drop it in the change tray along with my pen, my keys, my watch, my Leatherman PST, and whatever other metal I might have on me, hand the tray to the "guard" and pick it up on the other side.
The technique that has successfully got me and my AFCK through airport security at dozens of airports nationwide with no complications is what I call "innocence by association." If you dress like a gentleman, act like a gentleman, and speak like a gentleman, then your AFCK is, by association, just a harmless gentleman's pocket knife.
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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2000
- Messages
- 2,483
I agree with Chuck 100%.
When I travel by air I try to wear my urban camouflage outfit, generally sports coat, button down shirt with tie, tan pants or cords.
If there is a line at security, I will generally avoid the change basket routine by emptying my pockets into my jacket pockets, and put my jacket on the conveyer with my brief case. I have never had to show anyone anything, yet.
Another ploy which may help is to hand the guard something like a camera bag, and ask him to hand check it for you. Not really trying to distract him, but sort of giving him a choice of which item he wants to spend his limited amount on time on, then help him decide which one it should be.
Mike
When I travel by air I try to wear my urban camouflage outfit, generally sports coat, button down shirt with tie, tan pants or cords.
If there is a line at security, I will generally avoid the change basket routine by emptying my pockets into my jacket pockets, and put my jacket on the conveyer with my brief case. I have never had to show anyone anything, yet.
Another ploy which may help is to hand the guard something like a camera bag, and ask him to hand check it for you. Not really trying to distract him, but sort of giving him a choice of which item he wants to spend his limited amount on time on, then help him decide which one it should be.
Mike
- Joined
- Apr 26, 1999
- Messages
- 481
On my most recent air trip (Indianapolis to PDX), we were going for my niece's wedding. The wedding present was a crystal vase, which, naturally I had in a carryon (I'm not dumb enough to put expensive glassware in checked luggage). Sure, I had a knife in my pocket too, but I intentionally had one that looked like a "gentleman's knife", a nice little 2.5" blade by Parker Cutlery that was one of the very few knives I've ever bought that were "acceptably sharp" when I bought them. Security in Indy made me open the box and show them the vase (and re-x-ray the bag without the vase), but they never looked twice at the knife.
Oh, and yes, follow Chuck's advice. You don't have to wear a suit and tie, but always dress neatly and speak politely. Look and act like a gentleman and your pocket tools will follow your example.
Paul
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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
A tool is, basically, an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself.
[This message has been edited by prn (edited 10-06-2000).]
Oh, and yes, follow Chuck's advice. You don't have to wear a suit and tie, but always dress neatly and speak politely. Look and act like a gentleman and your pocket tools will follow your example.
Paul
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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
A tool is, basically, an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself.
[This message has been edited by prn (edited 10-06-2000).]
- Joined
- Mar 4, 1999
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- 36
I went to pick up a co-worker in Rochester, NY about a year ago. It was 10 AM, there was no one in the airport hardly, and I had on a suit.
I put my wallet and my Spyderco Q in the tupperware and walked through. The attendant looked at the Q (Which is quite small actually) and said I couldn't carry this on the plane. I said I was just picking someone up and was not flying.
She said I would have to check the knife and pick this up on the way out. I asked why and was told that the airlines (in Rochester) were not allowing any serrated blades in the airport.
I asked for a written copy of this notice. When I asked for this the other two attendants disappreared and the lady would not answer me. By chance a police officer was standing near by so I asked why they were doing this. His response was that I didn't need a serrated knife and since I was a clean cut suit wearing individual I should let the issue go. That bothered me alot and still does.
I put my wallet and my Spyderco Q in the tupperware and walked through. The attendant looked at the Q (Which is quite small actually) and said I couldn't carry this on the plane. I said I was just picking someone up and was not flying.
She said I would have to check the knife and pick this up on the way out. I asked why and was told that the airlines (in Rochester) were not allowing any serrated blades in the airport.
I asked for a written copy of this notice. When I asked for this the other two attendants disappreared and the lady would not answer me. By chance a police officer was standing near by so I asked why they were doing this. His response was that I didn't need a serrated knife and since I was a clean cut suit wearing individual I should let the issue go. That bothered me alot and still does.
You can quote rules and regulations all you want but, in general it all boils down to a minimum wage worker drone who may or may not have a good case of paranoia. From past experience I have flown from Europe to the U.S. with no problems enroute after customs and multiple plane changes only to be stopped and hassled by a security guard in the U.S. who was distressed with a 2 3/4 inch lockback I have had since high school (almost 20 years now).
I have also flown with multiple "scary" looking knives on domestic flights with no problems. The soft floating standard used really does not provide any good guidance as to whether you will be stopped at the metal detector or will pass through. It's hard to guess what someone else will feel is threatening after being exposed to the nightly news, newspapers, movies, etc.
Just so there is no confusion, I respect the dedicated professionals who protect us from the criminal and/or terrorist threats but, poorly trained and educated wanna'bees should be replaced with properly trained and PAID security professionals.
Stay Sharp,
Sid
I have also flown with multiple "scary" looking knives on domestic flights with no problems. The soft floating standard used really does not provide any good guidance as to whether you will be stopped at the metal detector or will pass through. It's hard to guess what someone else will feel is threatening after being exposed to the nightly news, newspapers, movies, etc.
Just so there is no confusion, I respect the dedicated professionals who protect us from the criminal and/or terrorist threats but, poorly trained and educated wanna'bees should be replaced with properly trained and PAID security professionals.
Stay Sharp,
Sid
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2000
- Messages
- 698
1. folding blade
2. no serrations
3. 3 inches or less(both the airport and the airlines have their OWN rules and may differ)
4. single edge
2. no serrations
3. 3 inches or less(both the airport and the airlines have their OWN rules and may differ)
4. single edge
I can speak from experience, the security people are the ones that dictate what gets thru, not the airlines. I have been stopped twice, once in Daytona Beach, with a 2" serrated blade. I was told, very politely, that the serration is what was not allowed. I very politely asked to see their supervisor, as the FAA law does not reference serrations. The temperment changes, and I asked for a LEO; when he arrived, he said he didn't have a problem with it, but that the airport security tell their people to look for any unusual knife and it is up to their descretion if they want to allow it. By the way, that knife had been in my bag for atleast two years and about 100 security checks. The only option I had was to go back to the counter and put the knife in my bag and check it(the airline used the old across your palm sizing method). I now carry a self addressed and stamped box, out of fear of being stopped on my return trip.
Second incident, in Augusta Ga., just a month ago, I was stopped with my 1 1/2" pocket knife, that I just use to clean my nails. He let it go, but got great satisfaction of saying,"don't try that again".
Now, was it the way I was dressed, no, I travel business casual; was it the way I looked, no, I'm over 50, short hair. It was totally a person trying to appear powerful.
One point worth mentioning, alot depends on the size of the airport, both Daytona and Augusta are small and most of the airports that I was use to travelling thru are bigger, In fact, I was in Charlotte two weeks ago, a guy put a Emerson Commander in the tray, with no questions. Al
Second incident, in Augusta Ga., just a month ago, I was stopped with my 1 1/2" pocket knife, that I just use to clean my nails. He let it go, but got great satisfaction of saying,"don't try that again".
Now, was it the way I was dressed, no, I travel business casual; was it the way I looked, no, I'm over 50, short hair. It was totally a person trying to appear powerful.
One point worth mentioning, alot depends on the size of the airport, both Daytona and Augusta are small and most of the airports that I was use to travelling thru are bigger, In fact, I was in Charlotte two weeks ago, a guy put a Emerson Commander in the tray, with no questions. Al
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2000
- Messages
- 5,182
Dude - Welcome to the forums!
I pack a spydercard in my wallet. No problems at all boarding flights. Would avoid carrying any blades at all in the pocket to attract any uneccessary attention. Prefer to carry the folders in the zippered compartment of my bum-bag, no problemos at the airports so far!
Sam
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have spydies
will travel...
AKTI Member #A001148
Sam
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have spydies
will travel...
AKTI Member #A001148
don't assume putting the knife in checked luggage is the solution. The only thing I've ever had swiped out of a checked bag was a Spyderco last summer in Mexico. I think bags on many intl. flights are examined by X-ray after you check them. In facilities where baggage handlers aren't closely supervised I suppose those X-rays can save a thief a lot of time.