Airport approved

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

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Sep 25, 2011
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Taking a flight, it's been forever since I last visited the airport. I want to put as little as possible on the baggage that's going seperate from me, but for carry on I was hoping to bring a few comfort items, are the following ok?:

Leatherman ps4 - 1.6 inch blade, non locking, I remember TSA was ok with non locking blades, but currently did they reverse back to no sharp objects?

flashlight - do I have to take batteries out?

Any other items that are allowed please suggest as I'd like to bring as much as possible on my take on bag. Thanks!
 
With flashlights/spare batteries you can carry them on, no need to take the batteries out but if they are lithium batteries (cr123's/Li-ions like 18650's and energizer Lithium primaries) spares need to be in isolated containers, either stock packaging or something like store-a-cell battery holders where they can't short against each other/metal objects.
 
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They were going to stop confiscating small knives, but changed their minds. So the Leatherman with a blade is a no-no.

In general, you are prohibited from traveling with sharp objects in your carry-on baggage; please pack these items in your checked baggage. Scissors with blades smaller than 4 inches, small needles carried for special medical needs, and other sharp objects that do not contain a blade may be placed in carry-on baggage.

Any sharp objects placed in carry-on or checked baggage should be properly sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to TSOs and baggage handlers.

Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane.
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Generally speaking, don't carry anything that will raise questions and slow your progress through the lines. ;)

Even if you have one of the new blade-less multi-tools, it'll still jump out during x-ray, you'll possibly have to open your bags and remove the item, and allow a TSA agent to inspect it, during which time they'll have to consult with a few co-workers and supervisors. Meanwhile, you've missed your flight, held up the line, or at least wasted time you could have spent at the airport brewery. So put your tools in your checked luggage, and if they're valuable leave them at home.
 
You sure they changed their minds? Ive been on a plane with a Spyderco Bug in the last year...
 
The quoted information above was copied from the TSA website just tonight. I can't legally vouch for it's accuracy of course.

Here's an LA Times article about the TSA changing their minds.
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/06/business/la-fi-tsa-airplane-knives-20130606

Under pressure from lawmakers and flight attendants, the Transportation Security Administration said it would indefinitely prohibit passengers from carrying small pocket knives on planes — a ban that began after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The decision is a dramatic reversal for TSA chief John Pistole. Two months ago he decided to lift the ban, saying the move would enable airport security officers to focus on bigger threats, such as explosives.
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Huh. Well that's no fun... How am I supposed to open my complimentary peanuts now?
 
Grease said:
Huh. Well that's no fun... How am I supposed to open my complimentary peanuts now?
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You could try to sneak one of these on the plane.

111-KEY102CP.jpg


But you might end up with these.


handcuff.jpg




:D
 
Grease said:
Huh. Well that's no fun... How am I supposed to open my complimentary peanuts now?
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Complimentary peanuts on domestic flights in the States? You must fly with some luxury airline.

The four peanuts inside the bag aren't really worth the effort anyway.
 
Leave batteries in flashlight so's they will understand that it realy is a working flashlight, not a disguised tactical nuclear weapon.

In a quest for loopholes in TSA regs, rememger: TSA folks read these forums. 'Nuff said.

Oh, most airlines (maybe all?) don't serve peanuts anymore due to alergic reactions from passengers. I have a friend with this alergy: it is a serious consideration.
 
Thanks everyone for the info. So ok to flashlite, leaving the ps4 at home :(
 
Leatherman makes a PS Style PS with no blade, I have taken mine thru TSA on the last 4 trips. No issue in fact one TSA agent gave me a thumbs up when he looked at it briefly. Most times no one even picked it up out of the tray.
BTW Southwest still gives out peanuts and pretzels and you can have more than just one! FYI.

There is a tiny chance that internally the TSA has begun to ignore small keychain sized blades or they just overlook or miss them in the screening. I have heard a lot lately about folks accidentally traveling with a SAK Classic or such and realizing they have been flying all over with it on their keys or in their bag.
Doesn't mean you will not lose it if they see it.

To replace my knife as a strong cutting tool I carry a pair of EMT shears in my bag, better than nothing and TSA OK.
 
Possible idea to consider... You can take the blades out of a lot of leatherman tools. Put it in a cardboard sleeve in your checked bag and reassemble on the other end.
 
Grease said:
Possible idea to consider... You can take the blades out of a lot of leatherman tools. Put it in a cardboard sleeve in your checked bag and reassemble on the other end.
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That's a great idea for any knives you want to take, they're much less likely to grow legs that way.
 
Brought my Surefire with me in my pack the last 2 times I flew.

When I fly I travel with a small locked Otterbox where I put 2 folders and my Leatherman.

If you're flying and in Raleigh NC, don't bring a Leatherman. They don't have those there apparently. I was accused of having a pistol in my Otterbox 3 times by a TSA agent because the X ray guy aparently had no clue what a Leatherman MUT looked like when folded. The massive hammer on the MUT, around 3/4" long, apparently resembled a "gun handle" close enough that they had to interrupt my dinner at the airport and make me scuff down $30 worth of catfish, just to be accused of having a pistol while feeling the beady eyes of 3 baggage handlers hoping it was a gun so they could see someone get shot and 1 pair of eyes from a TSA agent whith his hand on his carry piece while I unlock my Otterbox to pull out a Swick 3, Tenacious, and my MUT.

Oh, and if you have flash hiders for rifles in your check in and flying through Dallas Fort Worth, TSA will check your bags too. Speaking form experience.
 
But you know that changing the rules all the time keeps the terrorists from making plans. Either sign up for pre-check or global-pass or whatever it is, or leave all the toys at home. I've had EMT shears taken in australia (while the US was under high alert, so everyone was tense) and I've nearly lost my spork.
 
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