Airport Security - What can I carry through?

S

squirrel503

Joined
Apr 13, 2001
Messages
7
On typically domestic flights what can I carry through an airport?

I have a BM Ascent 3" folder that I would love to carry; but was under the impression that was a no-no.

I also have an ASP that I would like to carry in my laptop bag/bulletproof shield.

I've not carried either of these and didn't really like the feeling of being basicallly "naked" WRT weapons (not extensively trained). I've already decided to get a Leatherman, as I can see those passing through just fine.
 
I've carried my BM 350 all across the country, and carry 2 #20 scalpel blades & tool logic toolcard w/ 2" blade everywhere - never had a problem w/ the knife or the card.

Also carry Swisstech Utilikey everywhere as well - blends right in w/ the keys

Sam
 
I've taken my Spyderco Delica plain edge (they frown on serrated in airports) all over the US, no problem. It often doesn't even register on the metal detector (plastic handle), because there's not enough metal on it.

Federal rules allow for a 4" or under blade, non-serrated, but also have a cluase that gives the indiviual guards at airports the right to refuse any knife if they feel it may be an issue.

SAK or Leatherman will go through almost everytime.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Brian.



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Brian Jones
Co-moderator
Wilderness & Survival Skills Forum
 
I've been in on this discussion on many other boards. Basically, what it boils down to is that the FAA has one set of guidelines, individual airlines have another set, yet it all comes down to the education level of the person running the x-ray machine or metal detector.

Some people walk through with 5 inch blades, while I've been stopped for daring to carry a Leatherman Micra.

Currently, I carry a Boker ceramic folder so they don't need to strain themselves trying to figure out if they want to confiscate the blade or not.

CJ
 
Folks,

Went back and forth to DC the past two weeks with my Terzuola folder (3.5" plain blade, titanium handle) in my carry on luggage. No notice was paid to it or me. Had a Spyderco Goddard (with a serrated blade) is my briefcase on a round trip to Boston about 1.5 years ago. Had forgotten it was there. Again, no notice was paid to it or me.

Try to leave enough time to check my bag if "security" finds a knife and insists I check it.

Had a Livesay NRGS (d2 steel) found in my carry on bag in DC once. Security lady said it looked "nasty" and I had to check it. Security guy measured it and found the blade was 3.5". Said it was thus ok to carry on. Security lady said it still looks "nasty" (can see the FAA reg now - "Any knife that looks nasty to a security lady must be checked." I need a Carnivore having pink G-10 handles with some glitter on them and a fuscia blade.) and I shouldn't be allowed to carry it on. Security guy said there's a law and my blade was below the limit so I could carry it on in my bag. And I did.

Whole scene is ridiculous since no one will try to hijack a plane with only knives as weapons (Yes, I know about the nut who killed the children in Japan, and I said knife, not katana or wakazashi.), not even the nuttiest of the BF members. Plus, the Sam Adams bottle they gave me last night would be about as dangerous and scarier, if broken, at someone's throat as a knife.

From the same government who gave us 10 round magazines.

Enjoy - Alan

[This message has been edited by Alan Antopol (edited 06-22-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Alan Antopol (edited 06-22-2001).]
 
I only ever carry a penknife. Other stuff goes into the hold.

Here is something for you. The other month I flew from London, England to Italy. At the other end, out of the airport, I felt into my jacket pocket. There were two .22LR rounds that I had completely forgotten about. The rounds were from a rabbiting outing from the week before.
I'm just pleased I didn't find them mid route, and relieved that I didn't end up with a right grilling.
 
Bring a carry on and stow your gear in that until you are through security. I've never had any problem with this. Actually I usually just empty my pockets into my bag until I'm through then I head for the restroom to redistribute my gear.

One concern might be with the ASP. A big metal cylinder might make the X-ray person stop and take notice. I'd check that through if I were you.

Greenjacket,

Ever watch the BBC show "Airport"? You want to see some firearm related nightmares in the UK take a look at that show.

[This message has been edited by Mr E Blackadder (edited 06-22-2001).]
 
I usually carry a fully serrated Endura on flights. I've never had a problem when I ran it through the x-ray in my bag. I left it in my pocket once and had to show it to the security guy. He checked to see that it was under 4" and let me through with no hassles.
 
I have taken my SAK Super Tinker through and my Spydercard. Both were placed in the tray before I went through the metal detector (Spydercard in my wallet). Nothing was ever said. Stay away from serrated blades it drives the security people nuts. I put my Emerson CQC7 in my check baggage for after I arrive. I never thought about carrying the serrated Spydercard; they never checked the blade on my other, but why take the chance of ticking them off?

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Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney
 
I flew from Arizona to the Bay Area last year and didn't realize that I had my push dagger in my carry-on until I got to the hotel! Strangely enough, I got brave and stuck it in my carry-on bag for the flight home, and again had no trouble.

I figure the odd shape helped somewhat (an x-ray wouldn't reveal a typical knife profile).

I always carry my SAK in my pocket, and something a wee bit more lethal in my carry-on bag. I also leave enough time so if I have to check my carry-on bag I can.

Just for fun I'd like to see what polycarbonate goodies I could get through.



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-Kevin
Oderint dum metuant
Riddler, Hoodlum, Bon Vivant.
The Polly Klaas Foundation
 
I always carry a SAK Champ, and have never had a problem with airlines, always have a problem with it in concerts/clubs, like I'm going to corkscrew someone to death, the large SAKs are singularly not tactical.

Amazingly often I find myself getting into an argument with a bouncer over the SAK while have a Spyderco Chinnook clipped in the small of my back. I carry that most of the time too, anywhere that pats you down and doesn't use a metal detector misses that most of the time, even if they go over you with a wand and do a quick/half-assed job. I just hate to walk back to the car to lock up a Swiss Army Knife
smile.gif


I just got a Boker Orion that I'm going to start tp carry out on the town, it's carbon fiber and titanium, won't set off a detector.

T

[This message has been edited by Edgedance (edited 06-28-2001).]
 
Unless you are in law enforcement, carrying an ASP baton through an airport is a bad idea. I don't know the FAA laws, but I'm pretty sure that carrying an ASP would be illegal. It will definitely be found by metal detectors/x-ray.

Try posting this topic in the Practical Tactical forum for even more replies.


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K. Williams
Modern Arnis Student
AKTI Member #A000978

[This message has been edited by K Williams (edited 06-29-2001).]
 
The FAA rules say that anything under 4 inches is acceptable, but there is am FAA guideline that directs the security folks to prohibit anything that appears "menacing". This is where the serration, tanto, "nasty" business comes from. If you carry a 3" plain edge folder you should have no problem. If you want to carry anything bigger make sure that you've got a 6 inch scale with you to demonstrate that the blade is less than 4 inches in length.

As to the ASP, do you really want to take something that looks like a pipe bomb into an airport where they can jail you for just joking about having a bomb?

Take care
 
Whats the problem with serrated knifes as opposed to plain edge? I notice several posts mentioning this... what is it easier to down a plane with a serrated under 4in knife then a plain edge?LOL you have to be kidding right???? Anyone????
 
The problem is, American airport security doesn't like pocket knives with serrated blades, but European airport security doesn't like folders with locking blades.

Unless you travel only within the US, you'd be better off sticking with a Swiss Army Knife (easily recognizable as "friendly") or other traditional folders such as two-bladed Barlow-type jack knives or three-bladed Stockman-type pen knives.

Tip on the SAK: Attach a Photon II MicroLight to the SAK's keyring. It makes the SAK look even friendlier, and should unwanted attention be focused on the SAK, demonstrate the Photon II. They are guaranteed attention-grabbers.
 
Am I stuck in the movie Groundhog Day, or am I missing something about this airport security thread?
Isn't this the actual truth? :
RULE #1 - REGARDLESS of FAA regulations and domestic and international regulations, the mope at the security gate is King. What he/she says almost always goes.. even if it is stupid and wrong.
So if said mope doesn't like your 2" SAK, .. YOU DON'T FLY WITH IT.
If he wants to, he can ignore your broadsword and let you fly.
You can put knives in your carry-on, but if detected.. see Rule #1.

The most valuable piece of gear I carry is a pre-addressed FedEx envelope so I can send my knife home when/if I run into the Rule#1 mope and don't have time to (though futile) discuss this with the security checkpoint supervisor.

IMHO it just ain't worth it to test the limits and see what you can get away with.
 
You're completely correct.

The guard at the gate has, in addition to minimal training and supervison, absolute authority. If one of them does not like the look of your blade for any reason whatsoever, you've already lost.

Someone on these forums encountered trouble with a guard who didn't like the look of one of his knives. Eventually, a uniformed police officer was called. The responding office reportedly didn't bother looking at the knife in question, but simply replied, "Lose the knife or miss your flight."

In these situations there is no recourse and you have no rights. You're expected to do as you're told with no backtalk. You're treated like a child. Hey, think of it like elementary school: It's something to be endured.
 
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