Carry On Plane Survival Items?

K Williams

K Williams

Joined
Nov 17, 1998
Messages
3,301
What survival items do you include in your carry on bag? Unfortunately one of the most important items, a knife, can't be included.
 
I travel internationally a fair bit and usually bring:
1) a large Ferro-rod (3/8" x 5")
2) whistle
3) small LED light
4) tinder things (tampons)
5) some PJ
6) 2"x3" US Issue signal mirror
7) magnesium bar
8) some cordage
9) a small Bic lighter

The ferro-rod usually get's a look at, but so far no problems (the US is toughest on these types of things in any event). The ferro rod is actually superfluous b/c i also have a Bic and a bow/drill are easy enough to make, but it's comforting to have it along nonetheless.

I absolutely, under no circumstances *do not* carry anything metal that has an edge or could hold an edge (which generally renders the ferro-rod and magnesium bar less useful). That type of stuff, even finger-nail clippers, gets immediately tossed and incites the Inspectors - *especially* TSA employees.
 
I carry a flashlight and usually have my boots laced with para-cord. Not too much else. Somewhere on here, and I am too lazy to look, we did a thread on improvised survival and I think one of the scenarios was a plane crash. Try and look that up.
 
I wonder if a striker shaped like a quarter with a hole for cord would excite anyone? You might even put a sticker or label on it to make it look even less dangerous or just mix it in with your change.

I keep an Under Armour inner shirt and balaclava, 550 cord, whistle, compass and some meds- ibu, benedryl and loperimide.
Snack food. A few FAK items- compress, gauze,tape
Bill
 
lmalterna said:
I wonder if a striker shaped like a quarter with a hole for cord would excite anyone? You might even put a sticker or label on it to make it look even less dangerous or just mix it in with your change.

Bill
Click to expand...

Thats a *great* idea!!! I usually carry some small amount of coins and i suspect a carbon-steel "coin" wouldn't get a second look, though the metal density would look darker on their x-ray screen.

Now i'm gonna start scrounging around for some round bar-stock!!!
 
Commercial aircraft where you are required to go through TSA screening or private aircraft?
 
fmajor007 said:
I travel internationally a fair bit and usually bring:
1) a large Ferro-rod (3/8" x 5")
2) whistle
3) small LED light
4) tinder things (tampons)
5) some PJ
6) 2"x3" US Issue signal mirror
7) magnesium bar
8) some cordage
9) a small Bic lighter

The ferro-rod usually get's a look at, but so far no problems (the US is toughest on these types of things in any event). The ferro rod is actually superfluous b/c i also have a Bic and a bow/drill are easy enough to make, but it's comforting to have it along nonetheless.

I absolutely, under no circumstances *do not* carry anything metal that has an edge or could hold an edge (which generally renders the ferro-rod and magnesium bar less useful). That type of stuff, even finger-nail clippers, gets immediately tossed and incites the Inspectors - *especially* TSA employees.
Click to expand...

I don't travel in planes much but this seems to be about what I would carry. The only thing I may add to this list is a compass and some sort of metal vessel/water bottle. Good list fmajor007.
 
I think I posted this before, but here goes. In my last couple of years of employment, I had to travel to China several times, so I put together a kit that I kept under my seat on the plane in an Eagle Creek over the shoulder pack.

Here is what went in it.

2 bandanas
heavy work gloves
duct tape
zip ties
notebook
pen
sharpie
extra pair of glasses
first aid book
first aid kit
aspirin
advil
pepto bismal tablets
550 cord
whistle
mini prybar
Minimag flashlight x 2
extra batteries and bulbs
sewing kit
safety pins
eyeglass repair kit
smokes
matches
firesteel
small compass
bag of Jolly Rancher candy (for the flight, no smoking for over 16 hours)

In my checked baggage I had a Victorinox Swiss Army knife, and a multitook.
 
the way I read the TSA rules is that a pair of pointed scissors with less than a 4" blade is acceptable for carry on... in that case a pair of electrician scissors like a Wiss 175E might be an addition to that already posted.... haven't tried it myself though

a couple of 4x4 non adherent pads and some duct tape can make improvised smaller bandages and butterfly closures
rolled up Platypus water pouch...empty
 
John,
You are braver than I am with carrying some of those through Chinese carrier but I am encouraged and will revisit my own carry items. I did not carry anything I was not fully ready to toss- works with TSA but I was concerned that Beijing security might require more than just tossing an item.

Bill
 
Shotgun said:
I don't travel in planes much but this seems to be about what I would carry. The only thing I may add to this list is a compass and some sort of metal vessel/water bottle. Good list fmajor007.
Click to expand...

Thanks Shotgun.

I forgot to add that yes, i do carry a compass: My Suunto M3. It pretty much goes everywhere. Additionally, i also bring my GPS. And toilet paper. And Blistex/Car-Mex. For a water carrier, i use an empty 20oz plastic soda bottle. TSA hasn't refused it, but they don't care much for it either.
 
Leatherman now has a smallish multi tool that is actually TSA approved. It has small scissors but no blade. Has some very handy tools and is kinda small but still usefull I think.
 
Hmmm... What about the Adventure Medical survival kit minus the scapel? Or will the sewing needles and safety pins be a problem?
 
Are you flying domestic or international? What area(s) will you by flying departing/arriving? Jumping on a United Airlines flight from D.C. to Boston is a totally different animal than say a local commercial flight in South America. As for myself, I usually make between 5 and 10 business and persoanl flights a year. All of my travel is within CONUS, usually D.C. to Los Angeles. My airline "survival" kit is designed around comfort and handling small problems during travel. In the event of a true emergency, for CONUS flights I don't anticipate having the need for any real wilderness survival gear.

Bose Noise Cancelling Earphones
Granola/Energy Bar
Water Container
Pen
Book of Safety Matches
Hand Wipes
Tylenol
Ibuprofen
Pepto Bismol Tablets
Antacid Tablets
Dimenhydrinate Tablets
Glasses Repair Kit
Sewing Kit
Small First Aid Kit
Minimag Flashlight
6' Paracord
AAA Batteries
Empty 1 Gal Ziploc Bag

If I check a bag I will have a SAK and multitool packed away.
 
fmajor007 said:
I absolutely, under no circumstances *do not* carry anything metal that has an edge or could hold an edge (which generally renders the ferro-rod and magnesium bar less useful). That type of stuff, even finger-nail clippers, gets immediately tossed and incites the Inspectors - *especially* TSA employees.
Click to expand...
I completely agree with getting rid of any/all metal edged objects from carry on, even if the TSA says it's approved, like small scissors. Even if they allow it, it may very well hold you up in security while they try and figure out if it's ok or not. And always make sure to check your EDC knives or leave them at home. I've forgotten this step several times and consequently have donated multiple SAKs to the TSA.
 
Von Aether said:
I completely agree with getting rid of any/all metal edged objects from carry on, even if the TSA says it's approved, like small scissors. Even if they allow it, it may very well hold you up in security while they try and figure out if it's ok or not. And always make sure to check your EDC knives or leave them at home. I've forgotten this step several times and consequently have donated multiple SAKs to the TSA.
Click to expand...

They, TSA (and or their 'authorized' employees) sell this stuff on eGray. I don't know how they get it, but i've seen auctions there with that very info listed in the description. Arrghhhhh -
 
fmajor007 said:
Thats a *great* idea!!! I usually carry some small amount of coins and i suspect a carbon-steel "coin" wouldn't get a second look, though the metal density would look darker on their x-ray screen.

Now i'm gonna start scrounging around for some round bar-stock!!!
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if I missed something, but if you are talking about for striking a ferro rod, it doesn't need to be carbon steel. Any steel, or even a sharp rock would do the job.
 
Bill Siegle said:
Leatherman now has a smallish multi tool that is actually TSA approved. It has small scissors but no blade. Has some very handy tools and is kinda small but still usefull I think.
Click to expand...

I wanted to get one of these, but I would think you are still at the mercy of the person screening you. Thus, you may lose your (relatively) expensive L-Man either way.

Back to the OP: my main thought of plane survival is in the event of a crash. I have thought about packing "normal" survival gear in a blaze orange Pelican, or otherwise, container that I might have a greater chance of getting hold of if a plane goes down. Just a thought, an incomplete one at the moment, but a thought nonetheless.
 
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