Carry On Plane Survival Items?

I "donated" a bladeless multi tool to the TSA screeners. Rules DO change and it may be fine now but you are always at the mercy of the screeners.... If nothing else, plan to miss your flight while they confer.

International flights(for me) add another layer of concern.

Bill
 
While the leatherman advertising strongly implies that it is TSA approved, the TSA will tell you that they don't approve things. I've seen in other forums where sometimes it goes through, sometimes it gets confiscated.

When I travel internationally, SAKs or leathermans go in checked luggage, and if I have only carry-on, then I just buy a SAK when I land, and mail it back to myself before the return flight. Also, be careful with GPS, some countries (like Russia) will throw you in jail if you bring it. I guess they think you're spying on their military installations or something like that...
 
lmalterna said:
I "donated" a bladeless multi tool to the TSA screeners. Rules DO change and it may be fine now but you are always at the mercy of the screeners.... If nothing else, plan to miss your flight while they confer.

International flights(for me) add another layer of concern.

Bill
Click to expand...

^ that - in SPADES!!!

As a mere "traveler", you're completely at their 'discretion'. In the same vein as it's never a good idea to argue with a cop, the same applies to TSA folks. Furthermore, if you miss your flight because of your discussion with TSA over Travel Regulations and Allowances, you can be guaranteed that your (former) Carrier will not care one whit about *your* dilemma in getting to the Gate on time - thus requiring *you* to buy a nice, shiny new airplane ticket.

I've seen too many Grandma's loose their knitting needles (OK, that's a big, fat lie!!! I've never seen a anyone loose their knitting needle), but all the same, i'd rather check my sharpies and anything else i don't want to loose (where at least if it's lost i can open a baggage insurance claim).
 
I really am at a loss as to what one might take in a carryon bag (allowed by TSA) that would help them to survive a commercial plane crash. When a plane crashes, one survives or they do not. One might increase their odds of survival by selecting certain seats based upon odds, but that is iffy at best.

If the plane did crash, and you did happen to be one that survived the crash, you would want to get out as soon as possible. I cannot imagine delaying exit long enough to locate a carryon bag, then exiting the plane with it.

Since staying in the vicinity of the crash would greatly increase your odds of rescue, you would have the opportunity to pick thru the wreckage for useful items. Food from the galley, medical supplies, the axe in the flight deck, cushions, pillows and blankets, contents of others' baggage and even pockets.
 
Codger the prep isn't necessarily for a crash although it could be. It is for when you land and your in a strange urban and/or wilderness- rural environment when 911 isn't always 3 mins away. Also one night stuck in an over crowded and resource strapped airport during a blizzard wll make a believer out of you quickly. I now carry Travel Johns in my bag. When stuck on a grounded plane and the toilet is full or no longer serviceable I've told the attendant I have something in my eye and need the mirror. You go in and use the Travel John and the liquid stays gelled in the bag. Also take a couple HD plastic bags if you need to go #2 and there is no working toilet in your hotel during a minor disaster. Don't ask me why I know this!
 
I see. An "inconvenience" bag then. Does TSA allow piddle packs? That is surprising. To be honest, I've not flown since TSA became as invasive as they are today. But I believe I could make do for a night in an airport with very little if need be, Maybe a book I haven't read or some portable music like an ipod. A laptop with wifi would be good as would my cell phone and appropriate chargers. A camping pillow and blanket might be useful. And perhaps some snacks if they don't allow sandwiches. I like the Jolly Ranchers myself, and chewing gum (I wouldn't be flying to countries where gum is illegal). I believe bottled water is out now, so certainly a canned coke would be. Perhaps a couple of those "on-the-go" flavor packs meant to be added to bottles of water. Of course plenty of small bills and some change in case there are vending machines. Camper's toilet paper.

Still, this isn't what I think of as survival items. Most of the items I think of in this genre would have to be in checked luggage and may or may not make the same flight, or be accessable until a final destination is reached. I think I would tend not to pack anything into checked luggage that I wouldn't mind being lost by the airlines or stolen by TSA agents given how many have been arrested for thefts.
 
Quirt said:
Codger the prep isn't necessarily for a crash although it could be. It is for when you land and your in a strange urban and/or wilderness- rural environment when 911 isn't always 3 mins away. Also one night stuck in an over crowded and resource strapped airport during a blizzard wll make a believer out of you quickly. I now carry Travel Johns in my bag. When stuck on a grounded plane and the toilet is full or no longer serviceable I've told the attendant I have something in my eye and need the mirror. You go in and use the Travel John and the liquid stays gelled in the bag. Also take a couple HD plastic bags if you need to go #2 and there is no working toilet in your hotel during a minor disaster. Don't ask me why I know this!
Click to expand...

Good stuff to know Quirt! I've been stuck in the Munich Airport about 5 times - not including "Take Off" delays while in the plane. I try to avoid that airport if at all possible. My wife packs over a dozen on the single-serving flavor packets for our kids and i *always* have about a half-roll of TP in a zip. When traveling, each member of our fam carries TP.

Otherwise, every item i've listed in my initial post has been through many International and (more stringent) TSA inspections and no real problems (if i keep the mag rod easily accessed it speeds things up because they all want to look at it).
 
These are some very thorough, well thought out post everyone, thank you for your insight. I am really sorry to do this but I need to add one thing to the list...


A parachute


Once again I apologize, ill go now.
 
I do a lot of domestic flights and I carry many of the things listed. I've never had a small sewing kit even looked at by airport security but I have had zip ties confiscated as "restraint devices" (I had 3 of them). I also carry a set of leather gloves and my headlamp in a pouch with extra batteries.
 
This is a very interesting thread.

Having been first on the scene after a large commercial airliner crashed [all passengers and crew were killed], I suspect that "survival" in this kind of aircraft crash scenario is very rare, BUT there's always the remote possibility that you may survive at the hands of a skilled pilot.

There are some good lists here. I certainly wouldn't carry-on anything you don't want to lose. My experiences with the TSA have been varied ... I once had a tiny crescent wrench and set of folding allen keys confiscated [both were in with my carry-on diving regulator bag]. The TSA agent said - "no tools". Technically they were "tools", but there are tools and then there are TOOLS. I had travelled around the USA with these two items for years without incident.

Besides the obvious - a parachute -I wouldn't think about getting on an aircraft without a light of some kind - preferably a headlamp. I would then bring the "10 essentials" - obviously omitting the knife from the list, but the knife would be in my check-in luggage, if I had some.
 
Don't write everyone off - my Dad survived 3 crashes, and I've been in one emergency landing (on Wake Island, no less) after losing an engine over the South Pacific. They can be horrific, but sometimes also very survivable.
 
I fly weekly and have difficulty getting my cpap through TSA. I have watched people in line ahead of me walk through with a blade in their back pocket. I know for a fact TSA turns down the metal detectors on busy days(every Monday morning when all the business people are flying out - 6 to 10 am) due to going through with the same clothing (belt and watch) and no buzzers on Mondays, but Tuesdays with no traffic I set it off with just the belt. I keep a micro light, paracord braclet and enough personal convience items to get through any night stuck in an airport. Always carry cash, mechanical vending machines can still be found and resturants will always take cash in the event of a power outage.
 
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