Fear of Flying??

Johnny11758

Johnny11758

Joined
Aug 17, 2004
Messages
465
I live on Long Island. Tomorrow, I fly to Florida for a week of non-stop fishing. And I I've decided not bring my large micarta Sebenza for fear that it might be stolen by airport workers out of my stowaway luggage. Am I being paranoid? I've decided to pack in my stowaway luggage two terrific (but easily replaceable) SAKs.:confused:
 
I've flown to both Minneapolis and Tucson many many times with my Sebenza stored in my checked-in luggage, and so far no problems whatsoever.

Consider the volume of luggage that goes through airports these days. Then think about how much time airport workers really have to go through luggage looking for stuff to steal. Then think about how few airport workers would actually steal anything from your luggage (most people are, after all, honest).

Basically, odds are undoubtably in your favor that no one will bother with your knife, especially if you do nothing to attact attention to your luggage.

Tuck it deep in your luggage, nestled in with your socks and underwear and I'll bet you'll be fine. It's what I do.

Just my two cents.
 
Take your Sebbie and enjoy it. I think it's a shame to leave your Micarta inlay at home when you can enjoy it the way it was meant to be used. I've never had a knife stolen and I've traveled with some expensive customs and never had a problem. Yeah you are taking a risk by taking it but life is short. Go for it!:thumbup:
 
Johnny11758 said:
I live on Long Island. Tomorrow, I fly to Florida for a week of non-stop fishing. And I I've decided not bring my large micarta Sebenza for fear that it might be stolen by airport workers out of my stowaway luggage. Am I being paranoid? I've decided to pack in my stowaway luggage two terrific (but easily replaceable) SAKs.:confused:
Click to expand...

I've had my EDC sebbie on better than 30 domestic and international flights. I remove the blade and stick it in my checked luggage -- bare blade's not much of a theft risk. The handle (with a unique graphic design of particular sentimental value) stays with me in carry on.

Have a great fishin' trip!
 
The last time I flew I packed my Spyderco Salt1 in my checked luggage and had no problems. Granted the spydie is nowhere near being a sebbie. When we arrived home and unpacked my wife's luggage had a little note in it saying that her bag was searched by the TSA and nothing was stolen. Or you could mail the knife to yourself and not worry about it and mail it back home before you leave.
 
I fly domestic and international flights have lost a few items including knives. I never pack anything of real value especially if its only for a short duration. I would carry your more easily replaceable SAKs and be able to fly without that stress.
 
mm3 said:
Or you could mail the knife to yourself and not worry about it and mail it back home before you leave.
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While this is not a bad idea, I think it won`t work in all cases.
For instance international travels. Even if you happen to have an address to send the knife to, you might run into issues with customs. Then you don`t know how long it will take to get there and you also will have to be without the knife several days prior to your travel. And then, last but not least, theres also the risk of the knife getting lost or stolen. In fact, I think I`d be more worried to lose the knife in the mail, than in my checked luggage... .

I quite like Fooj`s idea-yet, how does one explain this weird looking handle type of thing in the carry on, without coming off as "suspicious" to the TSA folkes?

Ill be flying to the US in a few months myself, and want to take my Sebenza with me, so I have wondered about this whole issue too... .
 
I think taking out the blade is also a great idea. I had a friend that was in WWII and able to send to send home a lot of souvenier guns by mailing home just the parts in batches.
 
akubra said:
I quite like Fooj`s idea-yet, how does one explain this weird looking handle type of thing in the carry on, without coming off as "suspicious" to the TSA folkes?

Ill be flying to the US in a few months myself, and want to take my Sebenza with me, so I have wondered about this whole issue too... .
Click to expand...

At airport security, I'm very upfront with the carry-on Sebenza frame, placing it prominently in the small tray to be scanned, and proactively pointing it out. I explain that it is just the frame, and that I've checked the blade. Almost without exception, the TSA folks ooo and ahhh over the design, and hand it back to me.
 
I understand wanting to take a Sebbie with you, but IMO I'd ask myself if I'd be willing to leave four or five ($100)bills in my checked in luggage and the answer is "No !" - - If I absolutely needed to have the knife with me I'd ship it to myself with insurance & tracking. - - -
 
I packed two SAKs and a Benchmade Mini-Rukus. All three made the trip safely. My fishing pole, however, was delayed on our arrival in Orlando, and for a good five or so hours I was pretty saddened. The pole arrived on a later flight, and all ended well. In fact all ended very well. Our family and my neighbor went on a guided fishing trip at Disney World, and each of us ended up catching our personal-best largest largemouth bass. My 5-year-old son topped us all by reeling in a 22-inch, 7-pound bass.
 
Sounds like you had a good time. - - Yeah, there are plenty of places I'm able to drive out here in the West where I get to use my Sebbie in the outdoors in MT, WY, ID, WA etc. So if I leave it at home for a long flight its fine. If it were a longer trip I might consider shipping it to myself or just doing what you did & pack something else less expensive. - -
 
I've only flown with mine a couple times but I checked it and did a little extra to secure it in the bag. Basically, I packed it clipped to a pair of jeans with a zip tie through the lanyard hole and around a belt loop on my pants. My theory being that left from luggage is likey some employee reaching in and quickly grabbing an item and slipping it into his pocket quickly and without being seen. Having it attached to something larger (like a pair of jeans) should make it too much hassle to bother with. Maybe a little paranoid, but it's cheap, easy and lets me take my Sebenza with me.
 
I've seen a link here before about a website that sells whitey tighties that have a fake skid mark that has a hidden pocket built right in the stank area.
This would discourage any would be TSA thief.
 
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