Frequent Flyer help please! (re. Ti La Griff)

C

cledford3

Joined
May 31, 2000
Messages
8
Or put another way, how non-magnetic is non-magnetic? I travel a lot for work and get hassled all of the time for even my leatherman wave during carry on. I usually bring a Benchmade CQC-7 in my checked luggage. (I leave the beloved CQC-6 at home when flying - just can't stand the thought of losing it to an airport cop or security geek...)

I'm going to France this month and want some security for while I'm "in country." I was looking at the G10 Perrin La Griffe and a few other knifes including the Emerson Titanium La Griffe. I don't see the Benchmade as being an option on this trip due to the customs inspections. I also would like to have some security with me onboard during the flight as it is my first commercial flight abroad. (Flown USAF several times in past)

I found a Warren Thomas ALL Ti tactical folder also. (everything - blade, handles, bolsters, screws are Ti)

I'm wondering exactly what will pass though the carry one metal detectors and what won't. I'd prefer the Thomas to the La Griffes due to the smaller size of the other two, but if I can't be absolutely, 100% certain that the $435 dollar Thomas can pass though the detector un-noticed, I can't take the chance on buying it.

Would anyone help me out with understanding the ins and outs of flying with knifes? Also, I realize that any advice on laws and regulations will be from non-lawyers and not legally binding, but any information of that sort would be useful as well. I'm considering one of the Mini-CQC7s when they come out if there are actual rules that I can quote to "Security Officer Joe Moron" when stopped with it. (I.e. "Sorry officer Moron, you are incorrect - USC section XXXXXXXXX says that I can bring a small knife if under X inches in blade length.") In the past at some airports they've used their hand widths or a ruler to measure the blade on the Wave, but won't quote a specific length.

-Calvin
 
DO NOT TRY TO GO PAST A METAL DETECTOR WITH A Ti KNIFE!!!!!!!!!! While Ti has no magnetic charge it is still very much detectable by a metal detector... A lot has been written in the General Forum about this. A few months back I had inquired with the people at mission knives about there MPU Ti knife and told them very clearly via e-mail and phone Conversations that I needed a knife that could pass through various hand held and walk through metal detectors unoticed. He told me the MPU was just what I was looking for!!! HE LIED... I sent it back and he said he would personally de-magntize it that somehow it picked up a magnetic signature. He than latter told me during a long phone conversation that he tested the knife at the local airport himself...He LIED!!! To make a very long story short.... Ti has no magnetic signature but these metal detectors pick up something else that Ti knives do have. However the G-10 Frequent Flyer and Several knifes by Mad DOG Labs are just what your looking for and will not. Hope this helps!!! Just in case anyone out there is feeling a bit hostile (I got asked to no longer post negative things aout mission knives at knifeforums) I was just sharing my own personal experience with Ti knives....
 
Perhaps you have seen some news stories about violence on passenger planes lately? I always find it funny when people want to degrade the police or security personel for simply trying to keep everyone safe. Nothing personal Cledford but i really hope "officer Moron" stops you and everyone else who tries to bring a weapon on a plane that i am on. You might be the most level headed person in the world, but who knows. I hope I have not offended anyone, i am a knife fan, and i carry one everyday. I too would like to carry my knife at all times, including on a plane. However i recognize the danger that many in this world pose. There is simply too much risk involved to allow just anyone to fly armed. Just my opinion. Again hope no one is offended.
 
Guys

Given the events earlier today, this is sure to be a big topic of discussion.

Might I suggest you take this topic up on the General Discussion forum. You'll probably have more response there.

John
 
kh21106,
I never take offense to anyone's opinion. Healthy debate is good for the soul.
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Violence is just violence, whether it's the problem or the response to the problem. Violence isn't some type of evil entity nor a force unto itself, but merely a dynamic that men choose for themselves (and unfortunately for others at times). Since the beginning of time, there has only been one really effective way of dealing with violence. You guessed it; with violence. It's a problem, no doubt, but it's also the best sollution to the problem. At least in my opinion.
Now, as for the most recent of many incidents involving a psycho on a plane, I don't remember hearing that he was carrying a Titanium LaGriffe, a CIA Letter Opener, or even a sharp pencil. But nonetheless, each airline should probably make it policy to conduct a full body/cavity search of each and every individual who boards a plane just so you can nap comfortably in your cramped little window seat with your paper pillow, right? Can you imagine this?? "Good afternoon, Sir. Would you like an aisle or window seat? Coffee or tea? Would you mind bending over and dropping your pants so that I can check your rectum for potential weapons? There, I hope that didn't cause you too much discomfort. Have a nice flight, and thank you for flying Sheeple Airlines."
If I'm on a plane and someone goes postal, I'm going to do my best to get him within arms-reach so that I can slam my Cross pen through his eye socket. There are no tactical knives, there are only tactical people.

Eric Blair

P.S. I sincerely don't care if I've offended anyone. I speak my mind and never apologize for doing so.



[This message has been edited by Eric Blair (edited 12-30-2000).]
 
Eric, I don't recall advocating any more security procedures than already exist. My point is that in our society we have certain rules that are in place for good reason. My objection is to people who like to deride the police or security as morons for doing the job. Now as far as the events yesterday; if the individual who entered the cockpit with the intent to kill himself and everyone on the plane had been carrying a knife we would have been reading about many deaths. I carry a gun everyday and i would like to take it on a plane with me, but i understand why security or airport police would stop me, and verify paperwork ect.
 
If the perp had a blade there very well might've been many dead. But if the pilots had been trained by Carracci or Perrin and had been armed with a LaGriffe, a Commander, or any decent blade, the perpetrator would be a cadaver and therefore a non-issue. Political correctness is an ailment that I refuse to be afflicted with; all too often it results in untimely death.
Having proper paperwork and credentials in no way qualifies someone to be entrusted with my well being, be it in the air or on the ground. I know many cops who know next to nothing about their sidearms and their effective use, yet I know many Gunsite and ThunderRanch grads (some of these men are in law enforcement, but many are not)who I'd gladly entrust my life to if need be.
Calvin made a reference to "Security Officer Joe Moron" which overall sums up the demeanor and mentality of a good many airport cops that I have encountered. Most have no clue as to what is and what isn't a legal blade carry length, so they tend to make up the rules as they go along. This isn't always the case, but it is very typical, more often than not. Don't take my word for it; check the forums for unanimous opinions. You merely took offense to his choice of words because you are in law enforcement and for some reason feel the need to defend everyone involved in law enforcement, good or bad, as though they all fell from the same tree.
I take responsibility for my own safety, and it seems that Calvin (cledford3) is doing the same. Doing so is wise, honorable, and demonstrative of the warrior spirit. This mindset is a responsible mindset, and people of this mindset are the kind that I seek as friends.

Eric

P.S. Calvin, I would consult a knowledgeable attorney familiar with international weapons laws before trying to carry any kind of weapon aboard an international flight. What works here in the States might be totally taboo in France. And if the attorney told me "No, absolutely not, don't take any knives" then I'd probably follow my own gut instinct and carry something almost totally inconspicuous and nearly undetectable such as a Perrin G10 Griffe or maybe a couple of Cold Steel zytel Delta Darts. Or better yet, look up Fredric Perrin when you get to France, buy a G10 Griffe from him there, and throw it away before you board your flight home. Consider it cheap travel insurance and a great opportunity to meet/exchange philosophies with Fred.


[This message has been edited by Eric Blair (edited 12-30-2000).]
 
As a frequent flyer myself, I'd LOVE to be able to entrust my life to myself, rather than others. I see psychos doing stuff to themselves at the expense of others all the time - forefront in my head today is the nutcase who killed 7 people with an AK, and a 12-gauge in a town 20 minutes away from me by car. Why? Because his feelings were hurt that the IRS and his company were going to garnish his wages for back taxes. If ONE of those 7 people were carrying some sort of weapon (and, admittedly, the knowledge and wherewithall of how to use it) maybe the story would have ended differently. Personally - Sorry, John. I don't mean to ramble on, and test your new moderator mettle, but I just gotta gripe for one quick sec, and then I'll shut up. Promise. So. Personally, I'd love to see stricter rules on airlines. It'd make me feel safer. But, the fact is that these security guards and x-ray machine operators get minimum wage, and no special bonus (or something like it) for actually FINDING stuff. If they were paid more, and had a reason to have more incentive to look, maybe 90% of the psychos out there wouldn't get on the plane to begin with. But, until that happens, I refuse to be a statistic because I wasn't able to defend my life when needed. OK, I'm done. Feel free to yell at me, John.
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Chris
 
Good posts and right on target about how it really is.

This may all be a moot point soon. Many Airpots are using DENSITY DETECTORS which
detect ANY density change within the Body's composition. I elaborated on this topic more than a year ago in a Forum topic. In my work and personally I carry a number of different
implements at any given time.
These Density Detectors are allready in operation and make travelling stealth difficult to say the least.
G-10, Micarta, Carbon Fiber and it's Hybrids, Epoxyies are all signature capable w/ this technologie.
So be forwarned if the Buzzer goes off and you have that "Deer in the headlight's" Look on your face at the Airport. This technologie is here and now and only Budgetatry constants stand in the way of it being nationally everywhere and potentially international.
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------------------
"Though a man should conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle,
He who conquers himself is the greatest warrior."

"This is the law:
There is no possible victory in defense, The Sword is more important than the shield, And skill is more important than either, The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental."
 
See2 and all,

We all have our feelings on such matters. I have my own.

Some may be aware here that I'm a Firearms Instructor/Armorer with a good sized Police Department. I also teach a decent amount of non Law Enforcement CCW classes and carry CCW permits from four different States. "Self Defense" issues are near and dear to my heart. Add to this that I travel out of state at least three or four times a year, many of those times by air.

See2 is correct that Airport Security is only a filter. It doesn't, and is not designed to, stop all weapons from getting into the gate areas and thus on planes. Just like Courtroom Security.

If someone is determined and inventive enough, they will succeed. It's a fact of life.

I'm trying to think of a nice way to put this . . .

I'm not really sure what all the discussion is about . . . you can carry a knife on a plane on domestic flights and most foreign destinations. I've done it and there's nothing wrong with it.

Forum Content: Might I recommend a non serrated Mini-CQC7A when they come available.

FAA regs basically say the knife can't be "Menacing". This is left up to the security persons interpretation. A buddy of mine is an Officer assigned to a large International Airport and he daily has people causing a scene about what is "menacing". The Security person has the final word, even over the Officer.

That having been said . . . I'm never "unarmed".

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">"The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." - John Steinbeck</font>
Click to expand...

Again guys, this is a discussion that is better left in the "General Discussion" category.
 
Well said, John. I'll have to look into those mini CQC7As when they come out, unless, of course, I sacrifice the Commander I'm getting to make a CommandAir.
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Can't wait to see how your two come out!

Chris
 
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