Illinois to Colorado air travel questions...

[Mongo]

Greetings all, I will be traveling to Colorado in a month or so from Chicago/O'hare airport to Denver/DIA airport. I know about (and am unhappy with) the no lock your baggage rule. I hope that I can have it inspected in front of me and locked and labelled. Assuming I cannot, and also even if present, what are the no-no's regarding knives as far as blade length etc.? I will be bringing some kind of slipjoint such as a stockman or whittler for my EDC pocket knife, and some sort of larger blade, either a CUDA Maxx 5.5 folder or a sub 4" fixed blade. Can either of the larger type blades be confiscated from my checked luggage just because of length? How do you suggest that I secure the knives inside my luggage? I'm thinking a plastic zip tie to something. I'm worried that my knives might get either stolen or confiscated (legally or not). I do not plan to attract any attention once in colorado as far as the larger blades go, but I always have one on me, and would feel out of sorts without it.
Thanks in advance for your answers.
Mongo

 

[Mongo]

Anybody?

 

[Gadgetman7]

I've never had any problems with fixed blades or folders of any length but local laws on both ends apply. If it's legal on both ends you should be okay. I have asked them to hand check my baggage, tag it and then I lock it. I've always had TSA comply with no problems. Actually, I have had no trouble with thinkgs going missing. Have a nice trip and enjoy your new knives.

 

[Mongo]

Getting a BTTT here, I think that the length limits in both colorado and Illinois/Chicago would be exceeded with the CUDA, which is kinda disturbing to me.... it has been my EDC since I got it! I think I would feel underknifed without it.
So, has anybody flew with something bigger than the law allows? Somebody please help me, I getting worried that all I'll be able to travel with will be a stockman.
Mongo

 

[Iaido1]

Mongo
Three and one half is the max size concealed,longer you can argue that you were in the act of hunting or fishing at trial, no autos or balsongs. If in the back country exposed no limit, dont let anyone in the peoples republic of denver see any knife, other than the above welcome to the rocky mountians. Dont forget the sunscreen and hat,rain gear, mid weight coat if in mountians allways cool at night at altitude

 

[Mongo]

Well, one more time for a BTTT, but with a clarifying question...
Can a longer than legal blade be confiscated from my luggage just because it exceeds the length limit? Chicago is something ridiculous like 2.5" and I believe the state to be 3". Colorado has a 3.5" limit. So, can a longer knife be confiscated just because it is longer?
Thanks, Mongo

 

[TroyO]

Heyas. As long as it's not concealed it can be any length. It also doesn't count as concealed if it's not available for ready access.... I.E. packed in luggage or the trunk.

There is a specific exclusion in CO for travelling from county to county, you can have an over 3.5" blade concealed in your car. (Not sure why, doesn't make much sense to me.)

I don't remember seeing any mention of balisongs in the CO law, although the LEO's/lawyers might be tempted to mis-interpert the gravity knife that IS mentioned. Denver may have stricter statutes, but I haven't been able to find Denver specific rules yet.

I've never had a problem, and that includes walking through downtown Denver in my renny gear, with a 2 foot short swort on my hip. I had a LEO ask about the costume, (Chuckle... are you in some kind of play?) he never mentioned the sword tho, or even seemed to eyeball it oddly.