Items on commercial flights?

Wesley

Wesley

Joined
Feb 14, 2002
Messages
36
Hey all,
I'm a newbie here who needs to elicit some help regarding items on commercial flights since 11 Sep. I have read through the previous posts, but none address the changes since.
Those who regularly carry a knife, SAK, multitool, pocket tins, etc.,
what is legal to have on person or in carry-on luggage now, and what do you routinely carry aboard?
Thanks,
Wesley
 
I don't think anything with a blade is legal to carry on board the plane, which means I have to check my luggage because I'll damnsure have a knife or 2 again within minutes of getting off the plane. I've started carrying a roll of dimes in my briefcase. A roll of coins in the fist gives a 'heavy hand', dropped in a folded bandana or a sock it's a pretty effective billy. Don't forget your leather belt (improvised nunchuks/hand wrap shield) and carry a big kubotan-sturdy inkpen like a Montblanc.

All that and a death-before-dishonor attitude.:mad:
 
Some items I have heard of security not allowing on planes: nailfiles and fingernail trimmers, disposable razors, a brooch with a 1 1/5 inch pin on the back, _plastic_ knives, and anything else that could be construed as 'sharp'.

I personally shy away from discussing what I do or might carry for personal protection, so it can't be quoted for 'intent' purposes, but from the side of me that worked camp maintenance for a number of years, I carry a flat-rolled pack of duct-tape, and plan on acquiring the first plier/screwdriver/keychain thing I can find for less than 10 bucks that has nothing resembling a cutting implement on it. I also always have a flashlight or two on me/in my bag(carry-on). After a multi-day power outage that gave me a little mroe respect for electricity, I've upped the size of the light in my bag. And, lastly, for my own enjoyment, I own a couple bamboo flutes, of the solid, take-camping-with-you variety, in alto scales (my personal favorite is an E flat) and frequently one of those is in my bag.

My biggest beef about the current security status, is that if I desired to, I could bring a very effective combat knife on board with me, I would just have to have it made out of something non-magnetic. Shoot, my understanding of the security systems leads me to believe the Titanium stage swords made for theatre would pass right through the metal detectors, and cut nicely through a person if sharpened a bit. But, since I prefer to stay on the legal side of the world, I am not allowed to carry the pocketknife or belt tool that I walked around society with for years. I don't have a solution to make both sides happy, but my side ain't happy.

Stryver
 
...what about survival type gear?
What can I take on my flight that I would normally carry in a pocket tin, etc. that is still legal?
I take it fish hooks are probably also out.
Thanks,
Wesley
 
Guys,
You can pretty much take any edged weapon (don't know of anything you can't bring) you want, it just has to be in your checked baggage, not the carryon. The airlines generally have a long restricted list of stuff for CARRYON at their counters or you can call your respective airline. No big deal, check it and get it on the other side...if it is expensive, though, might want to invest in some "serious" luggage that can be locked or even declare/insure with the airline (much like one does with rifles/shotguns).

Glenmore
 
So what can you carry in case of a plane crash? It does you no good in the cargo hold of a burning plane. The answer so far is "not much". My first airline trip after September 11th they confiscated my totally bladeless Swiss Tech keychain pliers and screwdriver (and I mean totally small, bladeless, and pointless).

So if your plane drops off the radar at night in the Rockies, what do you make sure you have? A warm coat and your disposable Bic lighter. They'll find you within 24 hours, but you could freeze by then. A friend of mine went down in a small commuter plane about 20 years ago. When he got in the plane his wife insisted that he put on his down parka. The crash broke his back, luckily there was no fire. As he lay paralyzed in his seat he listened to other passengers freeze to death.
 
Jeff,

That is a heck of a case of "what if"...for most "normal" (ie large passenger JETS) civilian airline flights, that knife isn't going to help you much as all that JET-A fuel makes you a crispy critter. Smaller birds, including helos is another story, but not with the flying bulk fuel lawn darts. Not having that belt ripper (historically) hasn't helped with surviving one of the jumbo crashes. Granted, it might, but risk/possibility of you/I needing that knife is IMHO outweighed by little johnny muhammed wanting access to edge weapons for another purpose.

I said what I said in my previous post because it seems misinformation is prevalent nowadays unless you've personally been on flights since 11 Sep. Prior to my first civilian flight, I had to ask some buddies what I could show up with at the airport...I'd read some threads similiar to this one and thought "they'd" put me shackles if I even crossed onto airport property with some of the tools I have...wrong.

regards,
Glenmore
 
Wesley,

Welcome to the board. You will find a lot of info here by some great guys.

Glenmore,

I had one aircrew the other day tell me to get everything I had issued to me put on a letter and have it signed by my flight/battalion commander so I could prove it was essential. I will be going to 7-level school and I will be carrying probably 5 knives of sorts, a pack stove, and other gear so I keep wondering what the airlines will think. I really don't look forward to going through international airport security. I wonder what the Japanese are going to tell me as I buzz along. Any info you can relate would be helpful, thanks.
 
logansan,

Got back a week ago from five days of TDY in the Bahamas. Flew United/BahamasAir from Fayetteville-Charlotte-Miami-Nassau going down and American Eagle/Delta from Georgetown-Miami-Atlanta-Fayetteville coming back. No problems...military ID AND official travel orders are the key (and I kept my carryon sterile--checked one bag)--because of layovers and switching airlines, had to leave secured areas and reenter multiple times...everyone seemed to already know the deal with official military travel (multiple airlines makes me believe it is an FAA/DOT edict). Going back down for alot longer in the near future and I'm going to have flight gear (some of the stuff in ALSE vests would raise some eyebrows normally) and other excess baggage, but none in my unit have had any trouble in the last four months (all official travel down there).

Hope this helps answer you question.

Glenmore
 
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