- Joined
- Dec 16, 1998
- Messages
- 1,066
The FAA published regulation states that fixed blades are forbidden and that any folder equal to or longer than 4" are forbidden. There is an unpublished addendum that states that anything the security checker considers to be "menacing" is forbidden. Recent interpretations to "menacing" include serrations, tanto blades, and locking blades. All of these interpretations are made by the security subcontractor or the airline they work for and may be modified towards the more restrictive if the local laws are more restrictive.
While going through Denver I had to wait while my attache was searched because I dumped the contents of my pockets into the case to prevent having the metal detectors go off. My GT Mini didn't cause any trouble, except for the renta-guard trying to open it. The Spderco Bob-T didn't cause any trouble, once the same fella laid it across his "regulation-size" palm. The thing that took the longest was trying to figure out what that itty thing showing up on the x-ray they kept talking about was. I had trouble until they let me take a look and I realized they were imaging my wallet with my Tool Logic in it. The nice supervisor passed on everything, but informed me that Denver had a 3" knife blade limit.
What do I do now? Get there early and carry any plain-edge 3" locking folder without a tanto blade. (I won't carry a "finger amputator".) If asked about it I quote the regs tiredly, pull my scale from my planner and, if I have to, ask for the pilot to make the decision. So far I've never had to ask to talk to the pilot.
As a LEO chum of mine told me look like an average citizen and no cop will even look at you. If they do - be polite, don't act nervious, and answer the questions put to you truthfully except for one- the knife is a tool and you've been carring it ever since you had to cut the seat belt in an overturned car.
Take care,
Mike
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TANSTAAFL
While going through Denver I had to wait while my attache was searched because I dumped the contents of my pockets into the case to prevent having the metal detectors go off. My GT Mini didn't cause any trouble, except for the renta-guard trying to open it. The Spderco Bob-T didn't cause any trouble, once the same fella laid it across his "regulation-size" palm. The thing that took the longest was trying to figure out what that itty thing showing up on the x-ray they kept talking about was. I had trouble until they let me take a look and I realized they were imaging my wallet with my Tool Logic in it. The nice supervisor passed on everything, but informed me that Denver had a 3" knife blade limit.
What do I do now? Get there early and carry any plain-edge 3" locking folder without a tanto blade. (I won't carry a "finger amputator".) If asked about it I quote the regs tiredly, pull my scale from my planner and, if I have to, ask for the pilot to make the decision. So far I've never had to ask to talk to the pilot.
As a LEO chum of mine told me look like an average citizen and no cop will even look at you. If they do - be polite, don't act nervious, and answer the questions put to you truthfully except for one- the knife is a tool and you've been carring it ever since you had to cut the seat belt in an overturned car.
Take care,
Mike
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TANSTAAFL