Knives & Airports

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Going to a family reunion next mo - live in OR & family is in CA -
I'm flying & Id like to take a few flippers to show my bros. How can
I do this legally?

TIA!
 
Somewhat more inclined to agree with EyeDog- the airport might steal them & you can probably get insurance for your packages.
 
Somewhat more inclined to agree with EyeDog- the airport might steal them & you can probably get insurance for your packages.

I'll concur--either TSA scumbags or scumbag baggage handlers are apt to steal, and you'll have little to no recourse in either circumstance. The other option, not yet discussed, is simply to drive. Longer time but cheaper cost, and you carry what you damn well please throughout. This is what I'd do, that or bail on the trip.
 
I would probably ship them like EyeDog said. Otherwise, if you can disassemble, check the blades and wrap them in dirty underwear or something and carry the handle/scales on.
 
I travel on almost a monthly basis. I put my knives in the pants pockets in my checked bag and never had a issue.
 
Oregon to Cali, I'd enjoy the road trip... I currently live in PA and lived in NJ before this, and I almost always drive when I go see my family in FL.

But if driving isn't for you, or isn't an option, spending the $ to ship a small box is the way to go. FedEx, UPS, or even USPS with insurance. You even can plan to have them arrive the same day you do. Leave them there as gifts for your bro's, or Mail them back, but the small cost for addrd security and peace of mind is worth it IMHO. Especially if they're nice(r) folders.

I don't trust the TSA, they don't all steal, but it's well known that some of them do, and as stated by others, little you can do if one decides to swipe your Knives after scanning your bag and sees them in there.
 
I travel internationally often and have often had knives packed in my check in luggage. I just make sure they are not
illegal types at my destination just in case customs goes through it. Never had a problem.
Not all TSA workers are thieves and USPS/FEDEX/UPS can lose your package too. I would just pack it in my check in bags.
 
I worked in a place where many of the employees traveled and have heard many horror stories of disappearing items and the nightmare of reporting them.

That said, if I was doing more leisurely travel at the moment and *I was checking bags anyway* (not always the case), I would probably get a "travel knife". Something of decent enough quality for $10 or so and check it. I wouldn't check anything of great value t̶o̶ ̶m̶e̶ , period.
 
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I travel on almost a monthly basis. I put my knives in the pants pockets in my checked bag and never had a issue.

+1 I've never had an issue. That said don't ever pack an expensive or irreplaceable blade. I have a regular stock of "travel knives".
 
Mail them. I have packed knives in my check in luggage when not traveling to visit friends/family. If you decide to carry them with you make a video of the knives you are placing in your luggage, a copy of the airline info (date, flight number, etc) and you locking the knives in the luggage.
 
mail them. I once traveled with an M390 Para military 2 sprint.... I put it in my shoe. I opened my luggage to the knife out of the shoe and right on top of my clothes with a TSA pamphlet in the pocket clip LOL
 
I have never had a knife stolen by the TSA. They always go through my luggage due to my electronic parts for work. I don't praise the TSA, but 50 plus flights in 10 yrs, never a knife stolen. Some of you falsely accusing need to reign it in abit. Since the flipper is not legal in CA, you need to mail them probably.
 
When I fly with a hand gun, along with carry knives that I just seem to have with me I put them in a tsa approved pelican or pelican style case. The tsa approved case I have has two tsa approved, and keyed for tsa, locks built into the case. It also has two reinforced loops for external padlocks. As soon as I arrive at the counter I declare the firearm to the airline agent, fill out a simple form, then request a tsa inspection at that moment. I go to the tsa counter, they look at my case and its contents and ok it. I then lock the tsa locks and lock the two external padlocks (padlocks they don't have keys for) in front of them. One of the padlocks goes through a cable attached to the internal frame of my luggage. At that moment the tsa sends it directly to the plane because it has been pre inspected in front of me. To clarify the tsa approved case goes inside my checked bag, which is also then locked with a cheap small tsa approved padlock. This same procedure could possibly be used, you just wouldn't have to declare it, just go straight to the tsa and request a inspection at their counter. I am not sure if you must have a firearm to request a inspection a the tsa counter, but maybe worth checking in to.
 
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