No pocket knife for you. Nope, Nada.

W

Will.223

Joined
Mar 1, 2000
Messages
459
My wife and I just got home from a vacation which involved a long flight. I was told, by the airline, that I couldn't even have a Swiss Army "Classic" in my watch pocket. I'm 51, and this was the first time since the age of 4, that I couldn't have ANY type of folder in my pocket. I felt like there was a huge void where my usual rotation of folders would have been carried. (I even had carried a folder in my robe pocket when I was in the hospital.) Waiting at the gate for my flght, I felt a hangnail. I unconsciously reached for the Victorinox "Executive" to file it off. I have always carried an "Executive" in addition to a regular sized folder. IT WASN'T THERE!! Now the words were ringing in my ears-"NOPE, NADA, no blades of any type". A little "steamed", I went to one of those over-priced airport kiosks to purchase an emery board. To my shock, I was told that the FFA had came through the preceding week and collected all emery boards because they thought someone could fabricate an effective weapon from an EMERY BOARD! Thoroughly disgusted at this point, I returned to my seat where for the next two hours, I sat. And the next ten hours in flight I tried not to make the hangnail worse. I finally bought another Executive when we landed so I could cut the hangnail off. However, on the return flight, the new Executive had to be placed in the "checked" bags. Oh, I almost forgot about trying to eat on the plane. We had to try to cut the airline "food" (?) with these little plastic knives. It was impossible. I looked around to see people eating with their fingers. If you wanted a bite, you had to pick up the "mystery meat" and eat it with your fingers. I promise--all this is true.

Will
 
Dude....uhhh...I dont *want* to sound like a jerk....but.... Where have you been??
There was this little incedent, on 9/11, and its been all over the news, and the forums, especially the part about no knives, fingernal clippers/files being allowed onto airplanes, because the FAA(Federal Aviation A$$holes? ;)) has clenched their rectums in a standard sheeple fit of media B.S. inspired panic.

I mean...seriously....its been ALL OVER the news, the forums, the internet, everywhere! Even outside the U.S.!

*Just doesnt understand how someone could have missed it.* :eek: :confused:

(BTW, if its any consolation, I totally believe what you said!)
 
I went back and reread my post and I don't see where you got the idea that I somehow "missed" the terror attack on this country. Like many others, September 11 is burned into my memory forever. I HAVE been absent from the forums for quite a spell, however my post was only meant to illustrate what an actual airline trip now entails. To insinuate that the terror attack went right over my head is a little insulting. I didn't say I had gone to the airport with a pocket knife, just reporting that, at the counter, I was told NO BLADES OF ANY TYPE, including a "pocket knife that is the size of a Victorinox Classic". The airline employee then pointed to a sign with a big hand holding a little red Classic with two fingers, behind him. I then told him that I knew the new rules and the only thing in my pocket was a key.
I also wanted to illustrate the absurdity that an "emery board" could be fashioned into an effective weapon. I knew all the new rules regarding nail files, clippers, tweezers, etc..., BEFORE I checked in. Do you understand now?

Will
 
It is well known that you can take absolutely no knives of any kind on to a plain on your person or in any carry on items. The fact about the emery board is new to me, but it does not surprise me at all.


Edited to correct more typos.
 
Exactly! I'm happy you got the point of my post. It was, in fact, so difficult for me to believe the "emery board" thing that I went to a few other kiosks just to see if it WAS true. Sadly, it was. Emery boards are now considered a "weapon material". Also, the part regarding having to eat with my fingers made me feel kind of "medieval". As I looked around, anyone who wanted to eat, was using their fingers. I kept hearing "SNAP!, SNAP!". For a while I couldn't figure that out, but it was the plastic knives and forks breaking as people tried to eat their dinners.

Will
 
Expect this ignorance to continue until we finally get uniformed, armed sky marshalls on ever flight. I imagine the only reason we haven't been required to board all flights in chains and handcuffs is that it would cut in to profits. The reason why some maniacs could hijack these planes and kill thousands all comes down to profit motive.
 
I think the point of Will's post is to show that some of the actions taken given 9/11 are absurd. They ought to ban terrorists from airplanes, not emery boards. The next batch of terrorists will be trained to use their hands to kill, or they will sneak what they can on the planes anyways. Some of what is going on is over-reaction, and some of it is opportunism.

Case in point is the upcomming G8 summit here in Alberta. In the summer, 8 of the rivchest countrie will meet to decide much of our financial futire. Given the "threat" of a "terrorist attack", they are now locking out the meeting from outside involvement. yes, that means our right to protest was taken away. I haven't heard of any specific threats to the G8. I think that the gov't here is taking advantage of recent times to get rid of protestors. They like doing that here. Last year at a summit meeting a protest area was made for protestors that was quite a distance from where the meeting was being held. What is the point? Designated protest areas? Gimme a break.

Or, look at actions being taken along our Canadian/American border. I keep hearing on t.v. comparisons between Canada and Mexico. Mexico has half the border size with the US as Canada does byt they have 16 times more border guards! So, the US gov't is working on sending National Gaurds (I think) to beef up security. BUT, it is claimed that the border is not being militarized. First of all, I say that Canada isn't Mexico! You can't compare the two and cry at the "lack" of border guards. There is a reason that 9000 Americans guard the border with Mexico and only 500 guard the border with Canada. Gimme a break! And, to say that bringing in troops to the border with Canada isn't militarizing the border is a slap in the face. I am fine with more help going to the border if it is needed. I suspect after 6 months of added security at the border with nothing happenning, things will get scaled back. but don't say that the border isn't being militarized.

The problem about 9/11 that I see is many haven't learned the right lessons. Banning emery boards on planes won't stop these attacks. You can't ban everything and guard every spot. I like what UnixDork said about chains and cuffs. Wouldn't it make sense to restrain passengers? How can anyone hijack a plane if they are cuffed to their chair? Heck, there's the solution then! No one can hurt anyone if they are chained up. And, the airlines can charge a handcuff rental fee to pay for them and re-coup losses. Sure, this is a joke but this is the logic being used to justify actions like the banning of emery boards on planes. And is sucks ass.
 
So I guess I won't be able to carry one of my "Bowie knives" with me on my next flight???.:eek:.

How about my steel Cross ink-pen? (Couldn't that be thought of as a weapon?).
 
A friend of mine was at the airport also. Awaiting a different plane bound for a different destination. (Although still in Europe.) She was caught with fingernail clippers in the folds at the bottom of her carry-on bag. She was not trying to skirt the new rules, but being a traveller, the little clippers were there and probably HAD been there for a long time. The airline people went bonkers and called her fingernail clippers a "deadly weapon". (I'm not sure how you could say that with a straight face.) Anyway, she gladly gave them up. It was obviously just an oversight on her part. When she took her seat, the flight attendant brought her a glass (REAL glass!) of wine and a small vinyl bag. In the small bag were various items a person might need for the long flight--ear plugs, night shade, tooth brush and paste, and (you guessed it!), a pair of fingernail clippers and a nail file!
She could hardly wait to call and tell me the story!
Silliness abounds!

Will
 
It is absolutely pathetic that we will have to eat our so called meals with these plastic implements, but it is now a way of life and we are going to have to get used to it. I can't help feeling that because of all these changes in our way of doing things that the terrorists have won a victory. They have caused so many changes to be implemented out of fear, that it really makes me sad.
 
Frankly, at this point I'm amazed someone hasn't tried to ban ballpoint pens or pencils. If they're worried about emery boards, you'd think they'd absolutely freak over a fountain pen...

I truly believe that if someone stood up on a plane, brandishing a pocket knife or boxcutter or whatever and said, "This is a hijacking!", the odds of him making it off that plane w/o serious injury would be very slim. Those hijackings were successful solely due to the publics perception at that time of what a hijacking was -- fly somewhere, land, and negotiate for hostages. If the people on those planes knew that they would be crashing into buildings those hijackers wouldn't have stood a chance...

Doug
 
I had a similar incident on a domestic swedish flight. I was not allowed to bring my LM Micra aboard. But... I could bring my Cuetec Strickland folding cuestick in its sheath :) I find it a lot more useful for inflicting bodily harm than a tiny Micra.
 
i would have though uniformed skymarshalls would be better, since the would be terrorist wouldnt know who they have to take out.


just a thought


i think skymarshalls have always been uniformed? havent they?
 
I find the restrictions against knives as ridiculous as everyone else here and can only hope that sooner or later cooler heads will prevail.In the meantime,if I`m going somewhere that I can drive to in 10 hours or less,I`m staying off a plane.Not because I fear flying but merely because a 10 hour drive translates to about a 3 to 3.5 hour flight.By the time you park,check your bags,and clear security it`s been about 2 hours,then a 3+ hour flight,reclaim your bags at your destination,1 hour and take a cab or whatever to your final destination,I don`t see that much of a time savings by flying.Factor in the cheap gas prices we are currently enjoying and the fact that driving,you can carry any damn knife you like,even a deadly emery board,and for me the choice is clear.Drive.
 
They kept violating security codes, the goverment kept badgering them about those violations, and NOW they want a goverment GRANT?? :confused:

In my opinion, because they didn't listen in the first place,let the airlines suffer.

Carver,
I doubt it that those polictial and enforement jerks will ever cool their heels.
Human bevavoir is like a penlum, always swinging from one extream to another.
 
I think we should ban anybody over 5'10" or 150 lbs from boarding an airplain. We wouldn't want some large musclebound thug forcing their way into the cockpit. That would be terrible! As for those little smart shifty ones, well we are working on a plan...

Flying use to suck. Now it's up there with a root canal. Actually, I would rather head to the dentist. It is over quicker and I don't have to lug 50 lbs worth of bags through two miles of terminal.

Hmmmm, what ever happened to air rage? We haven't heard much about that since 9/11.

n2s
 
To answer Mike 21's question, the only Skymarshals I've ever heard of flew plainclothes and tried to blend in. Some foreign airlines have used uniformed guards, or so I've read.

I really like the restraint idea, but I prefer large animal cages. Don't forget the water bottles, milkbones, and of course, the shredded newspaper on the floor.

As for "air rage," all of mine has been expended cursing the stupid FAA right here on the ground.

Karl
 
I heard once that only 1/10th of 1% actually really NEEDS to fly, stay home or drive. Help drive the airlines into bankrupcy, and let them know why you are not flying. Money talks, maybe then they will listen.:mad:
 
My personal opinion, I'd rather have everyone on board carrying a weapon than theoretically having no one armed. There are always ways to get around rules if you have a few functional synapses. Prime example, the guy here in Phoenix tried to get on with 4 plastic knives. Woulda been successful if he hadn't been stupid enough to wear enough metal otherwise to set off the alarm. :rolleyes: Don't know what his motives were and I'm completely willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but thats beside my point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top