People's reaction to Knifeless Fuse

L

LukeC

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
163
So I understand it's use for people who don't want to carry a second knife. But what about actually carrying this tool in "no knife" areas? Do you think the authorities, or bosses, or "non-knife people" will see it and say "wow, good job. You're carrying a useful tool that isn't a weapon"? Or will they just be frustrated by us trying to "get around" their rules? What do you think?
 
LukeC said:
So I understand it's use for people who don't want to carry a second knife. But what about actually carrying this tool in "no knife" areas? Do you think the authorities, or bosses, or "non-knife people" will see it and say "wow, good job. You're carrying a useful tool that isn't a weapon"? Or will they just be frustrated by us trying to "get around" their rules? What do you think?
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I think that authorities may feel annoyed because they might feel they'd have to put in extra effort to scrutinize the tool to check whether it has a blade. Plus I could see them taking issue with the scissors anyway, so the whole idea may be moot. Is John and Jane Doe going to see a knifeless fuse and know that it doesn't have a blade inside? No, so it might even cause panic, with the carrier cast as a villan. Also consider the amount of discretion the TSA and probably others have; I was thinking of getting one but unfortunately I think it would still be too much of a hassle.
 
So for those who have already read the story, sorry. While recently traveling through a "no knife" area I had a Swiss-Tech 6-in-1 Tech on my keychain. Several times over the course of my journey I had to pass through magnetometers, (empty your pockets, etc) No problem. At one checkpoint, one person decided that the rules said, "no tools", therefore my Swiss-Tech had to go.

Moral of the story: Even when you are right, you can still lose. Your EDC decisions remain your own.
 
You're not "getting around" their rules. You're complying with them. Tools less than 7" in length are okay on planes. Scissors of a certain size are also allowed. If a certain person doesn't want to allow your Knifeless fuse or wants to take your Swiss-Tech, ask to see a supervisor. Don't hand over your property just because the person on the other end doesn't know the current regs. Visit the TSA website for a list of prohibited and allowed items. It spells it out plain and simple.

Pete
 
i agree. call the supervisor, but remember that you wont win when you fight with security people
 
Schmecky said:
i agree. call the supervisor, but remember that you wont win when you fight with security people
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I tend to agree with you. It is very rare indeed for a supervisor to overrule one of their people in favor of you. Even if they are indeed wrong, a reason will be found. Then you have the all-inclusive "interference with operation of a security checkpoint". It is their house and their rules. Even if they just made them up.
 
Yeah, I guess I can understand that no one wants to do more work than they have to... but if you're going to limit people freedom, don't expect the them to go out of their to make your job easy. That's my 2 cents anyway.
 
LukeC said:
Yeah, I guess I can understand that no one wants to do more work than they have to... but if you're going to limit people freedom, don't expect the them to go out of their to make your job easy. That's my 2 cents anyway.
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I agree they will usually win. But if we all complain enough and in a reasonable manner it should make a difference. I have seen the changes at the local airport. My Leatherman Fuse and the Micra that I modified aren't even questioned anymore. Several of us complained and maybe it helped make a difference. Now this is a small airport but you have to start somewhere.
 
One TSA officer announcing loudly to the entire checkpoint "I need a Supervisor, I have a knife here". Suddenly, all the passengers eyes are on you and tensions go up. PANIC? Probably not. Yes, I have seen this exact scenario happen. How do you think some of these same passengers felt when the "offender" later boarded the same flight they were on? Remember, most people won't know the details and even fewer will understand that maybe TSA was wrong. To my way of thinking, the lower the profile the better.

For those you say that education is the way to improvement. I whole-heartedly agree. But at the checkpoint when I'm trying to get on a plane is not where I would choose to do my teaching.
 
mnblade said:
Aside from on the scene at airport security in, say, Tel Aviv, what is a scenario where this might even come CLOSE to causing "a panic"? :jerkit:
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What do you think?? Members on this forums should know better than anyone about the way non-knife people feel about knives, and there are plenty out there, so how do you think they are going to feel about someone getting a multi-tool, which almost always includes a blade, through airport security?? Note that I even said "may". Is it really that implausible? You're entitled to your opinion, but I can't believe you'd have this attitude about it... even if "panic" was a strong term to use.
 
I just tried this, when I went on vacation. Interestingly enough it wasn't the scissors that caused a problem. It was the can opener. I tried to send the knifeless fuse through with my carry on luggage. They pulled it off the xray conveyor, grabbed the fuse and opened all the tools on it. I told the TSA guy it didn't have a knife. After he got the tool open, he noted that it didn't but said he had to ask a supervisor. He then left with it and came back and said the supervisor said the can opener had a blade on it. He stated that if I could remove the can opener, the rest was ok. Of course, I really couldn't do that there so I ended up mailing it home from the post office kiosk.
 
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