SwissTech UtiliKey and the Airways

Warriorsociologist

Warriorsociologist

Joined
Dec 12, 2001
Messages
1,670
Hi everyone. I currently have an UtiliKey and a Leatherman Micra on my keychain. I was hoping that by taking the leatherman off, I could likely pass through security checks and the like. Don't get me wrong...I am not some guy out to smuggle "dangerous weapons" onto our nation's airways...but I don't like the idea of being completely without man's most basic tool. I have carried a Lansky (polymer) knife on airplanes in the past (neck sheath) (most of the time it doesn’t matter because I am traveling with military orders on a chartered plane…no check required)...but I am afraid if I were discovered carrying a polymer neck knife now, I would be branded a criminal.

Thus, I was wondering if anyone here has tried carrying an UtiliKey through a security check. Was it seen? Did it work?

Again, please don't read into this thread some sort of attempt on my part to be deceitful...I am only trying to protect my right to have some (humble) form of EDC (emphasis on the E part) and I think that being allowed to carry a UtiliKey is a small favor to ask. I am not looking for a flame war about box cutters or human rights...just practical, real-world experience and opinions.

Thank you...I yield the soapbox to another :)
 
As to the UtiliKey, I doubt if it will be picked up on but, if it is, you will lose it at the very least. Furthermore, because it is disguised as something else, the ramifications could very well be worse. As to a polymer knife or any similar device, if you do carry it & it is found, you will be in deep dodo.

What are the chances of having a covert weapon found? Much better now than prior to 9/11. I took several flights in December and was selected for a random pat down on one of them. It wasn't very thorough & a non-magnetic neck knife would not have been found; however, if it had been in a pocket, it would have been. My profile: middle aged, gray hair, well groomed, white guy. A neighbor just came back from FL & told me that airline security broke the 1" nail file off her nail clipper (with her permission -- it was that or lose it all together) at one check point & subjected her to a random search, complete with x-ray of her shoes, at another. Her profile: about 70 yo, retired banker, all of about 5' tall.

Without going into detail, there are plenty of ordinary items that could function as improvised weapons without getting you into trouble with the law. IMO, it is simply not worth the risk. if you want to have a knife at your destination, put it in your luggage & check the bag.
 
I second what Brian said. While U.S. airport security remains largely a joke, ideally it'll become more professional. And when that day arrives you don't want to be standing in line with anything bladed, metal or non. I've been thru Munich several times since 9/11. There they manage to do airport security right. Everyone gets thoroughly hand-searched, including the contents of your wallet. I don't think you could get anything through, metallic or otherwise, the days I've been there.
 
I accidently carried one on my carry-on bag and it got through no problem since it was with a bunch of other keys. I won't do that again since it isn't worth the hassle if the security finds it (highly unlikely). I don't much care for the Utili-Key but it is better than nothing. As for that plastic knife, I definitely would not carry that anywhere near an airport. Just throw everything in your check-in luggage and retrieve it when you pick it up. It's not that bad to be w/o a blade for a couple hours, honest.;)
 
I also am limited to what I can carry these days.
I work in an office building that just installed metal detectors and x-ray machines.
Usually have at minimum a Spyderco Delica but now down to carrying in a Ladybug..which does NOT set off the metal detectors. Yesterday I came in, accidently, with a CRKT Delilahs P.E.C.K. ...and IT did set off the metal detector but the guard was too busy too notice ?

anyway , I digress..I always have a Utilikey on my keychain , as does my wife. But I think when I go to airport I would take it off.
No use getting into trouble. But I really do not like the way things are headed for knife carriers.
People need to remember that knives are tools.
 
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