TSA question - are multitools, SAK ok??

[supertool200]

Hi Guys,
I just want to confirm if multitools (like Leatherman, Gerber, SOG) and SAK are ok on-board starting Dec 22?? Are folder ok (like Benchmade Mini-Grip, Spyderco Endura)?? Replies are very much appreciated.

ST200

 

[Chett]

I do not think so, they are only allowing small scissors and tools and such.

 

[madcap_magician]

Why does everyone keep asking this? I swear, in the last two weeks something like six threads asking this same question have popped up.

I mean, I understand the potential enthusiasm, but no, you can't carry knives back on planes yet.

 

[Copper Crayon]

I heard on the radio this morning that the TSA is now allowing scissors and small tools.

I guess "small tools" could be a SAK or a Leatherman Wave....or.......

A pair of scissors made out of S30V sharpened to the freaking max!

 

[bquinlan]

The new regulations still specifically prohibit bladed or edged tools of any kind. sigh

--Bob Q

 

[durbanposion]

i think someone should come out with some tactical scissors, maybe they could be 1/4 inch thick and be bead blasted? maybe have titanium handles?

 

[underaged!]

I'd go for one with grippy g10. And it would be like the Wenger scissors, combo edge(s).

 

[skunked]

Not me. I'm all for the 6.75in G10 handled S60v shafted Phillips driver in a tactical forearm kydex sheath.

 

[OneKnifeMan]

I don't undestand this, take apart a pair of sicissors, you have two fixed baldes.

 

[martin j]

i don't think we should try to dig too deeply in to TSA's reasonings..............

 

[Cougar Allen]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

 

[Nimick]

i don't think we should try to dig too deeply in to TSA's reasonings..............

Their reasoning is probably that with reinforced cockpit doors the chances of bringing down a plane with a pair of scissors (or a knife) is slim to none, but the flight attendents union would (did) raise hell at the concept of knives being let back on as it is a percieved threat to their saftey. a bomb would bring down a plane in peices.

and they want to spend more time looking for bombs.

 

[LSkylizard]

This issue was addressed recently in another thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375904
I will post some relevent material from that thread:

...Beginning December 22, scissors with a cutting edge of four inches or less and tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers smaller than seven inches will be permitted on board. Scissors longer than four inches and tools such as crowbars, drills, hammers, and saws will continue to be prohibited from carry-on bags. Lighters will continue to be banned from the cabin of aircraft and in checked baggage...

..."Flight attendants and passengers should not be put in a situation where a scissors, a sharp scissors can be taken apart and used as a weapon at the throat of flight attendants and passengers at any time," Markey said...:jerkit:

...Well, you get on an airplane. There are a lot of pointy objects. Forks are now again metal. Your Bic pen can be used as a pointy object. I mean, Congressman Markey before 9/11, even though he was made aware of Logan's bad security never said anything. So, I don't put a lot of credibility in what this guys says.

The point is, we need security that anticipate threats, not goes after just some pointy objects, because there's a lot of those things already on an airplane today, anybody can use those kind of things if they want to make mayhem. And in the last four years, if we have an al-Qaida cell that was made up of angry hair dressers, we might have been safer. But that's not the case....

The fact is, on 9/11, the chances are that those box cutters and probably guns, too, got on those airplanes before the terrorists got on. That kind of a hole, the TSA doesn't even consider now...the psychopath get on an airplane right now, and he can take a Bic pen and use it as a weapon. He can take his American Express Gold Card and shave it properly and slit somebody's throat. He can take the fork the flight attendant gives him, which is metal, and use that as a weapon. He can go to the lavatory and rip some parts off the doors and whatnot and make a weapon.

So, taking grandma's nail clippers away doesn't make us any safer...

...says scissors and small tools pose a minimal risk because cockpit doors are now bullet proof and locked. Air marshals and pilots carry guns and passenger luggage is X-rayed...

I for one do not see any reason for some of the excess security measures instituted. I think much of it has been propaganda and display drama to provide frightened Americans with a false sense of security. Somone carrying a SAK or Leatherman onto the plane is not the real issue and the ban on such items is purely for show without any substance.

Let us not forget the individuals that have been in charge of our security in the past are the same individuals strip searching attractive ethnic women preferentially over anyone else! Are we surprised they are now focused on scissors, screw drivers, and SAK type items?

I think the public should be more afraid of the things they don't see then the guy with a sheathed leatherman on his belt.

...What probable evidence do you have that SAKs are either prohibited or allowed after the new rules take ahold?...

Just spoke with the TSA information center as of 17:50 Eastern time by way of the phone number you posted. The answer I received was:.

...pocket knives would still have to be checked as of december 22. The only thing that will change is that you could carry scissors with blades less then 4 inches and small tools such as screwdrivers...

I proceeded to be very specific and asked, "so, I would not be allowed to carry my leatherman multi-tool?" She repeated the following:.

...That is correct. As of december 22, The only thing that will change is that you could carry scissors with blades less then 4 inches and small tools such as screwdrivers...

I will take that as "probable evidence". If further evidence is required, I encourage you to call...they are polite.