When they check your car at the airport.........

Tactical

Tactical

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
331
I had to take someone to the airport today. When you go to park, they check every car and make you open the trunk. I put my Spydie in the glove box to make sure I wouldn't take it into the terminal. But I forgot about my Ontario Machete behind the seats of my F-150 Supercab. They opened the cab doors and looked in but didn't see it. Does anyone think you should remove your blades from your vehicle to just park at the airport? What are they looking for? Perhaps someone who might leave explosives in a car at the terminal, heaven forbid?
 
I also picked up my dad at the terminal in Buffalo NY. (We're from Toronto but it is cheaper to fly out of Buffalo). They also checked our trunk, but we weren't too worried about it. Its just routine and i'm sure they must be looking for explosives or other devices of that nature.
I think that it would be necessary to hide our knives from them, although I don't carry anything when I travel across the American border. I actually get a kick out of it when they make my Dad take off his shoes all the time.

my 2 cents

TornAdo
 
That is my guess too, TornAdo. I have read the threads on not even carrying nail clippers onto a flight. And putting anything resembling a knife into checked luggage. I just usually carry a large blade or two in the truck at all times, and got to wondering if that might give security the wrong idea if they see it. Even if it is staying in the truck. :o Any one have any problems with blades? :confused: Heck I consider that Ontario Survival Machete a permanent part of my off-roader. :D Can I just tell them it is my prybar? :p
*EDIT* My poor spelling.
 
gee....someone finally asked a question that I feel somewhat qualified to answer, primarily on the basis that I was doing the same job up till about a month ago. I'll go ahead and give you my most blunt answer...

In all candor, what that checkover is, is a buncha fuzzy political feel good BS. my post orders pretty much confirm that with statements such as "there is a very special emphasis on public relations at this post" and "we are looking for very big bombs that are at least five hundred pounds" So now the secret is out. You can carry your bombs to the airport all you want, as long as they don't exceed 498 pounds....:rolleyes:

on a more serious note, we weren't looking for knives, axes, machettes, firearms, alcohol or anything else, we were giving a very quick cursory inspection for explosives and that was it. I never gave anyone a hard time about what they had in there car or truck, as long as it didn't resemble a bomb. Not to say that I wouldn't have if something seemed amiss, but that just never happened.

Obviously results could vary according to state, airport, security agency, and the officer themselves, but as a whole, no one is likely to give a crap what kinda edged tools you have in your vehicle, as long as you aren't covered in blood and and speaking in tongues as your eyes roll around or something.

Hope y'alls day is a good one!
 
I have read the threads on not even carrying nail clippers onto a flight.
Click to expand...

They've relaxed a little bit. Basically, they've had a chance to think things through a bit.

Safety razors are now ok in carry-on luggage. Runs With Scissors will be happy to know that he can now run onto his flight with scissors (though his mother would scold him for it) as long as they are small scissors with rounded ends. And common nail clippers are ok as long any attached file does not have a pointed tip (I rounded mine off with my trusty and not rusty Dremmel tool).
 
I'm sure they are just looking for explosives, etc. and not firearms or knives.

BTW you can still check a firearm, provided it is in the proper locked container in your checked luggage, the ammo is stored in a separate container, and you DECLARE it at the check-in counter.

I just did this on a recent trip from CA to VA with no problems. All they will do is have someone (in my case it was an airline employee) check to make sure the firearm is properly stored, then place an "unloaded firearm" tag inside your checked luggage (you sign the tag declaring that it is unloaded as required by federal law). Nobody else knows you have it.
 
As others have pointed out, they are looking for bombs not knives. If the machete was legal to carry in your truck where you were I would'nt worry about it. If you don't want to be hasseled at all just put it in something or some place where it would not be seen by some one doing a very quick check.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. :D Been a little self-conscious of my blades as of late. Great to have these tools around, but I have to make an effort now not to raise eyebrows. :o
 
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