Yet another TSA misadventure

Seems to me to be an over-response by TSA.

But that pen was designed and marketed as a CQB pen.

Features

  • Designed and manufactured using state of the art CNC and CAD_CAM technology.
  • Properly placed traction grooves give a good firm grip when using pen in a CQB mode.
  • “Overbuilt” toughness designed to withstand all sorts of punishment
  • Course threads used throughout for extra thread height which translates into a very strong tough thread able to take the punishment of hard strikes.
  • Modular design so the user may add a multitude of 17-4 Stainless Steel end attachments to configure the pen however the person or mission dictates.
  • Made from Aircraft Grade 6061-T6 Aluminum with a Mil Spec Type 3 Hard Coat Anodize.
  • Uses Fisher Space Pen full size refills (pn# SPR4B)
 
halden.doerge said:
So, here I am flying as I have done countless times to Texas to visit the family. And just like every time I carefully make sure all my non-TSA compliant items are safely in my checked bag. Knives, multi tool, teeny tiny prybar, the whole nine yards. And then, just like always, I headed through security carrying only my little AAA o light and my Hinderer investigator pen.

Mind you, I've carried these on virtually every flight gut I've taken in the last few years. Well this time the f*ckers in the uniforms inform me that my pen is a weapon and they're taking it. Yeah.

I might have understood if I had the big huge "Extreme Duty" pen, or one of those pointy warhead caps, but cone on, the Investigator Pen?

I'm furious.
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Can you petition to get it returned? It was obviously not intended to harm anyone. What ever happened to "spirit of the law"? I hope your stolen property finds its way back to you. That or I hope you find a sack full of pre 33 gold coins or silver Morgan's in an old piano or foot locker. That would be good karma for sure.
 
Also, I once saw an old commercial of a BIC pen shot out of a rifle and still worked. That seems pretty durable. Those get through un molested by the 1000's.
 
unklfranco said:
Also, I once saw an old commercial of a BIC pen shot out of a rifle and still worked. That seems pretty durable. Those get through un molested by the 1000's.
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Exactly. If the goal is "improvised last ditch stabbing weapon", they're hard plastic and perfectly adequate for that role. They may not qualify as "tactical" or Close Quarters Battle ready according to the tacticool marketing industry :cool:, but I guarantee you shove that sucker in somebody's neck, you'll put the hurt on them just as much as much as any $200+ Benchmade titanium weaponized pen (http://www.benchmade.com/pens.html). I admit those things are beautiful and classy looking, and would definitely be stronger to survive repeated stabbings :eek: than a plastic pen. But geez, the whole purpose is to get an improvised stabbing weapon on a plane in lieu of a knife, right? And that purpose is already compromised, big time. TSA know what these things are, and increasingly they aren't gonna let anyone carry them, so why even go down this road and spend the money, unless you just want it for the cool looking, classy pen for stylistic reasons? If you get to the point of having to stab somebody with a pen, you are in extremely serious trouble anyway, and I doubt the difference between a $215 titanium CQB pen versus a 50 cent Bic is likely to be the life-or-death deciding factor when you cram it into somebody's neck or upper body.

Tactical pens get my vote for most absurd tacticool industry marketing ploy ever. Seeing these beautiful--but useless for their main purpose given TSA is increasingly excluding them--$215 titanium pens on the Benchmade site makes one realize how absurd all this has gotten. And I even love BM as a company, but they've fallen into it too. People apparently want this, so they are making them.
 
I have an UZI "tactical" pen with the handcuff key in the cap. Will never take this through TSA even though it wasn't too much $$.
 
James Y said:
IMO, dealing with the TSA is a lot like playing Russian Roulette. You may get something through over and over again, but eventually your luck will run out. You'll end up with one of those agents who will have a problem with something that you got through many times before without problem. Or he will want it for himself. Either way, it probably wouldn't help to argue reason or rights with him/her. You certainly don't want to act PO'd or otherwise show attitude about it. Right or not, they will feel they're in the right. And if they're simply psychopathic thieves, whatever you say will have no effect whatsoever. If you choose to argue your right to carry a tactical pen or whatever on a flight, they are NOT going to suddenly stop and say, "You know, I never thought of it that way. Here's your pen back. Have a nice day!"

For myself, I just always assume that if something is even borderline questionable, I'll leave it at home. And what you or I might consider "nothing special" might look dangerous to lots of other people.

Jim
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^ :thumbsup:
 
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image.jpg This is my flight carry. I don't think anything here is marketed or intended to be used as a weapon. What I have is high end, useful tools with a pleasing fidget factor. I guess someone could think the Atwood atwrench could be used as a weapon but it's pretty tiny @ 3" OAL. I have owned and carried a few high end Ti pens on planes over the years with no troubles but none with pointy ends (other than the ball point!). I've discovered that a fancy Ti pen is absolutely not any more reliable than a 10/$2.99 bic. But the items pictured above are practically irreplaceable. From L-R: Handgrey H3 carabiner, Atwood Ti Mega Lanslide lanyard on a SureFire Titan AAA Flashlight, Atwood Ti Atwrench, Countycomm Ti Pico Pull - all held together with an Exotac FREEkey.
 
archieblue said:
View attachment 770116 This is my flight carry. I don't think anything here is marketed or intended to be used as a weapon. What I have is high end, useful tools with a pleasing fidget factor. I guess someone could think the Atwood atwrench could be used as a weapon but it's pretty tiny @ 3" OAL. I have owned and carried a few high end Ti pens on planes over the years with no troubles but none with pointy ends (other than the ball point!). I've discovered that a fancy Ti pen is absolutely not any more reliable than a 10/$2.99 bic. But the items pictured above are practically irreplaceable. From L-R: Handgrey H3 carabiner, Atwood Ti Mega Lanslide lanyard on a SureFire Titan AAA Flashlight, Atwood Ti Atwrench, Countycomm Ti Pico Pull - all held together with an Exotac FREEkey.
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Kinda surprised you've gotten away with the prybar. Nice keyring!
 
hey guys, wanted to get your opinion on this pen (sorry, ignore the rest of the pocket dump). based on OPs story, my gut is saying this might be a no go, but there is a bit of a difference in that the only pointy part about mine is the actual tip, where OP's had a more obvious glass breaker style butt

us0AIm6.jpg
 
I doubt you’ll have issue with that pen. Unrelated to your pen, but any time you have a slightly tactical looking pen, take the cap off so the pen is exposed and keep it in a pen holder in your bag. This keeps the pointy parts hidden better.

I carried this one as described for years with no issue.
23B65067-1FDB-4068-9BB0-C7D8DF3C0065.jpeg
 
ScooterG said:
I doubt you’ll have issue with that pen. Unrelated to your pen, but any time you have a slightly tactical looking pen, take the cap off so the pen is exposed and keep it in a pen holder in your bag. This keeps the pointy parts hidden better.

I carried this one as described for years with no issue.
View attachment 797045
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i've never had a problem with steel or other metal pens. but this one kind of looks tactical, just by design. the problem with my pointy part is that it's the opening of the pen...

i'm coming to a semi conclusion that NO pens made of metal are 100% safe from TSA as it's a judgement call
 
It's unfortunate that the rules can't pass the common sense test. A few years ago I had to go to a federal building and the security team would not allow me to enter with a tiny SAK classic on my keychain. So I opened the main blade, bent it half and said "here you go". If you're going to "steal" my harmless pen knife, you aren't getting any use out of it.

Meanwhile, I can do far more damage with a Bic pen, my leather belt and buckle, a chair, a lamp, pencil, and just about anything else I can lift over my head that is already in the building.

I would recommend Fisher Space pen or a Lamy AL for air travel.
 
josh yu said:
i've never had a problem with steel or other metal pens. but this one kind of looks tactical, just by design. the problem with my pointy part is that it's the opening of the pen...

i'm coming to a semi conclusion that NO pens made of metal are 100% safe from TSA as it's a judgement call
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Well, I have the same pen as you but in copper, so I hope they don't take it :mad:
 
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