[Gord]

Yeah, yeah, I know, I figured this one was already hashed over a dozen times, but a few searches for things like "plane carry" and "plane weapon" came up with a bunch of "how to fly with my guns" thread and this (http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=6711&highlight=plane+weapon), which is a bit short. Sorry if I missed something, if so, please link me!

Anyone have suggestions on what TSA will green-light? I'm already planning to take a few metal pens; I can't think of much beyond that. I'd prefer to hear from people who've successfully flown with whatever they're recommending.

Thanks in advance.

[JShirley]

Uh...I could give you some martial artsy sound bite, like "be the weapon". Basically, think of things that can buy you an instant if necessary, but that are legal anywhere. Loose change and small flashlights fit those descriptions, and are useful, regardless.

J

[Rupestris]

Here is the TSA list of what can and can not be carried on a commercial aricraft:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#4

I carry a SwissTech Pro XL multi-tool (no blade so its legal) with the LED light/key ring attached. You can find 'em here:
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?ttl=Swiss%20Tech%20Products&srch=eqCATE%20CODEdatarq%3Dswt

[Sir Aardvark]

Get a nice Surefire flashlight (not the one with the "Strike Bezel" crenelations).

Not only do you get a handy-dandy flashlight, but, in a pinch, they make good strike tools.

[Gord]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I've been wanting a Surefire anyway.

Uh...I could give you some martial artsy sound bite, like "be the weapon". Basically, think of things that can buy you an instant if necessary, but that are legal anywhere. Loose change and small flashlights fit those descriptions, and are useful, regardless.

J

The "be the weapon" people always make me wonder if they'd be okay wrestling a bear hand-to-hand. Mental preparedness is obviously top priority, but the fact is that against an attacker with a knife (or a bat, or any other weapon) a bare-handed fighter is at a distinct disadvantage. :)

The flashlight I'll look into, and I'll likely have some change...

Are the G2 Nitrolons worth getting? I know I'm not going to get a super high output weaponlight for $40, but if it's not that bright/sturdy I may as well get a $6 mini-Maglite. What would you recommend? Under $100, please.

[Pax Jordana]

You're a tactical ninja for Bog's sake, use that WMD mounted at the top of your spine! :-P

(edited), and where you're limited in equipment (note the TSA bans throwing stars in carryon baggage) you'll have to make up for it in savagery.

Note writing implements are not banned.. so you should be OK with your pencils/pens. Heck, wear long tube socks and pack yourself a nice heavy bar of soap. Improvisation is key here. Think macgyver.

Or are you concerned for your safety once you get *off* the plane? In which case you're basically asking for advice on disposable weapons (if you can't take it out there with you, you probably can't take it back..) in which case a box cutter from the local dollar store, or a knife from the nearest reputable restaurant, etc. would perhaps serve you best.



Added, later: Those "$6 mini maglites" are hella bashers. I have one I found on a floor somewhere, I couldn't find the owner for, that I have been sincerely trying to break for about a month and a half now.

[Kankujoe]

The "be the weapon" people always make me wonder if they'd be okay wrestling a bear hand-to-hand. Mental preparedness is obviously top priority, but the fact is that against an attacker with a knife (or a bat, or any other weapon) a bare-handed fighter is at a distinct disadvantage.

While I am one of those "be the weapon" people I wouldn't feel comfortable facing a bear with my bare hands, a flashlight, a knife, baseball bat, or even my usual CCW pistol. But I would do what I had to do (win or lose).

Advantage/Disadvantage is not solely dependent on either parties weaponry. There is so much more to it than that. The best in each situation is to use effectively that which you bring or can press into service at the time.

Given the thread at hand... I routinely carry a small pocket light and a stout pen with me when I fly. I carry my typical CCW array all other times & places that are legal.

[V-fib]

On my trips to Belize and Costa Rica this year I carried a large metal ink pen on the plane. (You need a pen anyway to fill out forms before you land). It’s really unclear in some of these countries if you can even carry a knife around so I put a 5-6” pair of pointed end scissors in my checked luggage. When I land in the country I retrieve the scissors which I cover with a small length of plastic tubing to keep them from poking a hole in my pants. They make an excellent stabbing tool if needed.:cool:

[Joe Demko]

A good sturdy pen is legal everywhere and has many self-defense applications.

[hockeybum]

a good pen with a laser pointer :cool:

1) stab the bad guy

2) blind the bad guy

3) annoy the hell out of the guy sitting in front of you :evil:

[1911JMB]

A roll of duct tape and 5 magazines combined with 3 or 4 minutes in the airplanes bathroom will give you the ballistic equivelant to a baseball bat.

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Ever notice how close a mini-Maglite is to a Kubaton?

While Kubatons are a NO-NO on the plane, mini-Maglites are perfectly fine to take on the plane. I've done it many times, just sent it through the Xray with my keys and cellphone.

Get some Kubaton training and practice. Take a mini-Maglite.

[ugaarguy]

Beyond a solid pen, and good flashlight, there isn't too much I can think of to fly with.

Are the G2 Nitrolons worth getting? I know I'm not going to get a super high output weaponlight for $40, but if it's not that bright/sturdy I may as well get a $6 mini-Maglite. What would you recommend? Under $100, please.

The G2 Nitrolons are quite nice, and they have the exact same 65 lumen output as their aluminium bodied stablemates. I bought one for my grandparents - they love that it's bright yellow so it's easy to find and that it's such an incredibly bright light that's light & easy to carry when the dog needs to go out at night. I also bought another for my sister, and it was nice for her as a social worker if she had to enter a house with poor lighting, no power, etc.

Given, the G2 runs $35 to $40 and the original Surefire, the 6P is only about $20 more so still easily under the $100 price cap. The 6P gets you the same light as a G2, but with anodized aluminium body and a lockout tail cap. I went with a 6P, and family got G2s because they wanted the bright yellow color body. The 6P was, and may still be, available in the red, white, and blue anodized patriotic addition at the same price as the black model if you want something with a less intimidating look.

Staying in that price range is the Surefire E1e "Executive Elite" hard anodized, slim body, single cell light. I've been carrying one in my pocket for the last 3 months in Iraq and it's a very bright little light. It's held up very well to bouncing around against keys, and a cigar punch in, and a knife clipped to, the same pocket.

I've also used a Streamlight Night Com, which is a two cell aluminium bodied light. It's a got a high output xenon main bulb, two medium output red LEDs, and one very low output red LED (other LED colors available). The Bulb/HI LEDs/LO LED/Lockout is selected via a rotary switch on the light's head. Xenon bulb output is good, but not as tightly focused as a Surefire, so the Surefires, even the single cell E1e, seem brighter when shined into someone's eyes, but the Streamlight covers a wider area. The tailcap switches also feel more solid and are of a larger diameter on the Surefies. Lastly, the Streamlights are made in China, and Surefires are US made. On the other hand, the Streamlight Night Com was only $40, and a Surefire with both Xenon buld & Aux LEDs would cost 3 or 4 times that, so the minor criticisms of the light are even less significant when price is factored in.

Anyway, there are tons of other really good tactical style flashlights beyond the ones I listed for under $100. You can fly with them, and you'll also find yourself using them all the time once you own one. Surefire's prices on lithium batteries are nearly as low as alkalines, so they're still pretty cheap to feed.

[jpr9954]

Don't forget your car keys can be used as a weapon. Isn't that what self-defense class teaches women to use?

As to pens, I live my UniBall Micropoints which tend to be fairly sharp and pointed. Gripped like a push knife, I think they would do a lot of damage.

A roll of quarters also would pack quite a wallop. You could explain it as wanting change for vending machines.

John in WNC

[JTW Jr.]

things I always had in my belt pouch when I traveled
Rotring 600 Pen
Lamey Swift Pen
Tom Anderson Titanium Yo-Yo
2 6 foot peices of 550 paracord
Surefire E2e
Barry Jones G10 & Titanium Stylus for my PDA
and always wore a Perrin Bracelet

but sure glad the new position doesnt make me travel at all anymore :D

[p35]

Any idea if TSA would get uptight about a length of vinyl coated wire cable? I sometimes have about 3' of it rolled up in a pocket- the sound it makes hitting a heavy bag will make you cringe.

[Kankujoe]

Any idea if TSA would get uptight about a length of vinyl coated wire cable? I sometimes have about 3' of it rolled up in a pocket- the sound it makes hitting a heavy bag will make you cringe.

I think that your travel plans would possibly be delayed and you would be making some new friends.

However, I do have a 3 foot length of lockable cable that is sold in Travel stores to secure your luggage when traveling but I don't think I've taken it as carry-on.

[Rupestris]

Any idea if TSA would get uptight about a length of vinyl coated wire cable? I sometimes have about 3' of it rolled up in a pocket-

If you carry a laptop computer on board, you could probably carry one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/CQ410U-Defcon-Security-Cable-Lock/dp/B00006B90N

I have one for my company issued computer but have not tried to fly with it.

[Unisaw]

I have a G2Z Nitrolon that I keep in my briefcase and have carried on a plane many, many times since 9/11. TSA has never had a problem with it. The flashflight has been super -- I am considering getting another one to keep in my GunVault.

[Gord]

Any way to explain a cable lock (for a firearm) if I don't have a gun or a laptop? They're heavy and I have a spare lying around.

I'm just not eager to lose my cavity-search virginity.

[hso]

Stay away from things that are not standard consumer products as they invite attention.

A couple of 6oz cans of Bluebird Orange/Grapefruit/Grape Juice purchased in the sterile area and packed with a tube sock is very easy to carry. Considering the little cans are steel you get a bonus.

Rotring pen.

Steel carabiner with your keys on it.

Short roll of duct tape.

Paracord woven and knotted into a bracelet.

Rat tail comb if you're traveling with a lady friend.

Look through the house for anything that can be used to rake or stab or thrust. Keep swinging tools to a minimum and make sure they're all short.

[DragonRider]

Put a T-lock adapter on it for your laptop, and say its to lock the computer up at the trade show.

When traveling, I wear or have the following available with me

Boots
Wilderness Instructor Belt, with the heavy metal buckle:evil:
1 Inova X1, normally in my cargo pocket with a laynard hanging out
1 Mazzoluil Fountain Pen, bout 8 inches long, 3/4' in diameter
Laptop to be thrown or over the head, data is backed up, If I survive the encouter, I expect I will get another:D
A hanging bit of 550 cord daisy chained, when undone is about 5 feet
Locking carabiner, combined with cord, short mace

John

[mdao]

< 7" screwdriver. TSA allows it, and I can't think of anything more appropriate for an improvised stabbing weapon.

[Gord]

< 7" screwdriver. TSA allows it, and I can't think of anything more appropriate for an improvised stabbing weapon.

Wow. I thought that was too good to be true, but yeah, they do. Now I just gotta figure out how to explain a lone 6" flathead rolling around in my luggage.

I'll stuff a few cheapo metal-barreled pens into my carryon along with a notepad so they don't look too out-of-place. I'm not going to be taking my keys (shuttle service) but a carabiner clipped to my belt, and a bit of 550 cord tied around it and then around the Surefire in my pocket (so I don't lose it, ossifer, really - I'm clumsy and I drop it all the time!)... three in one! Or d'you think that'd be overdoing it a bit much... :p

[Guncrazy45]

The 6P was, and may still be, available in the red, white, and blue anodized patriotic addition at the same price as the black model if you want something with a less intimidating look.

Just to let you know, the red/white/blue Surefire 6p does not come with a lockout tailcap. At least, they didn't when I bought them a couple of years ago.

[Geno]

How many of you have ever tried this? When I owned my TKD school, we used to have the students engage in restricted environment defense. By that I mean to say, a self-defense situation within a confined area. It is so much more difficult than most consider it to be.

Find a room the size of an airliner isle, set out some chairs and have two or more people attack you. The ground rule is you may not move out of the area. Wear white t-shirt and have the attackers use red crayon as their make believe knife. See how you fare.

I assure you, the experience will open your mind about the limitations in linear combat. A word of caution...be very careful. Some people tend to panic if pushed too far too fast. When that happens, they can go quickly from practice, to out-of-control panic.

Want to make life real interesting? Try the same in the back seat of an automobile.

My point is this. If you have never tried self-defense within extreme closed areas, you have little idea of what does and does not work, or where on your body you ought to carry it. This is one of the reasons that in both Chang Hun and Sohng Ahm TKD, we do NOT teach weapons. The body and mind are the weapon.

Just my 2 cents.

Doc2005

[hso]

Excellent post!

[Gord]

Indeed. I'll have to try that sometime.

[Tse Gee La]

Knitting needles was on the approved list, just learn how to knit.

[MacPelto]

Last time I flew, I took 2 snack-pack cans of fruit cocktail and an extra pair of socks. Use your imagination.

Mac

[Zero_DgZ]

When in doubt, hang on to your meal tray.

You could hurt somebody with one of those things. Unless they've switched to sissified styrofoam or something in the 5 or 6 years since I last flew.

When I last flew... Crikey. I was going to Atlanta and handed the screener my Benchmade along with my keys and other junk, he looked at it, and gave it right back to me on the other side of the metal detector. Seems like a lifetime or three ago, doesn't it?

[Boom-stick]

Here's some ideas for you:evil:

http://datacenter.ap.org/wdc/fbiweapons.pdf

I know it's dated, but they all still good...

[tellner]

Take up Shakuhachi playing. Hit someone upside the head with one of those and he won't be doing much.

[Boom-stick]

I'd rather just take the newspaper most airlines leave on seats, roll it up tightly then fold it in half and leave it in the seat pocket infront, just incase....



Now I just gotta figure out how to explain a lone 6" flathead rolling around in my luggage.



Why just take one?

Surely a small set would be preferable??

[jmorris]

Go out and get you one of those “pro rodeo” belt buckles, yeah the one that looks like a hubcap. Have it stitched into a belt; you would have an offensive and defensive tool.

[Coyote3855]

Interesting thread. A friend of mine traveled with a small notebook/pocket secretary that had pockets for four sharpened #4 lead pencils and a six inch steel ruler that somehow had a sharp edge for half its length.

Others have mentioned that the seat pocket magazine when tightly rolled is a formidable thrusting weapon, think a straight ahead forward upthrust to the underside of the nose.

When working out, I noticed that my flexible ankle weights (basically a long fabric bag filled with birdshot with a velcro strap) is not that different from a traditional sap. "My doctor said I need to do leg exercises on the flight to prevent blood clots...."

Yes, the mind and the body are the weapons. After five years of empty hands martial arts training, I decided that any weapon at all be an advantage, at least at my level of skill. Attitude and situational awareness AND a weapon of any sort.

Wonder what the guys on Flight 93 had in hand when they took the plane away from the terrorists?

Coyote 3855

[Sean Dempsey]

Ceramic Glock 7 is what I carry. :evil: