[brownie0486]

I found a weapon system in one of my drawers today that I had forgot about but then thought it might be worth mentioning here.

Large bandana with a one corner sewn holding three lead washers. Put it in your back pocket as a kerchief.

I'm sure everyone has snapped a towel right? There you go. Even in public you can slide it between your belt and pants folded over and hanging loosely is very quick to presentation.

It can also be used to disarm and defend your self against a knife or club.

Brownie

[Ol' Badger]

I work at a large Airport in No. VA. I get through security with a book page weight. It's leather with two lead weights at the ends, to keep the book from closing on you. Think small sap! If It ever does cause me trouble, well hay I got it at my Waldens!

[ACP]

Both great ideas, as is -- I would guess -- a metal Parker ballpoint pen, minus the refill.

[Elmer Snerd]

Let us imagine that you have a cloth tote bag as your carry-on. Perhaps you could reinforce the handles and bottom with extra stitching to increase the bag's weight capacity. Hypothetically speaking, you could buy a cheap glass or stone paperweight(or a similar hard, heavy, tourist knick-knack) or a heavy book at an airport shop. You might even choose to gift wrap it. Hang on to the receipt. Place your Perfectly Innocent Last-Minute Gift for your Aunt Martha in the bag. Do not whack anyone with this combination of Seemingly Ordinary objects because weapons are forbidden on airplanes. The Air Marshals will protect you.

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

A good metal or hard, thick plastic ballpoint pen sure beats trying to explain that plastic/glass-fiber 'CIA letter opener' you just got found with. For that matter, you can snap a CD into a crudely effective push dagger for an exposed throat.

I still feel nekkid, though.

Regards,
Rabbit.

[Crimper-D]

Along with a nice 8oz bar of soap! Drop the bar into a sock or a pair of nylon Knee-hi's = instant sap!:D :evil: - with about the same striking force as a Num-chuk:neener:

[Stickjockey]

What Crimper said, with one modification: use a can of soda. Ups the weight to 16 oz. Also remember that in the event of a terrorist attack, your seat cushion can be used as a shiel--I mean, an floatation device.

[SAWBONES]

Specialized glass fiber composite "edged" weapons and pointed stabbing weapons can be carried through airports and customs checkpoints onto planes on your person, as they produce no magnetic-metallic signature, though such are likely to be considered an infraction of the posted regulations, of course.
They can be had in formats the shape and size of bookmarks, credit cards, and ball point pens.

Having said this, I prefer a good cane, eg. from Canemasters.
I've carried mine in the USA, Canada and Europe with no trouble from the vested authorities anywhere, and the ADA guidelines don't even permit said "authorities" to question your reason for having such. A staff-type stick is obviously a potent impact and striking weapon.

A good strong standard metal ball point pen in the pocket makes an excellent stabbing weapon as well, at need.

With a little thought and ingenuity, many common personal items can obviously become improvised expedient weapons or defensive aids, and even the most misguided, naive and cowardly of the "Mommy State" politicians and powers can't make them ALL "illegal" to have with you.

Nonetheless, I trust that no one here is inordinately paranoid about air travel as regards hijacking-terrorist activity.
The Al-Queda style incidents of 9/11/01 will probably never be attempted again in this country, and if such were again attempted, I expect that a large fraction of passengers, even if unarmed, would rise up and overcome the terrorists.
Still, being personally prepared for dealing with aggressive physical threat at any time is a good thing.

Best.

[ruger357]

Another vote on the heavy metal pen.

[DrPsycho]

The bandana & washers sounds like a great idea - I might give it a try. :)
The pen is also great - any suggestions on cheapies/throwaways? I don't think I could justify replacing Parker's everytime I needed to use one for non writing purposes.

A cane or walking stick unfortunately doesn't work well for under most 30's. ;)

[only1asterisk]

I'll throw in mini flashlight with lanyard, welded key ring on a strap, any thing small, heavy and hard that can fit into a sock. I like the bookweight idea. I'll look for something similar. I really don't forsee much chance that I'll ever have to defend myself on a plane, but I'm the kind of person that wouldn't mind helping a flight attendent out.



David

[wingnutx]

I prefer a cue-ball in a sock. I take a pair of tube socks and some heavy object every time I fly.

[hillbilly]

I saw this on a bowie knife web site. I've tried it, and it hurts like hell to get jabbed with one.

Take on airplane magazine, ideally one with a square spine and glued pages. Open to the middle or very near the middle.

But if you have a stalped airplane magazine, just turn to the middle where the staples are, and then turn one more page.

Take out of your wallet two dollars worth of quarters.

Put the quarters in row up and down the magazine. The edge of the quarters should be in the crease where the pages form the spine of the magazine.

Close the magazine, and then roll it as tightly as you can.

You now have a rolled magazine with a spine of metal. The weapon is not a striking weapon, it is a stabbing weapon.

According to the website, you could break ribs with this thing.

I made one and jammed it into my other hand, and the top of my thigh with force. It hurt.

I then dented the top of a cedar coffee table using an overhand stabbing motion.

No need to get anything through security save for good ole American currency. The magazine is waiting for you in the airplane.

hillbilly

[hillbilly]

Found the website...


http://www.alliancemartialarts.com/bowieknife4.htm