Forget about flying with your “key” knife

berettaprofessor · Jul 30, 2022

A few weeks back the THR collective was helpful in advice about my first time flying with a firearm. You were all correct, it was a complete nonhassle. However, my folding “key” knife, about 1.5 inches long and purchased a decade ago for $1, was confiscated. I’ve flown an average of three times a year with it for as long as I’ve had it. Evidently the rules changed from the original <2.6” okay. Nothing sharp at all anymore in carryons.

don’t lose your key knives everyone!

Sistema1927 · Jul 30, 2022

Nothing changed. No knives, of any size, since 9/11.

F-111 John · Jul 30, 2022

You got lucky in the past that the TSA were either too lazy or too inattentive to notice your Novelty knife in the past.

Armored farmer · Jul 30, 2022

I just stow my current favorite or two in my checked bags. Not a big deal really.....

Double Naught Spy · Jul 30, 2022

Maybe you can get you knife back. They have been holding these auctions for years...
https://travelinglight.com/tsa-auction-confiscated-items/

CapnMac · Jul 30, 2022

Sistema1927 said:
No knives, of any size

Per their own web page, "pocket knives" can be in checked baggage.
And "nail clippers" can be in carry-on.

But, all that is down to what the Alert status is at the specific airport, and if that specific airport is using its own SOP for things.

There had been a rule that you were allowed a 50mm long blade--victorinox pen knife size--but, that appears to be superseded (again).

Beigh TSA PreCheck seems to matter, too. I flew with a Victorinox Gentleman's Companion several months in a row mixed in with the pocket clutter, only to have to give it up on one trip through DFW. $5 knife, so, not an issue to me.

herrwalther · Jul 30, 2022

TSA took my approved e-lighter I got in a German airport over a decade ago. They pretty much make up rules as they go.

Rubone · Jul 30, 2022

My wife lost her mini Swiss Army knife with her dad's last business name on it to the TSA, and she is a Federal Employee with FBI clearance with one of her jobs as part of a disaster team.

jonnyc · Jul 30, 2022

I always stash my duplicate Kershaw in a checked bag and carry nothing objectionable through. TSA apparently went into my checked bag last week as the knife was removed from its box and returned loose to the pocket. A bit odd, but no harm...no foul. Over the years I have lost a couple of knives and a drilled bullet on a key ring to TSA over zealousness, but no big deal.

hso · Jul 30, 2022

berettaprofessor said:
Evidently the rules changed from the original <2.6” okay.

Nope

On March 6, 2013 the TSA announced that it was going to allow blades less than 2.36 inches back on planes starting April 25. April 23, two days before the new rule allowing small knives back on planes would go into effect, TSA announced that it would delay the change due to backlash from various groups (I watched the most ridiculous claims being made during that month and a half). The change to allow small knives back on planes died before there was any implementation. While there was a month of hope, knives have never been allowed by TSA on flights since the 9/11 reaction. Plenty get through TSA screening, especially small ones, but that's just luck. Luck runs out.

Atavar · Jul 31, 2022

You can even lose your fingernail clippers

westernrover · Jul 31, 2022

There was supposed to be a rationale that once the cockpit cabins were secured with doors, tiny knives would no longer be a concern. Pre-9/11, a lot of cockpits were totally unsecured. Nowadays, they are all secured on jumbos -- and this, not a key knife, was exploited by Andreas Lubitz.

The problem is, once you lose a freedom (liberty), it's very hard to get it back. The precedent was well-established for the TSA to enforce these restrictions, and reversing it after cabins were secured doesn't appear to have happened.

jmorris · Jul 31, 2022

Yeah, I remember when smoking on air planes was cool, ash trays were in the arm rests back then. Lots of things have changed since those days, some even for the better.

old lady new shooter · Jul 31, 2022

hso said:
Nope

On March 6, 2013 the TSA announced that it was going to allow blades less than 2.36 inches back on planes starting April 25. April 23, two days before the new rule allowing small knives back on planes would go into effect, TSA announced that it would delay the change due to backlash from various groups (I watched the most ridiculous claims being made during that month and a half). The change to allow small knives back on planes died before there was any implementation. While there was a month of hope, knives have never been allowed by TSA on flights since the 9/11 reaction. Plenty get through TSA screening, especially small ones, but that's just luck. Luck runs out.

But last I heard they greenlighted knitting needles. Has that changed again?

JCooperfan1911 · Jul 31, 2022

I’ve had them confiscate a P38 can opener from inside my wallet.

If someone can successfully hijack and airliner using a P38 can opener, every single person aboard that aircraft deserves their fate.

DeepSouth · Jul 31, 2022

Similarly to the op, at our local county courthouse they have a deputy and a metal sector at the door. I always set it off as I work for a living and am required to wear steel toe boots, I also wear a 80’s S&W brass belt buckle.

I keep a small key knife on my key chain, about 1” blade. I have some deputies look at it and say “sorry that’s a no go, you have to leav it here with me.” I’ve had just as many say “yeah that not a problem.” and even chuckle like why you even ask.

It just depends on who you get. I have no doubt they’d miss it every time if I didn’t point it out and ask.

starnbar · Jul 31, 2022

Yeah I feel real safe especially when they took Joe Foss MOH and wouldn't give it back makes you wonder if these people even understand English it says what the medal is right on it.

Spats McGee · Jul 31, 2022

How about someone post a link to the rules & regs? That way, we can have a discussion fit for Legal.

CapnMac · Jul 31, 2022

Spats McGee said:
How about someone post a link to the rules & regs? That way, we can have a discussion fit for Legal.

It's a real rabbit hole.
Looks like we start at 49 USC 114: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/114
Where we find

(e) Screening Operations.—The Administrator shall—
(1) be responsible for day-to-day Federal security screening operations for passenger air transportation and intrastate air transportation under sections 44901 and 44935;

And

(l) Regulations.—
(1) In general.—The Administrator is authorized to issue, rescind, and revise such regulations as are necessary to carry out the functions of the Administration.

So, then, 49 USC 4901 : https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/44901

Eventually, I got to 49 CFR 1562.23: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/1562.23
Where the last paragraph sent me to 49 CFR 1540.111: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/1540.111
Which tells me all about explosives, firearms and ammunition, but nothing about prohibited items.

We will likely need a better sleuth than I.

CapnMac · Jul 31, 2022

Ok, found this in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/02/14/03-3736/prohibited-items
It offers some gems like (italics added):

Prohibited Items
The prohibited items list includes items in the following categories: Weapons (guns, sharp objects, club-like objects), explosives, and other dangerous items such as incendiary materials and disabling chemicals. The list contains examples of items in these categories, but it is not an exclusive list.

Further (italics added):

Weapons also include sharp objects that could be effective in intimidating or harming passengers or crew. These include knives; devices or instruments with razor blades, such as box cutters, utility knives with razor blades, and razor blades that are not components of safety razors; and metal scissors with pointed tips. Also included in this category are sharp or pointed tools and utensils such as screwdrivers, drills, and axes. Screwdrivers that are components of eyeglass repair kits, however, will be allowed in sterile areas and in the cabin.

The, way further down (italics added):

Interpretation
I. Prohibited Items. For purposes of 49 U.S.C. 40101 et seq. and 49 CFR 1540.111, TSA interprets the terms “weapons, explosives, and incendiaries” to include the items listed below. Accordingly, passengers may not carry these items as accessible property or on their person through passenger screening checkpoints or into airport sterile areas and the cabins of a passenger aircraft.

A. Guns and Firearms.
[ellipsis]
B. Sharp Objects.
(1) Axes and hatchets.
(2) Bows and arrows.
(3) Drills, including cordless portable power drills.
(4) Ice axes/Ice picks.
(5) Knives of any length, except rounded-blade butter and plastic cutlery.
(6) Meat cleavers.
(7) Razor-type blades, such as box cutters, utility knives, and razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors.
(8) Sabers.
(9) Saws, including cordless portable power saws.
(10) Scissors, metal with pointed tips.
(11) Screwdrivers (except those in eyeglass repair kits).
(12) Swords.
(13) Throwing stars (martial arts).

(how a cleaver is not a "knife" or a saber not a sword is beyond my ken)

(For @old lady new shooter Knitting and crochet needles are listed as allowed items in the cabin under "Toys"--this subject to local TAS interpretation,of course.)

hso · Jul 31, 2022

Knitting needles are approved inside the sterile area of the airport and aircraft cabin.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/sharp-objects

TSA agents ultimately have discretion to deny items as being too dangerous.

hso · Jul 31, 2022

CapnMac said:
how a cleaver is not a "knife" or a saber not a sword is beyond my ken)

Not sure what you're saying, but Cleavers, Sabers, and Swords are all identified as prohibited at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/02/14/03-3736/prohibited-items

I. Prohibited Items. For purposes of 49 U.S.C. 40101 et seq. and 49 CFR 1540.111, TSA interprets the terms “weapons, explosives, and incendiaries” to include the items listed below. Accordingly, passengers may not carry these items as accessible property or on their person through passenger screening checkpoints or into airport sterile areas and the cabins of a passenger aircraft.

B. Sharp Objects.

(6) Meat cleavers.
(8) Sabers.
(12) Swords.

old lady new shooter · Jul 31, 2022

CapnMac said:
Knitting and crochet needles are listed as allowed items in the cabin under "Toys"--this subject to local TAS interpretation,of course.

Thanks.

hso · Jul 31, 2022

If you want to know what TSA allows or prohibits https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/dyk-you-can-asktsa-ask-us-we-dare-you...

You can take a picture of what you want to bring with you in the cabin, go to their Twitter or FB Messenger app, post the pic and a question if it is allowed. I recommend you print out the response and take it with you with the item you sent the picture of so you can show the response to the TSA agent if there's any question.

illinoisburt · Jul 31, 2022

You don't have to lose a knife or any other prohibited item. If you do not wish to put it in check luggage and dont mind some cost/wait to get it back, you can simply declare you have the item at TSA check and they will put it into return mailer. You fill out a form and provide credit card info for postage and handling. Its not super inexpensive (there is a schedule for each item and knives are about $30) nor quick but the company will call you to verify payment amount and let you know when it is sent. I would not bother with inexpensive items but anything monetarily or sentimental in value can be retained without leaving the airport. (Still recommend checking it if thats an option.)

Forget about flying with your “key” knife

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