another travel thread, different questions

[highorder]

I'm going to Germany for a conference next month, and I have some questions about how to pack. I don't anticipate any problems with my Surefires in my checked bag and on my person, but what about folding knives in my checked baggage?

Anyone have any experience with carrying a folding knife in Germany?

Any other suggestions about travel to Germany? Do I need an adapter for my cell charger? What else don't I know that I don't know? I will be in safe places with good people for the duration of the trip (so I'm told), but it never hurts to gather intel before jump off.

thanks!

 

[Mandirigma]

Watch out for the "turks". Granted this was when I was out and about at Rammstein. (Dunno where you'll be)

Idiot friend of mine got us into a fight with some of the locals. Ended up being a brawl with people coming at us from out of the woodworks. Apparently the "turks" in the area hate hate hate americans. With the base being right there the locals are always itching for a fight.

 

[highorder]

I will be in Frankfurt, and not fighting anyone;


anyone have any insight into strange laws, etc?

 

[Tribal]

You definitely need a plug adapter for your electronics. IIRC, they use a weird four-prong plug and the voltage is different from ours. Adapters cost about $25 and are probably about the size of an apple.

 

[rrruuunnn]

when i was in switzerland, we used voltage converters. that sometimes didn't work or burnt. you might end up buying a new charger in germany. check the voltage for germany.

 

[Siderite]

Carried a CKRT M16 two years ago in Berlin, right around the time of the world cup. Had no issues most places, but was stopped when I tried to walk through some of the world-cup event areas. They were doing pat downs and bag searches in response to a stabbing earlier in the week, and turned me away.

 

[highorder]

so the general consensus seems to be that I can carry my surefire and a folder without much hassle?

 

[Titan6]

I will be in Frankfurt, and not fighting anyone;


anyone have any insight into strange laws, etc?

The you should know that the highest crime area in the city is right outside the main train station in down town near the convention center (Haupt Bahnhof). This is the red light district that provides thousands of prostitutes to all the visting businessmen that come to the convention center year round for the trade shows and other events.

Turks roam the area day and night (more so at night) selling hash and while they will not often prey directly on businessmen and rob them they are quick to anger and have many associates in the area that they will call upon suddenly to assist them. They may follow you down the street aggresively trying to sell you drugs if they key on the fact that you are an American.

Prositiution is legal in this area but drugs are not so buying some could get you sent to jail. Also drinking and driving carries a prison term so that is a bad idea also. The police by and large are polite and reasonable and even helpful so long as you are polite and reasonable. If you become irrate or uncooperative expect to get the full treatment.

It is best to avoid this area altogther and enjoy the rest of Frankfurt parts of which are quite nice. For good food, beer and night clubs be sure to visit Sachsenhausen.

In an interesting turn of event switchblades are perfectly legal in Germany. I don't know about carry laws but I carried one every day for years and never had a problem.

If you ride the city train in Frankfurt be sure to buy a ticket before you get on the train. there is no ticket taker, but there are agents who roam the trains at random and will collect a stiff fine (payable on the spot) if you do not have a ticket.

 

[highorder]

that is great intel. Thank you!

I will be flying into Frankfurt and taking the train to Düsseldorf for business. Can I get my folder out of my luggage between the airport and the train? What is the security like in the train? (any metal detectors, etc?)

What are the repercussions for defending yourself? Am I better off using blunt trauma than a blade?

Thanks in advance for the intel.

 

[Titan6]

What is the security like in the train? (any metal detectors, etc?)

There did not used to be any metal detectors. I doubt if that has changed but am uncertain. The trains are extremely busy and that type of security would really slow things down. Other than the ticket agents it is not unusual to see police on the train, but not real common either. You will see police at the airport, perhaps a lot of police. They carry assault rifles, subguns and work with bomb/ drug sniffing K9 units. I do not know the answers to your other questions.

 

[highorder]

thank you. I will PM you if I have more questions.

 

[Match14]

You can always look up the number of the German Embassy and ask there. I went to Germany in 02 and never had any problems regarding carrying a knife, I even bought a short sword/ long dagger and didn't have any trouble at the airport. Do watch out for the turks, stay in highly visible areas, and try not to be alone at night. But definitely check with the embassy, things may have changed.

 

[Nick_90]

There are no metal detectors at train stations in Germany. However, I am not quite sure that carrying a folding knive is legal, especially if it is a switchblade. In fact, it probably is illegal (it is illegal here in Switzerland and Switzerland is usually much more relaxed than Germany regarding weapons...)

I'll try to check that tomorow and give you a definitive answer.

 

[Nick_90]

OK, I have found the answer.

Carrying switchblades is now illegal in Germany since the new Waffengesetz as well as carrying any knive with a blade longer than 12 cm (around 4.7 inches). So beware!