Car Key = Switchblade ??

[waterhouse]

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442853

There was a recent thread dicussing switchblades in Texas.

An article in the Austin paper today concerns a man who tried to clear security at DFW. I couldn't find an online copy of the article, but did find a forum post by the guy in question.

He has an Audi, which apparently has a key that folds into a little box (so that the key doesn't poke a hole in your pants pocket, according to the article). I've seen VW keys that are similar. You push a button and the key part pops out. This was ruled a switchblade by TSA and confiscated. The keys are $300 to replace.

Just a heads up, you might want to stick your Audi and VW keys in your checked baggage along with your guns and knives.

 

[Erich]

Both my VW and my Volvo keys do this.

Once again, idiocy from our public servants. Everyone getting their tax dollars' worth?

 

[hso]

Ok, that's just crazy. I think I'd be getting my congresscritters involved and be riding the local TV and newpapers on this. Might want to get Audi and VW US involved also. I've sent Audi Corporate an email asking about the problem and linking the website.

 

[El Tejon]

Time for a wave of angry letters.

Pity that this is necessary.

 

[Zrex]

My wife flew out of DFW airport on June the 4th with her VW "switchblade" car key. She was allowed to keep it.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Soo much wrong here, starting with car keys that cost $300.

 

[logical]

never mind

 

[R.H. Lee]

I thought TSA was gonna give people envelopes so they could mail 'contraband' items back to themselves rather than having it confiscated?

 

[Mr. X]

Soo much wrong here, starting with car keys that cost $300.

Well, if you can afford to drive an overpriced VW....

 

[Erich]

VWs aren't much better - this thread caused me to call my VW dealer to ask what a replacement key would cost for my 2002 Jetta: $250.00!

 

[HankB]

Confiscate a $300 car key?

I wouldn't have made my flight. I'd probably be in jail.

Can it be that there's a move afoot to "test the waters" and see just how much people WILL meekly stand for?

 

[Mr. X]

With all the electrical issues the VWs are plagued with, it probably wouldn't start anyway; hotwire it instead.

 

[Standing Wolf]

This was ruled a switchblade by TSA and confiscated. The keys are $300 to replace.

It's time to hire an assault lawyer.

 

[logical]

I used to think switchblades were knives....learn something new every day.

 

[Cindog]

Did anyone see the tv spot that the guy who had his key taken did? It was supposed to run on June 21st at 1:00 or 3:00 (see here). Has this story been picked up by any of the national media?

 

[logical]

If a terrorist ever attempts to take over a plane with his VW key, I will overtake him with the superior firepower of my spring loaded self-opening mini-umbrella (AKA a switchblade no doubt)......which I took on about 60 flights last year.

 

[scottgun]

How about the combs that look like the old style switch blades?
The TSA would probably confiscate that too.

Has the TSA ever been sued? Can the be sued or do they have immunity like the rest of the gov't.

Its time for some accountability.

 

[TallPine]

In other news, an Audi car key had to be surgically removed from a TSA agent today, in an incident that authorities described as ....

 

[Old NFO]

FYI folks, you have the "option" of exiting the security check point and finding a mail drop to mail the offending item to yourself, OR you can stick it in your luggage and then go back to the main counter and check your luggage (been there, done that TWICE). Mercedes also has the same type key. :banghead:

 

[Jim Diver]

Mailing it back to yourself is fine an dandy, cept you are now stranded at the airport when you want to drive home....

This came to mind when read this.

 

[dpesec]

Jim

Priceless,
but remember this, when you take your shoes off, perhaps velcro would be better. So they don't even trust the people for this.

 

[dev_null]

Good luck finding a mail drop. They removed all the mail boxes in case they might have bombs in them.

 

[P95Carry]

I find it hard to equate (on equal terms) ''blade'' and ''key'' - am I missing something?

They most certainly are - brains!! :banghead: :banghead:

It just goes on getting worse - no wonder I have zero inclination to want to fly commercial, ever again.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Sometimes real life is stranger than fiction.

Will they consider non-folding standard car and house keys as fixed-blade weapons now?

 

[P95Carry]

Will they consider non-folding standard car and house keys as fixed-blade weapons now?

Give it time - give it time! All is possible where TSA is concerned. Heck - a key can be really nasty at making scratches - about as bad as long finger nails.

There's a thought - ''Sorry Sir/Madam - we cannot let you board until those nails are clipped. Oh sorry again - forgot, we have already confiscated your nail clippers and scissors!''