SInce when are knives allowed on airplanes?

[CaptaiN_JacK]

I was coming back to the States from Amsterdam today and forgot my Swiss Army knife in my pocket after I had checked my luggage. It's the smallest knife Wagner has, with a 1 inch blade, filer, scissors, a toothpick and tweezers so I figured, Hey, I have enough time to waste, why not try and get it through security. So, I did. I put it in a tray and it passed through with only quick glances and affirmations from the two security guards working the conveyor belt.

Then, on my connecting flight from Philly to Chicago, I forgot it in my pocket again. And then I got it through security again (this time I put it in my carry-on backpack).

It's been a long time since I've flown in the States, and never before have I tried to bring a 'dangerous item' on board, but I was shocked to see how relaxed security has become since the post-9/11 security lock-down. It's only a 1 inch blade and I'm grateful that they let it pass because it has a lot of sentimental value, but a knife is a knife and can be a very dangerous weapon in the right circumstances.

Although if I looked like a 'terrorist' (in the broadest stereotype of the word) and not a small white kid I doubt they would have let it pass.

I've been told today that you can now carry and under 3-inch blade on planes now? Is this true?

[wetwrks]

I've been told today that you can now carry and under 3-inch blade on planes now? Is this true?

Don't belive it.

[govnamac]

The international airport workers aren't as stringent as US ones.

[Engus]

The international airport workers aren't as stringent as US ones.


except he said he got thru both the amsterdam airport and the philadelphia one with the knife

[BlackVCG]

I got through Charlotte to San Fran with a Schrade multi-tool (basically a leatherman) and when I got to San Fran and had to go to the other terminal I went through security again. This time the lady called for bag check, found it and took it. I honestly did not know I had it in my laptop bag, but I evidently made it through Charlotte just fine... The lady said she had to take it from me and then she asked me where I was coming from, I told her I came through Charlotte and she said something like "Well, we're better than them." Gave me my bag back and away I went...

[Ken Majors]

My kid was flying to Kansas City with a 4 foot masonry level, and they said it was a weapon and had to be checked.

They took my fingernail clippers last year. Said it was a weapon.
When I complained, they took me to a little room and stripped searched me.
Stood there in my underwear for 10 minutes....my wife had no idea where I was.
They had a long discussion about a minimag lite, and decided to let that stay in my carry on.

Pretty sure that it depends on where you are and who is on duty.
It won't be long before you will have to "show your papers" to some jackbooted nazi just to cross state lines.

[neppo1345]

From someone who flies a lot:

Airport security is strictly regional.

There are some airports that I have accidentally taken small knives through, never taken out my bag of liquids, never taken off shoes...

And then there are the airports where I get held up at security for an hour because they can't see, to find the tiny bottle of cologne (a sample bottle < 1oz) that fell out of my toiletries and won't let give my bag to help them find it.

To answer the OP's question: Knives ARE NOT allowed on aircraft no matter the size.

[CaptaiN_JacK]

I guess I got lucky. Now I'm just mad that I threw away my previous knife (same exact style) right before the security check point at the A'dam airport on my way to Switzerland. I was running late and figured I might miss my flight if they decided to pull me aside and question me about the knife.

This whole experience has helped answer my questions of, How tight is airport security? and, How effective are the conveyor scanners? (the latter has a lot to do with practice and experience though)

[robnix]

Because TSA is a joke?

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/10/new_tsa_report.html

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/28/tsa.bombtest/index.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/business/yourmoney/17digi.html

http://hotair.com/archives/2007/07/16/a-pilot-on-airline-security/

http://jetlagged.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/the-airport-security-follies/

They even admit it's mostly a show:

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/07/20/tsa-head-calls-light.html

[mtaylor]

My mom carried one of these onto a plane, no issues:
http://www.minterkarate.com/proshop/kubaton.jpg

And one time going through security in Mexico, I'm pretty sure the metal detector was turned off.