I've had a tiny Swiss Army Tinker knife on my key chain for over 40 years and have lost 6 or 7 to security people because I forgot to take it off for an airline, concert, government building, etc. and have to surrender it. They now have the same knife that is "so called" TSA approved version that doesn't have a blade but has a bottle opener and Phillips screw driver. I'm wondering if anyone has one of these and will pass security everywhere or if you still get hassled? I hate not having a knife blade, but I use the tweezers, toothpick, and scissors quite often.

Hmmmm seems like a Phillips screwdriver could be a weapon. I don’t like it.

Screwdrivers are a no-no, not necessarily as a weapon but as a means to gain access to stuff on the plane.

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Release the Kraken

Probably a no go and not worth the annoyance. Before I gave up flying, I bought an industrial med kit with runs nose medical shears and never got a second look. Strapped the handles to my carry-on, and let the flight attendants know I had the kit if they needed it.

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NHI, 10-8.

All I know is, they almost arrested me over a tiny pair of folding scissors with 1" blades, the kind of thing in a backpacker's sewing kit. (Insert here universally appropriate slang for a stupid, irritating or contemptible person.)*

(*edited to appease moderators)

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Pisgah

Sorry for your inconvenience but good. There was a time when a simple little bitty box cutter was ok too.

And to dismantle things in a sabotage attempt

Don't hold your breath expecting there to be any such thing that will pass TSA. And, BTW, if it doesn't have a blade it isn't a knife, it just looks like one, and that is enough for TSA.just like a mini Leatherman. I wouldn't try to pass security with one of them either.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Years ago I had a .45 Colt cigar punch confiscated.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

TSA agents are not the brightest bulbs in the room.
At Sky Harbor in Pheonix the agent wanted to confiscate the MOH from a WW II veteran because it had points and could be used as a weapon.

Joseph J. Foss Medal of Honor | Snopes.com

I had a chrome plated, inert .45acp cartridge key ring that I had gotten as "tchotchke" when Southern Gun and Tackle had "FFL trade shows" at Tupperware campus back in '82 maybe. "No-no, you can't carry that onto a plane!" cried T(housands) S(tanding) A(round). "But, kind sir, I have carried it onto planes for 25 years." "Well you're not doing it anymore. Do you want to miss your flight?" Lost a "Swiss tool" under similar circumstances. Joe

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Behavior Creates Destiny

I ran down TSA regulations on stuff like this and can’t find anywhere that a tool like the Victorinox Jetsetter can’t be in a carryon bag. Multitools without a blade and scissors less than 4” at the pivot are allowed. I’ma get me one, and one for my brother . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

There is always this little gem, taken from the TSA website:

“ TSA officers have the discretion to prohibit any item through the screening checkpoint if they believe it poses a security threat.”

So, bring what you will. But it may not go with you on your flight.

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Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

Has common sense ever been a civil service requirement for hiring?

interesting ....
Wonder if this could be argued in the courts since Chevron Deference was shot down

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it just needs more voltage

The first time I flew I had a Craftsman 4-way pocket screwdriver on my keychain. TSA took it claiming I could disassemble the plane with it.

Totally accurate. And the attitude displayed by the majority of contributors to this thread will probably insure that, once confronted, they wouldn’t be able to get a ball of yarn aboard . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Yet, ironically, knitting needles are allowed. Recently saw a gal aboard a domestic flight who had 12”, aluminum knitting needles stowed crossways in her bun.

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213th FBINA

Was on one of the very first flights after 9/11 for a quick “business” trip to Fort Lauderdale.

Was carrying a 14 shot 9mm on board. No problems from security DCA to FLL but on return trip my cartridge cigar cutter was seized.

TSA was not yet formed. This was by a Broward County Sheriff who maintained no razor blades were permitted.



Be safe.

It is because we are unwilling to accept any risk in our lives and are therefor treated that way. The lack of common sense is on our part.

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Common sense isn't so common.

And so is the object subject to the original post, along with screwdrivers under 7” and scissors under 4” from the pivot . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

When all the TSA security stuff started years ago, I bought a small Leatherman multi-tool that had just been released and was sold as "TSA approved" because it didn't have a knife blade.

The first time I flew with it, I had to argue with two levels of TSA agents in order to keep from having it seized.

What year was that?

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

It was in 2012.

Things change . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Well, if you don't think you can kill someone quickly with a sharp pencil or a car key, you are woefully uneducated. And if they make you fly naked, you still have teeth and nails...

Screw 'em. I'd sooner board seeing everyone open-carrying a Glock.

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Pisgah

Originally Posted by Bald1
"Sorry for your inconvenience but good. There was a time when a simple little bitty box cutter was ok too."

Ignorant is taking away one guys real short scissors, another's tiny screw driver, while letting me, a 6'4" 300# guy, aboard carrying a Sudoku book, 3 sharp #2 lead pencils and a 3 ft long hardwood stick. More people have been killed with sharp sticks and clubs than box cutters and it all started a good many thousands of years before box cutters even existed

There's always the checked bag option.

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Common sense isn't so common.

If its legal or not is entirely up to that one agent that checks you.
Most of 'em are dumb as a box of rocks.

Oh wait! You can't have a rock either.

One more of several reasons I do Not Fly Anymore.

Screwdrivers are NOT prohibited, so long as they are shorter than 7 inches. All tools were prohibited in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 while the airline fleet was having its flight deck doors upgraded...that prohibition was relaxed when all aircraft had armored doors, around 2006 or so...

What Can I Bring? All | Transportation Security Administration

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

Not true. There are clear rules in place. If a TSA officer makes a bad call on whether or not something is prohibited, ask to speak to his or her supervisor, and show them the information linked here:

What Can I Bring? All | Transportation Security Administration

Hmmm...I'll bet a lot of TSA officers have that exact opinion of the passengers they encounter...

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

I fly often, and like you, I hate to be without a few basic tools. About 15 years ago, I took a base keychain model Swiss Army knife, and used my Dremel to cut the blade off, leaving only the screwdriver/file, the scissors, the tweezers, and the toothpick. I left the unsharpened base of the blade -- the choil -- extended, so it would be obvious that the blade was missing.

Sometime later -- maybe ten years ago -- I picked up a Leatherman Style PS (now apparently discontinued), which was the only tool Leatherman made without a blade. I carry it with the Swiss Army tool and a small flashlight.

Every time I go through airport security, I put these tools in one of those dog bowls and send them through the xray. Every single time, the TSA folks take a good look at them...but I have never had any TSA officer tell me they're prohibited.

Here are the TSA's rules on what can and can't go...

What Can I Bring? All | Transportation Security Administration

Attached Images

	TSA Compliant Tools 1.jpg (86.1 KB, 13 views)
	TSA Compliant Tools 2.jpg (70.0 KB, 11 views)

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

That's ludicrous. I cannot count the ways you can do damage with a 7 inch screwdriver, and I've never been a high speed, low drag type ever in my life.

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Release the Kraken

The amount of misinformation, and totally incredible anecdotes, posted on this thread, is just astonishing.

I would love to know how anybody almost got arrested for carrying small scissors. Joe Foss died on January 1, 2003, only a few months after TSA assumed responsibility for airport security, when things were still very chaotic and rules were being developed.

I have been through airport security, at airports all over North America and Europe, hundreds of times in the past twenty years. I can recall only two times I ever had an issue with any TSA personnel. Yeah, some are more personable than others, but they're not there to hassle you...they have a difficult job, and they are held strictly accountable for doing it.

How many of the folks here taking shots at TSA have ever smiled and said "good morning" or "have a nice day" to those checkpoint officers? You get what you give, and if you wear your contempt and disrespect as openly as you express it on here, it's no wonder y'all have had bad experiences.

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

The prohibition on tools, as I have always understood it, wasn't instituted out of fear they could be used as weapons. It grew out of the fact that flight deck doors were not armored, and tools could be used to pry those doors open, or disassemble them. Once the airline fleet's doors were armored, there was no need to prohibit small tools, and only those long enough to use as levers to pry the door are still forbidden.

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

While I may well be able to request a supervisor, explain the rules to them etc, the last thing I want or need to do while traveling by air is spend time debating with TSA officials. Not worth it for a pair of nail clippers, a small screw driver etc. If I really need those things on one end of the trip or the other, they can go in checked baggage

After watching John Wick, I'm amazed they still let us take pencils.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I have learned a lesson since I have started flying frequently again over the past couple of years. Always check a bag. Put your pocket knife and Leatherman in the checked bag, check it and forget it until you get to your final destination.

Use the time you would spend arguing with the TSA folks over your “TSA compliant” multi-tool, going over the bourbon selection with the flight attendant.

As to your “flying” knife, one needs to make sure it will comply with all the state laws where you travel. I have a small Case Stockman that will do anything I need while traveling, that I believe to be compliant with everywhere I go (including regular trips to NY/JFK).

Leave your Microtechs, ZT’s, assisted openers, automatics, etc. at home. A small, simple folder is like a Mora, really all you need.

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No school like the old school.

The most gruesome murder ever committed in my small home town was done with a Phillips screwdriver!

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No school like the old school.

A Swiss Army knife without a knife blade is not a knife.

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Live long and prosper

When TSA first started, I applied for the position. I was actually overqualified for most of their jobs but lost out to the fact that I am functionally color blind.

During the initial evaluation, a lot of the prospects I would not have hired to watch a parking lot. Unprofessional to put it mildly and politely.

Most of them did get hired.

I've seen them in action at Bush IAH on several occassions. I would compare them to the Keystone Kops but to do so would diminish the professionalism of the Kops.

'Nuff said there.

As far as keys, pocket knives, tools, even certain writing implements if you want to keep TSA out of your business, put them in checked baggage.

When I travelled, I did so VERY lightly...not even shaving gear.

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The Last Standing Knight

Years ago, when all this nonsense started, I had to give up a Kubaton on my keys. Went on the plane and there was a young guy with a 5' hiking staff. Then they served booze in those little bottles with the nice neck for a handle. Sometime after had to watch my 82-year old mother-in-law get searched. I quit flying.

I'll bet none of them ever watched the movie "Commando". Arnie kills a guy on an airplane with his elbow and his bicep.

Don't tell them, they'll "dis-arm" everyone!

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Even older, even crankier....

What's a Kubaton???
Never mind just looked it up. If they can sell these maybe there is some hope for my tactical brassiere opener upper.

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Forum consigliere

Probably 75% of the posts on this thread are akin to LEO bashing . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

"Always keep this thing in mind....you are NOT police officers...you are NOT Federal agents...your powers are very limited. Do NOT think for one minute you are...and you will never be..."

No. I must disagree with you here.
The statement I just put up was from our initial welcome by a TSA rep during our evaluation. I have talked to former TSA agents who quit and went to work in private security since that time and that hasn't changed. FWIW one told me they were "glorified hall monitors".

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The Last Standing Knight

And you're wrong . . .

Victory: Court Rules TSA Agents Are Law Enforcement Agents, Can Be Sued for Unjustified Groin Searche

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Dallas County Court House, passing through security for purpose of meeting. The folks at security made me return to my vehicle or surrender a pocket recoil 5 ft tape measure.

Did they work for TSA?

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .