TSA airline approved Swiss Army Knife?

[Beemerguy53]

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

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

 

[Beemerguy53]

If its legal or not is entirely up to that one agent that checks you.

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

..Most of 'em are dumb as a box of rocks...

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

 

[Beemerguy53]

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.

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

 

[LVSteve]

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

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.

 

[Beemerguy53]

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 . . .

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.

 

[Beemerguy53]

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.

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.

 

[steelslaver]

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

 

[Tom S.]

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

 

[6518John]

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.

 

[6518John]

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.

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

 

[Puller]

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

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

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.

 

[CALREB]

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.

 

[A10]

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!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

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.

 

[Muss Muggins]

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

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

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

"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".

 

[Muss Muggins]

And you're wrong . . .

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

"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".

 

[STORM2]

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.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Did they work for TSA?

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.

 

[Rob613]

Haha…

Female stowaway found on Delta flight to Paris after sneaking past JFK security

 

[Sistema1927]

I fly with the Victorinox Jetsetter in my pocket, both domestically and overseas, and have never had a problem. I open it up fully and place it in the tray. They normally inspect it and most of the time close it up and hand it back to me.

I had a similar Swiss Army tool a few years ago that had a pair of nail clippers and finger nail file, but lost it and haven't found another. I had no problems with it either, but they would normally run their finger over the file to make sure it didn't have a knife edge on it.

 

[sniper]

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.

Even if approved, there will be someone who didn't get the memo!
Years ago, a co worker was made to discard a toy gun he'd bought for his 5 year old. Where have these people come from?

 

[14daMoney]

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

it absolutely boggles my mind that they take my nail clippers every time; but, my pen goes back in my shirt pocket and on I go.... amazing!

 

[CH4]

Many items are left up to the discretion of the TSA agent or their international equivalent. I got jacked for toenail clippers and bullet keychain at the Manila airport, while a gal with two 1/4" x 12" knitting needles, which were in her hair bun, was allowed through security and on my flight.

 

[ericherte]

When in the army, we flew c-141's to Alaska. On the return trip we flew commercial. Took away my Swiss Army knife but let me keep my m203 and bayonet.