Recent experiences with cutters in carry on?

[bardass]

Why do want to get your line cutter in a cabin luggage ?
Why not put it in your checked luggage?

if one of your friend has a screwdriver in an other cabin luggage (3d copy), your line cutter becomes a razor blade

 

[lowwall]

TSA has a page on what's allowed.

Complete List (Alphabetical) | Transportation Security Administration

The TSA "What Can I Bring?" Complete List provides an alphabetical guide to items that travelers can and cannot bring in carry-on and checked baggage.

www.tsa.gov

Line cutters are not specifically covered. But the following is included in the sewing section:

"Circular thread cutters or any other cutter or needlepoint tools that contain blades must be placed in checked baggage. You are permitted to keep scissors smaller than 4 inches in your carry-on baggage."

You should give EMT shears a try.

 

[landphil]

I’ve carried on trauma shears without any problems. But I do replace my good shears with a cheap pair for the trip in case they get confiscated. I’ll also bring ceramic line cutters instead of metal ones; since they don’t look as dangerous. But it’s always best to assume that anything you try to carry on will fall victim to someone’s interpretation of the rules. That’s why I started to carry on my scuba gear in a pelican case instead of a backpack, so I can pull out the regs and batteries and just check whatever is left

 

[boulderjohn]

If found, your line cutter will be taken. I think the story of how I lost mine will be instructive on a couple levels.

I have always carried my computers (wrist) in carry on. I have a Trilobite line cutter attached to the computer straps for my left wrist, and I take it out and put it in checked luggage normally. At the airport, my carry on bag got flagged for a check, and I apparently drew the absolute dorkiest inspector in Cozumel history. The guy spotted one of my Shearwater computers in its case and opened it up. He pulled the computer out, and, although working on one of the world's busiest dive locations, he had no idea what he was looking at. "What is this?" he asked. "Some kind of camera?"

"It's a dive computer," I said.

This immediately aroused his suspicions. He looked at me in disbelief. "Why would anyone use a computer while diving?"

"I tried to explain it simply. He thought about it for a while and put it back. Then he spotted the second computer, also in a case clearly marked "Shearwater." He opened it up and took it out. Now he was sure he had come upon an international criminal. "What is this? A second computer? Why would you need two?"

I tried to explain the idea of a backup computer and eventually he was resigned to the fact that he was not going to make the arrest of the century. He was about to put it back in the case when he saw the Trilobite case dangling from the strap. I realized in horror that I had forgotten to take the cutter out. He pulled it out in triumph, and I lost my line cutter.

The lesson is that you can never know who is going to be going through your carry on gear, so play it as safe as possible. Any regular agent would have spotted the computers and let them go without inspection.

 

[tursiops]

The lesson is that you can never know who is going to be going through your carry on gear, so play it as safe as possible. Any regular agent would have spotted the computers and let them go without inspection.

Exactly. I've had far more problems with my carry-on than I've had with my checked luggage. The latter might get delayed a day or two --- and the local dive operation has always loaned be what I needed at no change -- but nothing has been taken or damaged by inept/crooked customs agents. The only things i ahve in my carry-on are the fragile or super-expensive things.

 

[uncfnp]

Technically, my line cutter would be equalivant to a safety razor since the blade is removable. Safety razors are prohibited on carry on. Loose blades are prohibited, metal or ceramic. And my understanding is that modern TSA imaging will “see” ceramic. Have I forgotten my cutter on my BCD and made it through security? Yes. Would I do it on purpose? No.

 

[wdeutsch]

TSA has a page on what's allowed.

Complete List (Alphabetical) | Transportation Security Administration

The TSA "What Can I Bring?" Complete List provides an alphabetical guide to items that travelers can and cannot bring in carry-on and checked baggage.

www.tsa.gov

Line cutters are not specifically covered. But the following is included in the sewing section:

"Circular thread cutters or any other cutter or needlepoint tools that contain blades must be placed in checked baggage. You are permitted to keep scissors smaller than 4 inches in your carry-on baggage."

You should give EMT shears a try.

I would never have thought to look in the sewing section of the rules for line cutters. Thanks for that tip!

I have tried, and been successful with EMT shears. Those are pretty clearly OK under the scissors rule.

 

[wdeutsch]

...The latter might get delayed a day or two -...

As just one example of my stunning luck with airlines, they lost my touring bike for a month. This, despite it being in a BRIGHT yellow case with my name and phone number on multiple pieces of paper just inside each (unlocked) zipper opening, and a still intact luggage tag on the outside.

So, yeah, I probably create headaches for myself with travelling carry on whenever possible. I've decided to deal with that headache rather than the checked baggage heartburn. To each their own.

Back to the main attraction: Sounds like ceramic blades might arouse less suspicion, but that it's still dodgy at best. Perhaps I just buy a new one when I arrive, or get one with replaceable blades I can buy on site.

Thanks, all, for your perspective/experiences.

 

[Living4Experiences]

You can never predict what TSA or international security agents will allow or confiscate. Within the USA, every airport in just one state can have different enforcement. Depends on the mood of the agent for that day or how skilled they are at looking at the X-ray. If you're set on taking a line cutter, your best choice is to check your luggage. If you really have to travel with carryon, just know that you're likely to lose your tool going through security.

 

[landphil]

If you're really paranoid you can just travel with this - Sheath For Serrated Knife | Seattle Marine and grab yourself a cheap steak or paring knife when you arrive (at home I run one of these knives in that sheath when I think I'll need a longer blade- Check this out: Swiss Classic Tomato and Table Knife .) There are probably very few dive destinations left in the world where you can't find a place to buy kitchen cutlery