Line cutters and airport security?

[yakandjak]

Does anyone have experience with taking line cutters (j-hook knives) through airport security?

With too many experiences of lost or stolen items through checked baggage, I have gone into all carry-on mode. I suppose I could just pick up a pair of shears but thought I would ask if any of you have some practical experience with TSA.

Thanks!

 

[bleeb]

Don't know about line cutters, but FWIW I recently saw a hand mixer bounced, one of those with the non-removable, recessed, 1/2" long mixing blades (dull). The line agent wasn't sure and even took it to the supervisor. The problem isn't whether your whatever meets the rules or not. It's whether whoever you run into thinks it _might_ not.

 

[mempilot]

Don't try to take a line cutter through security unless you want to donate it to the TSA. Just pack it in your checked luggage.

 

[yakandjak]

Bleeb...I agree with that rationale. Hopefully if we get to a supervisor there would be at least some standard of measure.



Mempilot...have you had these tools confiscated by TSA or are you simply making the assumption that they would take it? As I mentioned, I won't be checking luggage so my only option is to use a different type of cutting tool like shears...or a hatchet.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[Web Monkey]

Mempilot...have you had these tools confiscated by TSA or are you simply making the assumption that they would take it? As I mentioned, I won't be checking luggage so my only option is to use a different type of cutting tool like shears...or a hatchet.

You can call it anything you want, but in the end, it contains (or is) a razor blade, and it's not going on the plane with you.

Terry

 

[mempilot]

Mempilot...have you had these tools confiscated by TSA or are you simply making the assumption that they would take it?

The problem you will find is the inconsistancy in the agents about this type of tool. It doesn't fit any of their standard descriptions of go/no go items, so you will find that they will use 'discression'. That discression will be inconsistant from one airport, checkpoint, agent to the next. You might get it though one and not another. So, if you don't have a way to check, I'd leave it at home. Or, since they are small and light, mail it to your destination. Or, just buy one there. They aren't expensive.

 

[yakandjak]

You can call it anything you want, but in the end, it contains (or is) a razor blade, and it's not going on the plane with you.

Terry

Hi Terry. I'm not sure what type of tool you own but mine is actually a shroud line cutter, used for cutting paracord. It doesn't contain a razor blade nor does it appear to. It would be impossible to cut another person with it or be modified to do so.

Have you had one of these, or something like it, confiscated?

I understand that this is largely dependant on who is doing the inspecting and what kind of mood they are in, as Bleeb mentioned. I was just wondering if people on the board have had these taken away, looked at curiously, or even ignored.

Thanks for your input.

 

[yakandjak]

Mempilot...thanks again. You're very right and that's good advice. Buying one there and then mailing it home might be the way to go.

Anyways, probably not may problems a pair of shears can't get me out of that a line cutter could.

 

[Web Monkey]

Hi Terry. I'm not sure what type of tool you own but mine is actually a shroud line cutter, used for cutting paracord. It doesn't contain a razor blade nor does it appear to. It would be impossible to cut another person with it or be modified to do so.

I have several, and they all contain razor blades of one sort or another; otherwise they wouldn't work.

Although you can't cut someone with the tool as-is, they would be worried about you removing the blade. I know you said it doesn't have a blade, but it absolutely has to contain something sharp, and they'll call a handle with a sharp part a "knife".

Terry

 

[rjack321]

Plan on using at least one checked bag. I have had (rather dumb) security screeners deny C-cell batteries from carry-on luggage. You can just about guarantee that a scuba regulator and the batteries in most lights will attract their attention on xray. So you'll be hand inspected and swabbed. During that hand inspection they will be confiscating things that have sharp bits. Its not quite as bad nowadays as it was a couple yrs ago (e.g. nailclippers get passed) but something with a razor blade that looks vaguely similar to a box cutter will definately get yanked.