Airport Security Idiot

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Keith Silliman
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Airport Security Idiot

#1

Post by Keith Silliman »

I fly every week on work-related travel. My usual carry is the Michael Walker Lightweight in a straight edge. Never have problems with getting it through-- put it in the basket with my keys, phone, etc.



Sometimes they open the blade, sometimes they don't. Often times they cannot figure out how to operate the liner lock. Usually, they figure it out, or ask me. Not last week.



I go through security, get my bags, and retrieve the basket. Put my hand in the basket and feel something sharp-- The security guard had not closed the knife!! Just put it in the basket-- open, without telling me!! Everyone knows how sharp spydercos are.



Unbelievable. He acted like it was my fault.

So--- be careful.



Keith Silliman
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sal
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#2

Post by sal »

Hi Keith. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

Sorry 'bout the cut. Hope it wasn't bad.

"We learn from idiots, not to be idiots, they make the best teachers".

sal
sam the man..
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#3

Post by sam the man.. »

Ouch! Did the guy handed you a band-aid? Mr Walker's knife is indeed : Really sharp!

Sam

have spydies
will travel...
Christopher Doner
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#4

Post by Christopher Doner »

Mr. Silliman,
Curiosity check, what airline do you fly on? I have never heard of any airline letting a passenger on board with a knife. I'm not readily familiar with the model you mentioned though. I once tried to go thru airport security (US) with a Kubotan (a 6 inch piece of wood blunt on both ends) keychain I've carried for almost 15 years and they would not allow it! So the story you posted is quite amazing. Not only is the security lacking (I'm sure your intentions were peacefull, but what about the knife toting sociopath with harmfull intentions boarding behind you?) the officers blatant lack of safety and common sense knife etiquitte is truly stunning. Your travel story is very unique. Good luck and be safe in your travels!

Christopher Doner.
NCBlades
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#5

Post by NCBlades »

Most airlines do allow you to carry a knife as long as it is not too big. Sal and Spyderco specifically designed the Copilot model for airline travel. I have gotten by with a Spydie such as a delica w/plain edge or a Rookie. I don't know why, but they don't like knives that can be opened with one hand and has serrations. I always use both hands to open the knife if asked to do so. I recently went to a family attraction in Virginia and walked through the metal detector and it went off. I had just gotten my large Dyad and was carrying it. The guy took it from me and told me I could get it when I left that evening. I did however get through without it detecting my aluminum Cricket which I use as a money clip. When I got back to pick up my Dyad, there was a screw missing from the pocket clip. I was so mad, but I had to keep my cool because my preacher and his wife were with us. Wish Spyderco would make a full titanium model (blade, handle, screws, etc...) so it would not be detected by metal detectors. I would definitely buy one.
michael
Joe Talmadge
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#6

Post by Joe Talmadge »

Without going over all the rules again, plain-edged knives with blades under 4" almost always make it through here in the states, in my experience. I've never ever been stopped with a plain-edged delica or endura. My own experience is that I'm surprised when a security guard *does* give someone a hassle for a 3"-bladed plain-edge knife like the Walker Lightweight.
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sal
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#7

Post by sal »

hi Christopher. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

There is no "they". the federal law on knives is 4" blade length. But local laws prevail.

Recently (2 years), the Feds don't like serrations, on any size knife.

These laws are enforced by individual security grards posted at each of the metal detectors. None of them have clear guidlines as to wht is or is not safe to bring on an airplane. They are forced to make their own dxecisions.

Yes, it is difficult, and the world would like clear directions....?

sal
jakelaw
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#8

Post by jakelaw »

I have traveled fairly extesively throughout the US and have not had any trouble with a variety of knives. I usually have a "Q" for a money clip and have never had any trouble. I also travel with a surefire 3p I generally have more problems if the knife has serrations. I try not to have a blade with more that 3inches just to be safe. I had a lot of trouble fron a deputy in the Las Vegas airport a couple of years ago. I was carrying a C.R.K.&T. Apache. He told me that cops couldn't even carry those kinds of knives. As I am a police officer, I knew that was not true. I didn't argue though, I just put it in my carry-on and checked it. I am traveling back through there again in acouple of weeks and will post if I have a problem again. I will be carrying a Wayne Goddard light weight. I just purchased it on an auction on Policeone.com. If anyone knows about this knife please let me know. It is not even listed on the Spyderco website.
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sal
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#9

Post by sal »

Hi Jakelaw. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

We do make a variety of models that are fairly travel friendly. We recognize that many that wear Spyderco also travel.

Regarding the security guards; though it may be sometimes difficult to remember at the time, these fellow humans are doing their job looking for terrorists. Their crime is only ignorance of the "knife world". Select your travel pieces wisely and be patient with those that know less than you do, IMO.

The Wayne Goddard is still available to dealers until the 1st of the new year. Then it moves over to the "discontinued model" section of the website until inventory is gone.

sal
bethorn
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#10

Post by bethorn »

Greetings all,
I am fairly new to the knife world, having purchased my Delica lightweight just a few months ago. I would like some more info on these "airline friendly" knives; which ones would be recommended, and where is this Rookie model I hear about? I didn't see it anywhere in the product listing.
Are all Spyderco clips made of metal?
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sal
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#11

Post by sal »

Hi Bethorn. Welcome.

The CoPilot was the original airline friendly knife. It came out back in the late '80's. We still make it.

Other current pieces that work well are:

Ladybugs (sometimes they don't like the teeth), I've not had a problem with them, although I've hard on rare occassions it has been a problem.

Pegasus - now discontinued, but thre are some around.

Navigator - made in a variety of handle choices. Current model is an elegant Almite version with 7 slots cut into the handle.

Michael Walker's in plain edges are usually ok.

D'Holder "toads" always seem to go through without a problem.

Dyad Jrs are ususally ok.

Dragonfly's are ok

In all cases, try the plain edge. teeth are a no-no at this time.

sal
Marc
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#12

Post by Marc »

I travel quite a lot, and have had the best luck with the "Toad," although the navagator also usually works. I just got back from Europe. The Toad made it into both the Reijksmuseum and the Vatican museum without a hitch. At the Vatican the were taking even small Swiss army knives! Don't try most domestic carriers with any serrated blade. I forgot I had a blue native on once, and had to check it. I hate to check any of my knives, so I now always fly with the Toad only.
Brian_Turner
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#13

Post by Brian_Turner »

The X-Ray at Chicago-O'Hare picked up the Mouse in my backpack on Thanksgiving. I was asked if I was carrying a knife, and I smiled and answered "yes". They asked me to show it to them. I removed it and opened it. They started laughing, and told me to go ahead. They said it was a really cute little knife, and seemed embarassed to have stopped me.
G35
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#14

Post by G35 »

Went to the Minneapolis airport with my wife to meet a friend of hers who had a layover. Had to pass through security wearing my new plain blade Delica. Set off the alarm so I put my knife and keys in the tray and walked through and picked up my stuff and went on my way. They never even looked at my knife.
sam the man..
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#15

Post by sam the man.. »

Love the "Mouse" and "Toad", these critters are so airport friendly! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies
will travel...
afee
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#16

Post by afee »

You think thats bad? Flying out of Oakland last weekend i was stopped and harassed for tying to board with a 29" skateboard. Seems Oakland has the highest rete of terrorist skateboard attacks of any domestic airport. Made me check it. Lucky it didn't go off in the cargo hold and have the wheels spin or something.

Can't wait for my plain edged copilot!
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dePaul
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#17

Post by dePaul »

Seems like the US security guards are far more tolerant than those in Europe. Since I live in Sweden and do regular trips to Central Europe, I have always had troubles bringing a quality knife with me. For about a year ago I had to do some business in the Czech Republic. Strangely enough I somehow managed to smuggle the knife (Puma Cub, 2,5&quot<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> through the security checkpoint in my pocket. The alarm didn´t go off.
However on my return journey I was stopped at the airport in both Czech Rep. and Denmark. In Denmark, I had to check out and fetch the knife, than to check in again and leave it to be posted to my home.
Their problem was that the knife was a lockback! It looks like the length of the blade was of a lesser problem than the ability to lock it.
dsvirsky
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#18

Post by dsvirsky »

afee,
Was that Oakland, CA? Because I've had no problem taking knives through that airport (and knives are what count, not skateboards). In fact, when I asked one of the guards what the rules were, I was told that the FAA limited on board carry to 4" (apparently not all airport security guards are idiots).

They're probably just tired of all you young whipper-snappers skateboarding down the aisles of the airplanes, disturbing the rest of us, and spilling our drinks.

Dave
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#19

Post by cutler34 »

I flew to New Zealand about 4 years ago.I had a Victorinox Tinker, Ladybug, and a Delica in my pockets. I also had over 40 knives in my briefcase with my laptop.They didn't stop me going into NZ or coming back into Australia. Must've been lucky I guess.

Regards
Ricki
info@outdooredge.com.au
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baszerkawits
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#20

Post by baszerkawits »

At 14 I had my old 3.75 inch S&W SWAT knife, and carried it onboard the plane for a trip to Pittsburg(grandma) I put the knife in the tray with my watch and my change and the security gaurd asked me to open the knife.

I opened the knife REAL fast with one hand, and it was serrated inside for about 1.5 inches. He shrugged and said "neat" and I was on my way. I don't think that I should've been able to board the plane with that knife.
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