Spyderco Forums

I will be flying from St. Louis, MO, to Washington D.C. this summer. I need to know if they'll give me trouble for my Rescue Jr. it's serrated (3 inch blade), with a stainless steel handle. Would it be better if I just put it in my carry-on bag, instead of clipped to my pocket? I don't fly much at all, so any help will be appreciated. thanks



Taylor T.



ps. I'm only 15, but I'm going with a Boy Scout group

Hmmmmm. Have no idea about your question and I am notorious for getting off of the subject, so hear I go....What troop are you in? I live in St. Louis and was in 212 (St. Ambrose Parish) until I made Eagle. What rank? Any other Eagles out there???????
Matt

Hello Taylor T.
I live here in St. Louis but often travel to my real home in NY. I've gone through security with a 3 inch serrated delica and it has never been a problem, but I'd suggest putting it in your carry-on anyway. There might be a law about your age and the limit to being able to carry a knife on a plane (Just a guess), and it's probably not worth the hassle to find out. If you do want to find out though, I bet you could give the airport a call and they'd be happy to tell you.

I don't know the actualy airport phone number, but the TWA phone number is 1-800-221-2000. I'm sure they can give you the airport phone number.

I wouldn't try it either way....Airports have been getting tighter and tighter in the security department. I have heard from various trainers (knife and pistol) that serrated knives of any length are getting tossed. I have personally found that "classey" looking knives get little attention from security. My personal choice has been a Micarta Calypso Jr. plain edge only. I would also suggest calling the airport and asking someone in security what is acceptable. (not the Airport Police, generally they are seperate organizations)

Two final thoughts:

As backup, buy a "Priority Mail" envelope from your post office. Get it posted and address it to yourself. Keep it in your carry on so if you get any grief at a security checkpoint you can offer to mail it away and hopefully avoid confiscation.

Secondly, I would look into the carry laws of Washingto D.C. as they pertain to knives. D.C. has very strict laws and I have no idea what they think of knives being carried openly by anyone, much less a 15 year old. Any research you do could only benefit your whole group for the trip...I'm sure you're not the only one carrying a knife.

While phoning the airport is a logical thought, you're unlikely to get useful information; most likely they'll tell you that you can't carry any knife on an airplane. If you're going to carry the Rescue Jr., then definitely in your carry-on, if you aren't going to check any luggage. While airlines generally don't have a problem with 3" folders, and a sheepsfoot blade is as non-threatening as they come, the simple fact is that they hate serrations.

Dave

Taylor et al:There's a thread called'Airport Security Idiot' y'all might find interesting as it deals with this issue.
Taylor:I'd leave the Rescue Jr. @ home-see my posts in the above thread.Gizmo has good
advise;particularly on checking the D.C. carry laws.Be advised that carrying ANY knife on Federal property is an offense(the White House,any of the memorials,etc.are Federal property.).
Gizmo:Good advise amigo!

thanks for all the good advice. Unfortunatly, I'm not rich enough to buy a new knife when I get there (I'm lucky enough to have this one). We will be sending a troop trailer with most of our gear out before we get there, so I can send the knife with that. Jazzman: I'm in troop 2, Jeff city, Mo. I'm Life, working on Eagle.

Taylor T.

Im flying this june, CARRING A MATRIARCH!!,lol(madness I hear you say), well Ive decided on putting it in my wallet amongst all my coins in my leather jacket which will go through the scanner, so we shall see what happens.

Good luck

MaNcEr

Taylor;I'd still check the D.C.knife laws,but sending your Rescue on the tralier is better than trying to fly with it.Have a good trip.
MaNcEr;See ya in the slammer*G*!.?What brand do ya smoke?-Kools are popular prison currency here*G*.

Hehehehehe, yeah yeah yeah, well they might get me but they'll be fingerless if I get ol "Mat" open n ready,lol

My experience supports the other comments made in this and the "Airport Security.." thread.

The one time I was hassled was flying from Salt Lake to Denver last year (on United) with my FRN Dragonfly serrated, in my small backpack, they didn't like the serrations at all, I managed to negotiate my way through after asking for a supervisor.

Certainly not worth the hassle trying to get a Rescue Jr on I'd suggest.

Guess I got lucky when I went to the airport a few days ago to pick someone up. Went throught with a pair of Delicas, a Leatherman and a SAK. Also the Micra on a very full keyring, and I noticed that I forgot to take off my E1 and it didn't set it off... But then it has an Al body.
The knives barely got a glance...

Hi Taylor, Alds, Mrb, Pat, welcome to the
Spyderco forum.

sal