Security...nail clippers, tweezers??

[tbuot]

What is the latest on packing these items in luggage? Can you have them in carry on?? I haven't flown in awhile and don't know if these things are still banned.

Thanks

 

[Michelle]

From the Transportation Security Administration:

PERMITTED ITEMS

The following list is provided to assist you in determining what items are permitted beyond the screening checkpoint after they have been screened.

Medical and Personal Items
Braille note taker, slate and stylus, and augmentation devices
Cigar cutters
Corkscrews
Cuticle cutters
Diabetes-related supplies/equipment (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed), including: insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products; vials or box of individual vials; jet injectors; pens; infusers; and preloaded syringes; and an unlimited number of unused syringes, when accompanied by insulin; lancets; blood glucose meters; blood glucose meter test strips; insulin pumps; and insulin pump supplies. Insulin in any form or dispenser must be properly marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication or manufacturer’s name or pharmaceutical label.
Eyeglass repair tools, including screwdrivers
Eyelash curlers
Knives, round-bladed butter or plastic
Nail clippers
Nail files
Nitroglycerine pills or spray for medical use, if properly marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication or manufacturer’s name or pharmaceutical label.
Personal care or toiletries with aerosols, in limited quantities
Prosthetic device tools and appliances (including drill, allen wrenches, pullsleeves) used to put on or remove prosthetic devices, if carried by the individual with the prosthetic device or his or her companion
Safety razors (including disposable razors)
Scissors, plastic or metal with blunt tips
Tweezers
Umbrellas (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed)
Walking canes (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed)

Toys, Hobby Items, and Other Items Posing Little Risk
Knitting and crochet needles
Toy transformer robots
Toy weapons (if not realistic replicas)

 

[mcnuss]

Michelle -- In theory, this list is what the security people use at both the Security Checkpoints and the Pre-Board screeenings, however, the reality is that the rules are "flexible". I pass through Logan (BOS) and LaGuardia at least once per week, and Manchester, NH, Chicago O'Hare, Pittsburgh, Philly, Cleveland & W. Palm on a semi-regular basis (glamorous, ain't it?)

There is NO rhyme or reason as to what's ok in one airport vs. the next, although it is much better in the airports where the TSA has taken over. So here is my advice - if you think it might be objectionable, put it in your checked luggage bc even if your item is permitted, you will have to endure them poking thru your hand baggage looking for said item so that they can then decide if it's ok or not. Not worth it.

Also, since we are on the subject, a few other observations:

- They will most often make you take off your coat and put it thru Xray, so be prepared.
-Cell phones, palm pilots, etc... do not have to be taken out of your bag. You have to put them in the "bucket" only if you are carrying them on your person. I see women every day dump out virtually everything from their purses - you do not have to. Laptops always come out of the bag. Watch it like a hawk.
-Shoes - most shoes have a steel shank or heel. I just take mine off now and throw them on the belt. The security people laugh and then thank me.
- Pants - whatever you do, DO NOT wear those cargo type pants with all the little pockets and zippers. Wear outfits with as little metal as possible, and w/o pockets (easier for women than men) if you can. Also, watch out for your belt buckles.
-Underwire bras set off the detectors in some airports (United terminal in O'Hare, for one). They aren't supposed to but they do. I hate that the most.

Last, but not least - PLEASE BE NICE TO THE SECURITY PEOPLE. (I know that all Dis'ers are nice and would never think to be rude or make cracks, but just in case there are lurkers out there!) Besides the fact that you will just inconvenience yourself and your family because a rude remark will guarantee a hassle, remember that the people on the front lines do not make the rules.

Good luck!

 

[mmouse37]

Had my tweezers confiscated at the airport on our 8/3/02 flight.

MJ

 

[FOJMO]

I have to say that some of the "security" people we've come across on recent plane trips, we jokingly refer to as "nerd police." They seem to be gestapo-type who are very intimidating and rude, and who are unprofessionally wielding their "power" to the utmost. They are unsure and uninformed about what can and cannot be accepted. One guy even held up my eyelash curler and had to ask a female security person what it was.

When they confiscated my small scissors (pointed end), which I understood why, they said I had the option of them confiscating it permanently, or I could have it mailed to my home. Having paid a lot for that pair of scissors and having had them for years, I opted for the mailing. When I asked them for the form to fill out to have it sent to my home, they said they don't have that form there, and I would have to go back to the main terminal to do that! I didn't have the time nor the energy to do that, so I told them "just throw them away then"!

I understand completely the job they have to do and why, it's just the attitude we get from most of them that bothers us.

I say, if in doubt, pack it in your checked luggage!

 

[Timon]

Just remember that the rules are very different from airport to airport. I am a pre-board screener here in Calgary, and the hardest part for my passengers is that the rules change and they don't know what to expect.

Here, you MUST take out ALL your electronics, even palm pilots and cell phones etc.

I am guessing that the list that Michelle gave us is for boarding a cruise, and NOT a plane, as I cannot see U.S airports letting on some of those items( ie: corkscrews, cigar cutter, knitting needles etc) on board a plane! We don't let those items on here in Canada and I know for a fact that security is even tighter in the U.S.

Just remember, if it's sharp...pack it in your checked luggage...then no hassles! We get TONS of restricted items everyday here still to this day! But we have a mailing form right at our security check point.

I sympathize with all of you who come across security officers that are grumpy or rude. I am friendly, pleasant and helpful to all my passengers, even the ones that are screaming in my face about not being able to take their hunting knife with them on the plane! I guess with all jobs, there are some people who should be working with the public and some that shouldn't be. Just remember that it's not an easy job and a little smile goes a long way!

FOJMO,

perhaps the security guy you came across was new? I see about 200 eyelash curlers everyday and so they are not an uncommon item. An experienced guard should have no problems with an eyelash curler, but it takes a long time to train your eye on the x-ray machine. And being a guy, he might not have seen one before if he was new.

 

[mcnuss]

Timon -- I hoped you would weigh in on this subject as you are obviously our expert!

Lately I have noticed that the security screeners are nicer. I think it's because the rules are changing less often and are (sorta) making more sense. Or maybe we're all just getting used to the drill. Who knows. Here in the US, the TSA is taking over very quickly. Last week at Logan, I left on a Tuesday - no TSA - came back Wednesday - TSA. They look and act more professional, and their training shows.

I think Canada has always had better security in the airports; I suspect it is less politicized than here. When I flew into Montreal and Toronto last year, it was vey noticeable. I was frequently asked to turn my electronics on and of course you are right, I had to take them out of my briefcase.

My one gripe is the airports that have not provided trays or buckets for the laptops. At LGA, it FREAKS me out that my $3000 laptop - my lifeline to my work - gets put on the belt w/o protection. I said something once, and very politely, and I swear I thought they were going to arrest me. It's like they think we business travelers carry them to play games on the plane. I have actually seen the screeners drop one, and not even apologize. She said "oops, I hope it's not too broken!". Can you imagine?

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

I messed up and threw a nail clipper, (the squeeze kind) into my DH's carryon back pack thinking that it would not be a problem. Boy wasn't HE surprised when they pulled him aside and pulled it out of his pack! (whoops my bad) It had a little pull out nail cleaner blade, and I didn't notice that when I packed it. It was kind of a souvenir of my DD's, and we were there plenty early for the flight, so I ran it upstairs to the post-office (it had 'just' opened 3 minutes earlier) and mailed it home. Cost $1.23 or something for the packaging and postage. The office guy laughed and said they see about 20 of those a day. For when the post office is closed, there was a self service area to buy a padded envelope, use of a scale and a stamps vending machine.
So, just in case you get a surprise, the mailing it home route wasn't too bad if you have a few minutes to spare and the post office isn't too far from security.
Good luck everyone.

 

[FOJMO]

Timon (I LOVE that name, by the way) --

I am glad to hear you are a pleasant fella -- that's always refreshing. I think that at least here, in Tampa, FL, the people they've hired are very inexperienced. They had a big job hiring fair a few months ago specifically to hire about 200 screeners, etc. for security. They interviewed and hired these people in 2 days! The guy who didn't know what an eyelash curler was had taken it out of my makeup bag and was looking at it in front of him and not through the x-ray machine.

They are very rude, and give you that "I have the power" attitude. I believe you can do a thorough job without being condescending. Some of these guys look like they just got out of high school. They are probably not paid very well and, as a result, they get what they pay for...

 

[Timon]

mcnuss,

No buckets for laptops??? Oh my goodness! I would NEVER put my laptop (well, ok so I don't OWN one, but still) just on the belt itself! Actually, I've had a few impatient people, (in a huge hurry, no time to wait for me to get a bucket for them) just put their laptops on the belt!!! I SHOUTED at the x-ray operator STOP! and I retrieved the computer and put it in a bucket myself! The x-ray belt itself is fine, but where the belt stops at the end and there's a rolling bar, things flip over sometimes, especially when the belt is full of luggage. It's funny how some people treat their stuff with no respect at all, then you have people who absolutely REFUSE to put their stuff through the x-ray! I treat every passengers' belongings as if they were mine. Just common courtesy, in my opinion.

Things are changing for the better here too. CATSA is taking over and we are all going through re-training (mine is next week!) and they are emphasizing customer service, so hopefully, things will get better for all those who travel. Now, you no longer have to turn on your electronics, but they DO have to come out of your bag, as it is impossible to see behind the items when it goes thru x-ray. But hopefully, by December 31st (when CATSA officially takes over) rules will be the same across Canada, so less confusion for everyone!

FOJMO,
sorry to hear about your bad experience. Things are getting better up here in Canada, better training, much better pay etc, I hope it changes down there too soon! There's NO need whatsoever, to be rude, if they don't like their job, they should be doing something else! And I am always pleasant...but never a fella I am a female, but it just so happens that my fave character, Timon, is male

 

[Towncrier]

Another word to the wise. If you have a keychain laser pointer, you may or may not be allowed to carry it onto an airplane. One of my friends from church was allowed to board a plane in Cleveland with his laser pointer, but was told that he would have to pitch it when he came through security in Chicago. The screener did allow him to discard the batteries and keep the laser pointer. I would have never even thought twice about carrying a laser pointer onto an airplane, but I guess it makes sense to ban them. At least to some security people. They have a tough job.

 

[FOJMO]

Originally posted by Timon


but never a fella I am a female, but it just so happens that my fave character, Timon, is male

OOPS! So Sorry, Timon! Shouldn't have assumed.

 

[Michelle]

Timon, no that IS actually for flights. The rules were recently changed, at least in the US and it came directly from this site:

http://www.tsa.gov/trav_consumers/trav_consumers_index.shtm

The Travel Security Administration is the new federal overseer of airport security and this is their list of "items permitted in airline cabins" list. The items NOT allowed are listed as well.

I too had nail clippers confiscated last year, but the rules have changed and tweezers and nail clippers are now allowed in carry-on bags.

This link has a COMPREHENSIVE list of items both allowed and prohibited:

Can I Take It?

I would suggest those with questions take a look at this site as it is the official list now. There are some clarifications on the list and an individual screener may use his/her discretion if they think something is questionable, but overall the restrictions are not as great as they used to be.