Travelling on Airline with Cutlery in Carry-On

[VancouverIslandDisney]

I’m sure this will be a strange question, but I’m not sure of the TSA regulations in the US as I travel primarily within Canada.

I usually travel with a set of bamboo cutlery (fork, spoon, knife, straw & chopsticks) as I’ve had issues with the plastic utensils that are commonly available and I know here in Canada we have no issues with plastic or bamboo in carry-on luggage but I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any issues doing so within the US. We fly out of Calgary to Orlando in March and I don’t want any issues as I’m travelling with only Carry-on for this trip.

I know the US TSA site lists that no blades are permitted on a flights, but I’m wondering if this applies to just knives with hilts or if it would include the bamboo knife in my cutlery set. I’m just wondering if anyone has experience travelling with these in their carry-on.

If no one has personal experience, I just may email/call the TSA closer to my trip.

Thanks!

 

[Mathmagicland]

I’m sure this will be a strange question, but I’m not sure of the TSA regulations in the US as I travel primarily within Canada.

I usually travel with a set of bamboo cutlery (fork, spoon, knife, straw & chopsticks) as I’ve had issues with the plastic utensils that are commonly available and I know here in Canada we have no issues with plastic or bamboo in carry-on luggage but I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any issues doing so within the US. We fly out of Calgary to Orlando in March and I don’t want any issues as I’m travelling with only Carry-on for this trip.

I know the US TSA site lists that no blades are permitted on a flights, but I’m wondering if this applies to just knives with hilts or if it would include the bamboo knife in my cutlery set. I’m just wondering if anyone has experience travelling with these in their carry-on.

If no one has personal experience, I just may email/call the TSA closer to my trip.

Thanks!

I don’t have personal experience but found this on the TSA website under Utensils - it says “Knives, except for plastic or round-bladed butter knives, are not allowed in carry-on bags… The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.“

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/utensils

It would seem to infer bamboo items would not be permitted, but the ones I’ve seen are more similar to plastic than metal so it could end up being an individual TSA officer decision.

 

[EACarlson]

It will 100% be up to the discretion of the scanning agent. Emailing TSA will only get you the exactly what @Mathmagicland posted, calling will get you nowhere. By policy, and logic, you should be fine. But all it takes is one agent on a power trip to decide it's not going through and it's not going through. I don't think you'd have much of an issue at preclearance at YYC, or out of MCO. I'm sure those agents at MCO see weirder things everyday. As long as the knife is a "round-bladed butter knife." Regular screening at YYC is still done by CATSA, so if you've not had a problem with it there before, no reason to expect anything different this time. I carry something very similar in a hard nylon and never had an issue, but I did see someone that was stopped for a metal spork.

 

[IrishEye]

I have had mini plastic zip ties confiscated and wife had metal straw taken. I personally would not risk it if you like them. I have also seen butter knife confiscated even when woman pointed out TSA website allowed.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I traveled with a metal fork and spoon and wood chopsticks a few months ago as I was traveling to Japan. I purposely left out the knife because I didn't want to chance it even though it was round butter knife. Mine were in a case and didn't have any issues flying with them.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I have had mini plastic zip ties confiscated and wife had metal straw taken. I personally would not risk it if you like them. I have also seen butter knife confiscated even when woman pointed out TSA website allowed.

This is the key. If you don’t care if it’s confiscated bring it, if you do care do not bring it. There is no arguing your case, TSA is not a democracy.

 

[Lyndarella]

I flew with a butter knife for making sandwiches. In Minnesota the TSA didn't care, but at Orlando, they took it. It was not sharp or pointed, but was metal. It's not something you can plan for.

 

[_19disnA]

I have found that security/TSA rules can vary by airport, including how strictly they interpret what is permitted on the aircraft. Some might have local rules/concerns they don't advertise to the public for obvious reasons. I would put such items in your checked baggage or just leave them at home. Maybe stop at the grocery store when you arrive to buy the type of utensils you prefer.