TSA - Knitting needles??

[zurgswife]

My dd and I were discussing her bringing or not bringing knitting needles...I didn't see them on a quick check of TSA site....but it just seems like something that would be restricted.

I'm not a knitter and have never needed to know about them; so if someone could chime in...

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If they're not on the list, they are allowed. Have your daughter look into the knitting needle that is a needle on one end and a slide on the other end to slide the knitting onto after stiched.

 

[KPeterso]

I always bring my knitting on the plane. Never a problem. I have actually had flight attendants or TSA security ask what I am working on and strike up a conversation about it. I have found that it is best to try to use circular and wooden needles. Love circular needles, but hate wood needles. Just remember, no scissors. I also put my knitting project in a ziplic bag, so that if they want to look more closely at it, they can see right in, but hopefully not have to actually touch it.

 

[DebbieB]

I've seen people in the airport with knitting needles so they must be OK.

 

[LadyBeBop]

They're OK, but I'd make sure you have a knitting project associated with it. If this is a new project, I'd knit, at least, the first few rows before taking it through security. Your needles may be questioned more without a project.

 

[no capes darling]

I've knitted on domestic and international flights with no problem. Actually on one of the international flights there was an attendant on the flight that was a knitter as well... the others that were working with her told me that she always had a project to work on for breaks, etc.

I prefer bamboo needles, FWIW. They're easily found at Michaels Craft stores.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I always bring my knitting on the plane. Never a problem. I have actually had flight attendants or TSA security ask what I am working on and strike up a conversation about it. I have found that it is best to try to use circular and wooden needles. Love circular needles, but hate wood needles. Just remember, no scissors. I also put my knitting project in a ziplic bag, so that if they want to look more closely at it, they can see right in, but hopefully not have to actually touch it.

Circular, that was the word I was looking for.

 

[Alesia]

Just remember, no scissors.

You can bring scissors, as long as the blades are less than 4 inches.

 

[zurgswife]

Thanks guys...she'll be happy to hear that she can knit her Huffelpuff (Harry Potter) scarf while in route. We are planning to see the midnight showing of HP when we return home...so if she can knit while we are away it would be perfect...

 

[CPT Tripss]

While knitting needles are OK now, the advice -

If they're not on the list, they are allowed.

is not good advice.

Airport Security Screeners can prohibit just about anything based on these "weasel words" from the TSA site.

The prohibited items list is not intended to be all-inclusive and is updated as necessary. To ensure travelers' security, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) may determine that an item not on the Prohibited Items List is prohibited.

[SIZE="1"]http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm[/SIZE]

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Knitting needles were banned for a while after 9-11, but have been okay for years.

 

[Brer Chump]

A closer look at the TSA website yields:

In general, you may place your knitting needles and needlepoint tools in carry-on or checked baggage.

Circular thread cutters or any other cutter or needlepoint tools that contain blades must be placed in checked baggage. You are permitted to keep scissors smaller than 4 inches in your carry-on baggage.



Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

i had my knitting with me on our flights earlier this month. nothing was said more problems with breathing machine.

 

[mirage0306]

You can bring knitting needles. I am a knitter and have brought them to knit on the plane.

 

[Sandi]

I've knitted on domestic and international flights with no problem. Actually on one of the international flights there was an attendant on the flight that was a knitter as well... the others that were working with her told me that she always had a project to work on for breaks, etc.

I prefer bamboo needles, FWIW. They're easily found at Michaels Craft stores.

I was able to fly with my knitting needles to Mexico, but the Mexican equivalent of the TSA confiscated them on my trip back to the US. We were on Delta and it took so long to go through security that I didn't have time to have them put in my checked bag.

No problem taking them to and from Switzerland, however. So, if you are on an international trip, make sure you know what the other country's requirements are when leaving.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I was able to fly with my knitting needles to Mexico, but the Mexican equivalent of the TSA confiscated them on my trip back to the US. We were on Delta and it took so long to go through security that I didn't have time to have them put in my checked bag.

No problem taking them to and from Switzerland, however. So, if you are on an international trip, make sure you know what the other country's requirements are when leaving.

Good point. Many countries do not allow knitting needles and I have read in many places that they will usually be confiscated in Mexico.

 

[Sandi]

Good point. Many countries do not allow knitting needles and I have read in many places that they will usually be confiscated in Mexico.

It was my fault for not checking. I just assumed that if they let you fly in with them, they'd let you fly out with them. DD said that the Mexican TSA guy's grandma probably had every size she needed. That, at least, made me smile. I was just glad they were my bamboo needles and not my turbos.

 

[vettegirl]

My MIL who flys several times a month, takes hers all the time. She has never had a problem.