What should I not pack in carry on luggage?

[MB MinnieGirl]

My DD4 and I are flying to see my best friend who is expecting a baby tomorrow in Ohio. The only time I have flown in the past 5 years is to WDW and the carry on then was basically her coloring books etc. to keep her occupied on plane.

This time we had a lot to pack and I have 2 carry on's - one with most of my cosmetic items such as hair brush, shampoo, hair dryer, etc. My question is other than the obvious such as nail clippers and metal files are there any items I should not pack in our carry on so that we won't be held up at security?

As a single mom this is our first trip flying together alone since my parents joined us for WDW. Any advise is appreciated.

 

[Barb D]

What airline are you flying on? They probably have a list of what you can't carry on.

Some things are OK to carry on, but might slow you down going through security. Every time I've had my EpiPen (needle) in my carry on, it's had to go through twice. When I put it by itself in the little bin, it goes right through, I guess because they can it.

 

[gr8tpanther]

I wouldn't take a bookmark with you

 

[spearenb]

heads... human or otherwise....

 

[Patty3]

I was told by Delta and American that hairspray will not be allowed in a carryon bag. Right after 9/11, I was told the same thing about perfumes, but I am not sure if this is still the case.

 

[Amberle3]

You can find the complete list of prohibited items on the TSA website - go to http://www.tsa.gov/public/ and then click on "travel tips"

Or you can go directly to the pdf with the prohibted items at http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_12_18_2003.pdf

 

[Patty3]

Thanks Amberle3, I will now put my hairspray in my carryon. I wonder why both of those airlines told me that I could not have hairspray in my carryon when the site specifically says you can?

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

Darn! I had just packed both of my human heads and now you tell me I can't take them!

Thanks for the info. I'll go check out the site. I was wondering if anybody knew of any items that were allowed but that cause issues that would hold us up.

Thanks for the advise

 

[NC Belle]

I was also wondering what is allowed--first trip by air since 8/2001. Thanks for the links!

 

[Blondie]

I've been packing both hairspry and perfume in my carry on with no problems.

My DS wanted to pack his rubber hand (used at Halloween time) in our carry on, but I told him that might not be a good idea!

 

[minnie56]

tweezers confiscated Twice! I didn't learn the first time!

 

[Blondie]

Tweezers? What are they afraid of, you plucking out someone's eye with it? I just checked mine, and they aren't even that sharp. Oh well...I guess someone discovered something dangerous to do with tweezers!

 

[DisneyMim]

Nailclippers. They took ours away. Also I packed a Mickey Pizza cutter that I bought at the last minute (gotta love those last minute shopping trips!!). WELL, I got to the gate and they wanted to take it away!! I almost cried and said "You can't take my Mickey pizza cutter away!!" Everyone in line had a good laugh and I got to keep it, but I would not recommend packing one or any kind of sharp object.

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

Thanks for all the tips!!

Thank God there is a vacation at the end of all the packing!

 

[minnie56]

I guess they thought I would pluck the Flight crews brows out!

Gets silly after awhile...Like Air Canada now gives us a stainless steel knife and plastic fork. I am sure if we were so inclined to do something the plastic fork would suffice in a pinch!

 

[LisaZoe]

You can take your human heads you just have to check them. Make sure they are well sealed, though, to prevent leakage.

To seariously answer your question, I just found it easier to put in my checked luggage anything I though might cause problems. It takes long enough to go through the screening without any delays so it wasn't worth the risk.

When DD and I changed planes in Denver recently, we had to go from one concourse to another. I, unfortunately, took a wrong turn and ended up beyond the security area which meant we had to go through it to get to our next plane. For some reason, they only had 2 of the 6 possible lines open and it looked like the line I was in was one being used for training! We saw 3-4 people gathered around the monitor watching as things went through the machine (there was only 1 person on the other line doing this). They were also making everyone take off their shoes and put them through the machine. Needless to say, this really slowed things down.

Some things I've heard it's best to check:

1. Any needlework implements, such as knitting needles, crochet hooks, embroidery scissors.
2. You can take children's scissors (last I heard) in your carry on as long as they have the blunt, rounded tips. I checked ours as I didn't want to have this to cause problems.
3. Tweezers, nail files and nail clippers (as mentioned above)
4. Pocket knives, of course although it's surprising how many people still don't think to put these in their checked luggage
5. Cork screws
6. Anything metal or pointed that could by any stretch of the imagination be used as a weapon
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[MB MinnieGirl]

LisaZoe -

First of all your daughter is beautiful!

I am planning on DD4 and myself wearing easy on/off shoes because of this very reason. I'm glad you mentioned sewing! I need to double check that my mending kit isn't in my purse where I generally have it - I think I have a small needle in there - opps!

 

[Barb D]

I've never had a problem with plastic crochet hooks or knitting needles, or regular sewing needles. I always take needle work on the plane to keep my hands occupied. Again, put your needlework out in a bin when you're going through security so they can see it clearly.

 

[dreams91]

So I looked at the list...it says that you can have tweezers, so I wonder why you got them confiscated twice.. I was suprised to see that you can take knitting needles, I can understand a crochet hook, as it is blunt and not sharp. That is cool, I want to be able to do something on the plane!! What about cross stitch? Anyone know?

 

[MaryJ]

Originally posted by dreams91
So I looked at the list...it says that you can have tweezers, so I wonder why you got them confiscated twice.. I was suprised to see that you can take knitting needles, I can understand a crochet hook, as it is blunt and not sharp. That is cool, I want to be able to do something on the plane!! What about cross stitch? Anyone know?

I just took my cross stitch with me when we flew to Maine in August. I substituted blunt children's scisssors for my pointy cross stitch scissors. Even so, they did a search of my bag to verify that they were blunt. Knitting is fine. I have taken it with me many times in the last year or so. I also took perfume in my carry on and no one even questioned it.