Question for anyone who has flown (internationally, on a commercial airplane, I mean) lately with their sewing supplies. The CATSA/FAA website says I'm allowed "sissors with blunt points" and "small needles in a sewing kit" in my carry-on luggage. I'd love to take a little project with me to pass the time on the flight.

Has anyone flown internationally with sissors and needles lately? Do you think my tiny embroidery sissors and a couple of needles (for stitching the binding onto some quilted coasters I'm making) will pass security?

Thanks!
Jan

They sell blunt nosed scissors now at LQS and online that are supposee to be airline approved here in the states. I have not heard here that small sewing needles have been banned. You could call the airlines, airport, or your airline security and find out for sure :wink:

I have a pair of fold up scissors that WILL NOT make it thru the security. My advice would be to go to Walmart or somewhere and buy a pair of blunt nose OR what I use now....baby nail clippers!

Terri, have they ever stopped you for trying to bring sewing needles?

I wasn't flying internationally, but it was after 9/11. They let me take scissors and crochet hooks on board!!! I think they felt sorry for me....taking 2 daughters and 4 kids to Disneyland!!! :shock: :shock:

No, I just have this little sewing kit. Not actually a kit. Just one of those papers folded with 2 needles, couple pieces of thread and a button. No clue where it came from. It's small enough to fit into my wallet. That's where I keep it.

Flying from France to England, you are not allowed even a needle... Maybe check the airline's conditions on their website? The worst they'll do is take it off you though!

If you only want the sissors to cut thread why not take some dental floss. The container will have a cutter on it to cut your thread. Marge

I've never had a problem with the little thing I have that goes in my wallet. I have had my travel scissors TRIED to be taken away, but have always managed to get them into my suitcase. Now, I just bring my baby nail clippers with me.

OK, I think I'll put my needles in one of those little "sewing kits" (like the ones you sometimes get in hotel rooms) in my makup bag, and bring nail clippers rather than sissors for cutting thread.

Thanks all!
Jan

That's a good question, I'd be interested in why no needles. Maybe you could poke out an eye???

That's a brilliant idea! Love it! Will use it the next time we fly!!

I gave my granddaughter a little pair of kids scissors and they took them. I think it depends on the airport security. I wouldn't spend a lot on them because there is the chance of them taking them.

I have a little clover pendant that I carry with me and it has a small blade on the inside where you can cut your threads. The blade is impossible to open up as the pendant has several grooves in it to cut your threads.

Hope this helps!

you could poke out the pilot's eye!! LOL

You know when you think about it, you can use just about anything. Trevor and I sat down one day in between flights talking about security and what is and not allowed on flights and when you think about it (whenever in a sadistic mood or just bored between travels), take a look at people walking around the airport terminals after they get through security and see all the things they can take on board that could become potential weapons.. You would be amazed!!!

Not that I'm about to take over a plane or do anything drastic like that, but it makes you think!

This is one thing I found funny though. Shortly after 911 I went on a flight from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia. they removed all the metal cutlery and gave you plastic forks and knives. You can still hurt someone with a plastic knife! I've been dumb enough using a plastic knife to cut a bread roll to butter it and cut myself!!! It didn't tickle either!

i had my stuff taken from security when we went on our asia trip but i'm in NYC and its a sensitive issue here.

Thanks Klue. I'm flying to the UK, and I think they are way more picky than we are in Canada, for the same reason.

Jan

I'm wondering if they are still as strict about it?

I had bought some of those lots of confiscated scissors through e-bay - and I haven't seen those large lots of scissors available since April (I'd been away from a computer for about six months)

Some of the scissors in those lots were NICE - $20+ ones - and some wouldn't cut paper and I wonder why anyone would have bought them to begin with.

In a couple of the 300 lot ones, I'd say about 10% were excellent, 25% were crappy, and the rest were somewhere in between.

If someone wants to do damage to someone else, it seems like the ways are limitless.

Bottom line, only bring something you are willing to surrender.

i think time and location plays into "still sensitive" - our asia trip was in feb of this year.

they took my stork scissors, here's a link so you can see how deadly they are...

http://www.amazon.com/Tweezerman-Sto.../dp/B000143MH8

Yep.. they could really leave a mark!! I have a pair of those myself and wouldn't take them on at all. I don't want to lose mine!

i was upset about the loss and did give them a tongue lashing for taking them.

i haven't been on a plane since - i'm pushing DH to buy an RV because i'm just sick of the "flying" environment.

the next step at our airports will be stripping down to bra and panties.

Don't want to be the bearer of bad news but my Mum had a sewing kit taken off her flying from France to England...

Thanks K. I've decided to just take a couple of needles that I don't mind loosing, and nail clippers to cut my thread.

Worst case scenario is they take my needles and I can't sew on the plane. I'll pack extras in my checked baggage.

Jan

Good plan - you might get away with it!

I just flew to Colorado and back on Northwest airlines. In my carry on I had knitting needles, a crochet hook, my stork scissors and a small quilting needle stuck into a spool of thread. I also had a 6 inch metal ruler (the one with the slide in the middle that we all used in Home-Ec class) and they didn't even blink when it went through x-ray. Maybe I got lucky but this is the second time I've flown with this stuff in my carry-on.

A lot depends on the airport, the country and the individual security agent. I wouldn't chance scissors of any sort and just take a container of dental floss and use that for cutting. (plus you can clean your teeth!) They do sell little round thread cutters, but a floss container is just as effective, less expensive and serves a dual purpose! As for needles - you might want to check with the airline, but you could just slip a couple into a little case like Terri mentioned and see what happens. The worst case scenario is that they confiscate them. So bring a book - just in case! Many of them now allow knitting needles, but a few don't. My friend was told she could bring plastic knitting needles, not metal, but I was never told that. Most allow crochet hooks, but I had a problem, not with security - they let me through with no problem, but with a flight attendent on Quantas. She got all crazy and actually had the co-pilot come to my seat and ask me to put it away for the rest of the flight.

Nail clippers are fine, as long as they do not see the metal nail file that some of them have folded inside...they will confiscate those! Most of the baby nail clippers do not have them. :wink:

What I don't understand is....you can take matches on board, but not a lighter. Hmmmm.........

Interesting comments! :?

I have had no problems with getting on board with these items. Just be sure your sissors have blunt ends. Mine purchased at LQS have little round balls on the tips. They are very sharp. I have taken both quilting and counted cross stitch with me and never had a problem. 14 days after 9/11 I flew to Greece with one of those cutters that look like a necklace and my blunt tapestry needles for my counted cross stitch.
Connie

my DD bought one of those cutters that look like a necklace that fits around your neck and only cuts thread...we usually only do hand projects anyway

Actually, I think it could be used to strangle someone. It's very strong and won't break like string. Maybe airport security hasn't put it on a watch list, though. Plus, you could always bring an empty dental floss container just for the cutter.

Nail clippers are a no no in these parts... :(

5 years I flew from UK to Australia so took a long time choosing projects to keep me occupied during the flight and bought a Clover circular cutter (which you attach a chain to and wear round your neck) which went entirely unnoticed. In fact I didn't actually do any sewing because I forgot to put my reading glasses in my handluggage!! Haven't made that mistake since but I find I'm not comfortable enough to sew and when I have done I've usually ripped out and started again when I get home.
Thanks for the brilliant site - I've been lurking for some time looking at the beautiful work you all produce and thought it about time I joined properly.

I have taken nail clippers on board lately with no problem. Last time we flew, had more problems with my metal knee - I was checked over for about 5 minutes - offered to show them the scar, but they weren't interested. LOL We left enough time because we knew they would stop us. I usually read on planes, so never have tried to take needles. The October we flew after 911, they were a lot more strict then they are now. But you have to thank them for being so strict - it might save your life.

Two years ago my daughter was flying back to Maryland with Maine blueberry jelly and they took it - she called me on my cell and I had to go back in the airport and get it - luckly we have small airports here in Maine. The TSA agent said they would just throw the jelly away, even though she offered to give it to the agent.

Just to follow up on this thread that I started before my trip:

I ended up taking a box of dental floss to cut my thread, like someone here suggested, because I couldn't find my nail clippers. I had no problem at all with the needles (and a few pins) at the airport in Ottawa. They were in a ziplock with my hand-sewing project that was packed in my carry-on.

On the way back, I forgot that I had stowed my little embroidery scissors (which I had packed in my hold luggage on the way there) in the ziplock with the rest of my sewing stuff in my carry-on, but it still passed through security at Heathrow airport in London with no problems! I was very surprised afterwards when I realised I had left them there, but I guess they were small enough that the guy running the scanning machine either missed them or didn't think they were a threat. They did make us take off our shoes, though (which they didn't in Ottawa on the way out), so they were being very thorough.

Jan

Another thing is most airlines now have lists available on their web sites on what you can and cannot carry on. Check the web sites because they are always changing and even different airlines have different policies. Before I flew to vegas I went to Walmart to the school section and bought a small pair of blunt end scissors less than 3 inches and they were fine for the carry on, but just in case they weren't I wouldn't be upset to lose them :lol:
Sharon