I take a book when I fly. No more handwork for me. I guess that is why I really prefer to drive anymore...I can take my handstitching or knitting in the car with me and never have to worry! Seriously, take a book and your Ipod.

Since my DH will be with me, if I read (don't have an I-pod), it would be pretty anti-social-if I stitch, I can still talk to him. We have 3 hours to kill at each of the airports. I have always taken a book in the past, even bought a few quilting magazines, but I thought this time I would pay a bit more attention to him - plus, at night, reading puts me to sleep! The flight doesn't leave LA until nearly midnight! I will pack my book in my carry-on anyway, just in case!

The heck with scissors and needles... when my DD was traveling to London, the security wouldn't let her carry her PILLOW... said it was a carry on and exceeded the limit... she was really upset.

A pillow??? That's bizarre!! Guess when traveling it depends if the official is in a good mood or not. I know their jobs are extremely difficult and they have a huge responsibility - I would definitely rather have them overly conscientious but sometimes incidents happen that make you wonder if it isn't a 'power trip' on their part.

I used a clover thread cutter and needles in Nov going to and coming back from Hawaii with no problems. They didn't even open the bag to check it futher. I really liked using it because it was easy and efficient.

Some airports are very strict when counting carry-ons. ( I have seen why, at time people have their handbag, a laptop bag and a small suitcase and then other various packages). There is only so much space in the the overheads and on flights that last hours, this extra stuff takes up space. (kinda the one bad apple approach, that instead of taking care of the abusers they count the items each person has.

I took a dental floss container on the plane. Be sure to check for sharpness, mine was very good....but did the job for my embroidery thread.
I traveled last month to AZ.

Make sure if you take nail clippers that it does not have a file on this. Get "baby nail clippers." DH unit was stopped all had nail clippers with files on them.They were all taken away from 33 men and women. NO files on clippers.
Have a nice flight.

I found out that what is good in USA is not enough in Europe, for example

The clover cutters aren't technically allowed. Buy a super cheap pair of scissors that are less than 4". I generally travel with several pairs, and have never had a problem. Just make sure that they're cheap, so it won't sting if they're taken away. Remember that TSA agents always have the authority to be more strict than the published rules, if they feel it's warranted.

I have an old thimble that my mother gave me when I first learned to sew that has a sharp thread cutter embedded in the side. I've never even had them take a second look. Just be sure you take a threader as the cuts from anything not scissors can leave a rough frayed edge of the thread. The only way I can thread the needle is with a threader. Have a great trip.

I bought a pair at WalMart---about $7, they're heavy plastic and short. Look like kids' toy scissors but they work very well and no problems at airports.
Good luck, Kutnso

I have taken my small embroidery scissors -less than 5" and had no problem. I too was working on a paper piecing project.

I fly all over the world and the rules are different everywhere you go. I've had tiny applique pins confiscated in some countries. I have a pair of kindergarten scissors with blunt tips and they go through everywhere. If all I want is to cut thread, they work fine. I have also used a pair of scissors design for cutting baby's fingernails which are also blunt but longer. They seem to be OK as well. I have never had anyone question a needle.

I have a medalion that I wear around my neck that has a circular blade in it. (Maybe that's the clover item mentioned earlier.) Anyway, most quilt stores and other fabric stores carry them. It cuts threads just fine. the plastic needle threaders also have a cutter on them.

Don't know if it was mentioned, didn't have time to search the entire thread, but it is my understanding that the clover type cutter (which has a small encased blade) is not allowed.

The TSA site says this under special items: Knitting Needles and Needle point:

Knitting needles are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage.

Items needed to pursue a Needlepoint project are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage with the exception of circular thread cutters or any cutter with a blade contained inside which cannot go through the checkpoint and must go in your checked baggage.

Clover or Fons and Porter thread cutter is what I take. I have never had any problems with needles. I never carry scissors on board. My husband had his 40 year old cross pen conviscated stating that it was thin enough to be used as a weapon. He really misses that pen....They said they would mail it back to him for $25! He had already been through two other check ins in Chicago and New York with the pen and no problems. Depends on the inspector I guess. I always have to be hand scanned due to underwires in bra. I don't understand taking off sweaters and jackets if the metal detectors are working? They don't make the the middle eastern ladies take off the long flowing garments that cover them from head to toe....no rhyme or reason sometimes.
D in TX

I have a very pretty pendant that has a cutting edge in the design. Some LQS's carry them. I think it was less than $10. You have to buy a chain for it separately.

When we travel that is how I do it and never have any trouble. I always make sure I put my scissors in with my shoes(not in the shoes) leave them out in plain sight so they can see them and not think you are hiding something. I have never had any problems. If snips work for you they would be great to take. As long as the blades are 4" or less they should be fine.

Metal detectors don't catch everything, as not all items of concern are made of metal. Also, many bras use plastic "underwires," so I'm sure you could find one to wear when traveling if you are concerned.

Also, the burqua isn't allowed to be removed in public, which is the reason it's worn to begin with. It is my understanding that women are sometimes asked to remove them, but it is done in private in order to respect their religious beliefs.

I take my handquilting with me on the plane. I travel a couple of times a year. I carry a pair of children's scissors with the rounded ends. Only once was I questioned about them. You certainly can't do much damage with them.

There are scissors made for airline travel, they are short, and have rounded tips - no sharp points. I have them and traveled many times with them. Even short kids scissors would work.

I just went to Dallas and took a pair of kids scissors. Had no trouble from Phoenix to or from.

i take small nail clippers, no one ever asked about them, and they cut the thread very nicely for threading

We were on a trip several years ago and I had a wool sweater with metal buttons on. Luckily I had a turtle neck on underneath the sweater. When I went thru security they told me I had to take my sweater off because of the metal buttons. Why? I don't like to fly anyway so maybe from now on we will drive .

Several years ago, I was coming home from the Houston Quilt show and had a carry on bag with supplies from a class I took that morning. I completely forgot that I had my rotary cutter and some smaller scissors in my bag. The security people never raised one eye about the rotary scissors, but had a fit about the scissors. I fully expected that they would require that I remove the blade from the cutter, but they did not. Little did they know what kind of damage could be done with the rotary cutter....

Take a good child's blunt "point" scissors. Fiskars makes a good one.

I usually try to carry a blunt nosed pair of scissors. Have never had a problem.

In the Clotilda catalogue, they sell a round pendant that has slots around the edge that has very small razors in them to trim & clip threads. Next time I fly, I'm going to use it, I had my scissors conficated before & they were very small.

Save a container for dental floss and use it to cut your thread. It should be fine for air travel.

I've been back and fourth between the US and the Uk and Ireland for years and I have always sewn on flights. I use the clover cutter too. I have been lucky not to have a needle taken away.

As my US Marine pals say - you can injure someone with a pencil - so what they think they are achieving by taking a ladies sewing needle I dont know!!!!

Last month my daughter went to Costa Rica. In the US ,Delta let her bring knitting needles in her carry on. When she came back Costa Rice Delta would not let her bring them. They are in the garage because her bags were already checked in. Good luck.

You could also take toe nail clippers that will at least cut the threads

I had the small embroidery ones and they were taken from me . But I was allowed to keep my small pointed doily crochet hooks. Which could do alot more damage than my tiny scissors. Think it really depends who is checking you in

After reading many of the answers etc - thought that as I do work in legal, & in this area as well - then a few things do need to be clarified.
For a start on ALL International flights - ALL sharp objects are required to be placed in check in luggage - not hand luggage & sharp objects that are to be placed in check in luggage - need to be placed in safe container that sharp objects cannot puncture.

A matter of common sense is this......all passengers want to feel safe & lets face it - better to be safe than sorry right......after all once you up up in the air - then thats it.

Yes some may think that security is going over board, but I can tell you right now the amount of places that "Would be Terrorist's" are now using is mind boggling....& that ain't funny....they are not dumb - & they are very clever in their excuses etc.

So think about it.....please put ALL sharp objects in check in luggage - not hand luggage.

On another note re the quilter about the lipstick.....it has happened in the UK that a small portion of lipstick was hollowed out & a certain amount of small portion of chemical to ignite was then placed back in lipstick.

Workers at the International check points know full well that if they miss anything & something does happen on a flight that they think "oh good enough is okay" - then they also know that would be held responsible & think about this.....those same workers see the looks on faces of relatives who are given any bad news.

Quilters not trying to scare etc......but there are very good reasons & unfortunately I am not in a position to give full details...but take it from me....the reasons are not to annoy you - but to keep you safe & protect when flying.

we used small nail clippers to cut thread on the plane

I know you can travel with children's blunt tip scissors. I take those for my knitting.

Fingernail clippers work great too for clipping threads. That's what I always use when traveling.

I have my clover on a chain and I wear it around my neck just like a neckless never had a problem, but I take crocheting with me.

I use a child's fiskar scissors with a blunt point. I've carried them all over the US, to Europe and to Mexico and Costa Rico without a problem.

Never had a problem with a needle either, usually embroidery or needlepoint.

My daughter flies all over the world for her job and has taken knitting needles with her with no problems.

At a quilt show recently the demonstrator said the she has a "medallion" necklace that cuts thread. She has worn it all over the world to cut threads.