Just wondering if any of you know what type of scissors are airline approved to be in carry-on luggage. Going back to Vanuatu next month and want to work on my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt during the wait at the airport and long flight! Thanks

Scissors with blades less than 4" are allowed, per TSA's website.

Last time I traveled, my scissors measured 3 1/2" and I got pulled over at every check point and my carryons were searched.

I advise bringing the smallest scissors possible, take them out of the bag and put them in the container with your shoes to be scanned, and then you should go right on through :D:D:D

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm

PS I always check this site the day before I travel, to make sure there haven't been any changes :wink:

Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches are approved.
NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

tsa link:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...d-items.shtm#4

You might want to check with the airlines you are flying on. This info should be on the airlines web site. Dental floss holders have a cutting edge that you could use possibly.

Are you using them to cut the fabric or just thread? If just thread I take a clover thread cutter with me and put my scissors in the check in luggage.

Just the thread-I have cut the hexagons and papers already and will put them in a plastic tote. I'll check the Clover out-thanks!

Never thought of dental floss-good idea-I'll try it first to make sure it is sharp enough without fraying the thread.

this is what i would do also

Thanks-I'll check out the site. One of the problems is going through Fiji-not the brightest bananas in the bunch-they gave me a REALLY hard time with my small make-up mirror-it can be lit up if you put a tiny battery in it, which I never did-they wanted to see it work and after at least 20 minutes of trying to get them to understand you needed a battery to make it work and I didn't have one-they even took it apart! I was SO angry! On my trip over there in August, they took away my lipstick because it wasn't in the proper clear plastic zip lock bag! I had one in my carry-on, but it wasn't the RIGHT SIZE! I had NO problem going thru LA, so why Fiji on a short lay-over in the departure lounge?? Anyway, with them you never know what to expect-they make up their own rules as they go I guess.

I used a small pair and the bag got tagged, searched and resent through the xray on the way to Houston from Charlotte. On the way back to Charlotte, I pulled the scissors out and put them in the bin with my shoes, like someone else stated and I had no problems.

I know rules for flying in the Uk are different from the states but a couple of years ago I took my cross stitch on board on a trip to Germany.
No scissors...threads all cut etc with the thought I could neated them later.
During the flight I was politely but firnly asked by the stewardess to put it away...and how had I managed to get it through security...explained no scissors and she told me needles weren't allowed either...didn't want to argue it was blunt!
I think I might try and see if the rues have relaxed a little here too.
I am all for improving safety but it has to be practical.

I use a pair of fingernail clippers if all I need is to just cut thread. Never had any problems taking a pair of fingernail clippers with me on the planes for that.

Thanks,
Sherryl
candlequilter

I wouldn't take any scissors at all even if they say you're allowed to. You can come across an inspector who may decide to create a fuss. I always take an empty dental floss container. Works like a charm.

Never thought of the needle-hope they allow that! I guess it is best be up-front-It will all be in a clear plastic art bin tote which I can put thru the exray. If they take it away, it just means I can't work on it at the airport or on the plane, but can replace them in Vanuatu when I get there. I'm not worried about LA-but Fiji is a real pain in the %#$
Thanks Sherryl-I can see if DH will carry a small fingernail clipper-so if they take mine off me, maybe they will let his pass.

If they are that picky I would do the dental floss container a lot cheaper to replace if they should take it. I would also only take one needle on the plane no sense having to replace it all when you get there.

good point!

I have tried to find out a few times if I could take a needle on a plane and I keep hearing "it's up to security at the particular airport", so I haven't done it.

I too remember the days when you could cross stitch in planes- it was a great way to fill time.I suppose some looney can make a poison dart out of a sewing needle or something? The mind boggles.

As for taking a scissors through Fiji- my prediction is that it will end in tears- bring a nail clippers (one without a file, of course!) I hope you can get a needle or two through.

Here's another point to be very aware of if you're looking for a non scissor solution... You know those thread cutters (Fons and Porters) has them, that are the pendant kinds that look like round broach/pendant you'd wear on your neck or can attach to your keychain that have the little divits around them where you can place your thread to cut it... these have razor blades in them and aren't allowed either, so don't buy one in efforts to avoid the problems of bringing scissors. It's a waste of money as they will get confiscated.

Explosive blessings, abundance and inspiration to you all!
- The Creative Seamstress

I use the tiniest scissors for the trip. Mine only measure 3 inches....and I put them on a lanyard, so that I could but it in the bin with my shoes...no problem going thru.
The lanyard is also good so that you don't drop them on the plane.
Take only 1 needle with you as carryon. You can take an extra in your checked luggage. I took big scissors with in the checked luggage and needles. I put them in an outside pocket inside a pair of socks. I showed them to the person checking me in and she said that was just fine the way that I had them.

Blunt children's scissors went back and forth to Hawaii with no problems. I agree with putting them with your shoes to be scanned else they will need to open everything up to see it.

I took a pair of small embroidery scissors to work on some quilting while on a Delta flight. The scissors and blades of the scissors fell well within the code. They were confiscated anyway because it "might make the other passengers nervous". I explained that they were within code and that they cost me $40. When they would not concede, I applied a quick twist of the wrist and rendered them unusable. The inspector looked at me and then said since they weren't any good anymore the airlines were not interested in confiscating them anymore. The 'mean' in me pointed out that they now made perfect blades. They wound up in the nearest trash recepticle and I almost got kicked off the flight. Not worth the hassle or heartache I felt at losing a favorite pair of scissors. Now everything is precut and I use a clover disc that hangs as a pendent around my neck.... no further problems.

I think I will try the empty floss container, and get the Clover finger ring cutter to try-the pendant has the round blade inside, but I think the ring is just like a floss cutter. Anyway, I'll try those. I'll bring the smallest needle I have and just hope I can keep it! If my stuff makes it thru LA, that's the main thing. Al least I can work on it at the airport waiting for the flight and on the plane. Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

The whole thing doesn't make much sense to me because a broken piece of a wine bottle would make an exceedingly sharp point and a fine weapon, and yet they allow them on all the flights...as "duty free" shopping.

Why does no one object or declares a glass bottle a weapon? I have no idea unless it is the shops that are putting the pressure on to keep allowing them.

Here is a great pair. They have the blunt ends. They are kind of expensive but they are very sharp and will last you a long time. I purchased mine at a quilt show and I think they were 29.00 there.

http://www.createforless.com/Heritag.../pid80124.aspx

I have a round point pair of friskars that I take on planes. Even the ones in my overnight essentials bag have been taken in airports in the past and they were only manicure scissors. I was extremely upset about it becuase I was on my return journey from a round the world trip. I had left US flown to Germany from Germany to Hong Kong to Singapore. On the way back, I was only flying from Singapore, stop in Hong Kong to LA back to GA and they were taken in Singapore.

They look like great scissors-but a bit pricy-especially going thru Fiji where they seem to enjoy taking things off you even if it is legal in most of the world-and there is NO talking them out of it! Thanks!

Hadn't thought of dental floss cutter, but DO have one of those Clover round cutters. One friend uses the fold-over ones & has traveled w/ them for years. I had a really good pair taken away w/ tiny points, so I don't put any in my carry-on now. I've never been questioned about the needles - just roll it up in my fabric or cross-stitch. Mostly I read in airports now & leave my small sewing projects in the suitcase! I wouldn't dare risk a big project in my luggage, though.

If you are afraid of getting them taken, I think I would go with the dental floss holder. They have good sharp cutters in them and if they want it, it is no big deal.

After pondering this now, I think your right! Got one in my little tote now. Didn't see any need to empty it, so as long as my needle gets to stay put, I should be ok (well, lets hope, anyway.) Like I said, anything can happen in Fiji, though!

I was able to take knitting needles with me when we flew in November, I was kind of surprised at that. Seems to me that could me used as a weapon if you were inclined to do so, but the type with the loop and two ends aren't allowed. I think that is the type you knit socks with.

Well have fun on your trip. :thumbup: :P :thumbup:

I've never had a problem with taking a needle but worst case you can pick up a cheap sewing kit at the airport after security.

Quick story-I travelled from Vanuatu to LA a few years ago after having blood clots in my lungs on a long flight (DVT's) the year before and was given Coumiden (sp?) in pre-filled syringes from the hospital I was medical evacuated to in New Zealand. I was told to keep them in case I got them again-especially since I traveled frequently on these long 11-13 hour flights. I packed a box of 8 syringes (with needles) in my carry-on from Vanuatu to LA, and back thru LA to Fiji and Vanuatu-and NEVER ONCE did anyone even open my bag to look at them when they went thru the X-ray!!

i tend to use a sharp pair of nail clippers...so much cheaaper than the clover cutters

A ball point pen can be a lethal weapon. So can a pencil. And a flashlight. A high heeled shoe. A key. A brooch. Geez, I bet a lot of every day items could be used as a weapon. Now don't arrest me...I'm just saying.......
I'd never take my good scissors, even though approved. it just takes one person to ruin your day (and your trip).

Last time I flew, I bought a 99 cent pair of child scissors to take with me. Figured that wouldn't hurt much if taken. I also took a small set of wooden needles that were also inexpensive (probably bought with a Joann's coupon) and cotton to make washcloths.

I take the smallest kid scissors - they dont measure more than 4 inches and have a blunt tip. Have never had a problem

Yea-and that one person you can count on will be some security agent in Fiji who is on a power-trip! They took a lip stick off me that was in my cosmetic bag-but let me keep the one in my purse after searching thru it! Go figure!

I had to give up a pair of antique embroidery scissors in the Vegas airport. I carried them for fingernails and tag removal - tags in clothes drive me crazy. On the outgoing trip, they were in my checked luggage, but I used them in the motel room the morning we left and dropped them in my purse out of habit. Security would not let me have them. I could go see if I could find my luggage or go buy a mailer and mail them to myself. It was midnight and the plane was due to leave soon, so I had to give them up. They couldn't have been any more than three inches long. I was not a happy camper.

I wonder who has those scissors now?