Scissors and the TSA
 

I'm soon to travel by air and am looking at the TSA website which tells me that sewing scissors less than 4" are allowed in your carry-on. Further, it says 4" from the pivot point which is surprising as 4" from the pivot point could be a very large pair of scissors. I'm wishing to take my beloved Kai 4" curved embroidery scissors to do some hand sewing on my cross country flight. I'm hoping there might be more experienced travelers here that can weigh in on whether I should just stow them or feel confident to carry on?

And I guess, regardless of the rules they have the authority to say no for any reason. So, now I think I'm asking what good alternatives are there (that I can get within the next 36 hours?)

Thank you in advance for the input -
Christine

If you love your scissors that much, and at the price of them, I'm sure you do....why would you take a chance at having them taken, and held until your return trip? I use the little collapsible ones when I do air travel, but then I haven't traveled through the US in these Covid times.

I will see if I can find something smaller such as the collapsible you mention - thanks!

I'd go to Walmart and get a kiddy scissors in the school dept. Less than a dollar and big loss if they takeit.

I agree, the folding scissors would be best. I thought the same thing about knitting. Knitting needles are allowed but I wouldn't take my bamboo needles.

TSA is not reliable on their allowances.....
 

First of all, they don't hold your items, they get thrown in a bin and disposed of, no chance of retrieval.

The first time I traveled with my featherweight, they made me take out the needle. Really????
Don't do what I did: I started laughing and told them I could kill them quicker with the pen in my purse. Needless to say, my purse was then searched. I thought it was funny....no sense of humor those TSA people.

If you are only cutting thread, what about the old dental floss containers. I don't remember if you can still buy the container that unrolls the floss and then has a cutter on the top. I think the last time I checked the Dollar Tree, they only had the picks. This is one brand that you may be able to get at the grocery or drug store https://www.amazon.com/Oral-B-Pro-He...g_bs_3778071_9 Or maybe a letter opener like https://www.amazon.com/ZXTY-Letter-O...679096&sr=8-46

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

Note to self - do not laugh and joke with TSA agents! I could see myself saying something like that, too.

Thanks all - great ideas all around. I'm headed to Wally World to look for some of the alternatives suggested.

I have a pair of fiskers child scissors with curved tips that I use on my sewing machine every day. They are sharp.
bkay

I bought kiddie scissors, the kind kids use in nursery school or kindergarten and have taken them on many plane trips without any problems.

i have never had a problem with my small embroidery scissors. they are good enough to cut/trim thread and small enough notto raise any alarms.

I have worn the floral medallion type thread cutter around my neck on many flights.Never stopped, except to take off due to metal detection.

Fisker's make a child scissors that are very sharp and great for cutting fabric. TSA allowed them on a flight and the cruise ships to also. They have rounded tips like regular school scissors, but are very sharp.

I use the Fisker's kid's scissors all the time at home. I find them much easier to handle than full sized scissors. I buy them when they are on clearance (usually after school starts) at Walmart for 50 cents or so. When they get dull, I toss and take out a new pair. I think the kid's scissors would comply with the TSA guidelines, but I haven't been in an airport in decades, so I am not 100% sure.

I avoid the conflict with a pair of nail clippers. No questions and I am able to trim threads close. Back up with scissors in checked luggage.

I had to forfeit mine when went to Israel. 😩. But that was in 2018.

Christine, I've had good experiences so far but I wouldn't bring your Kai scissors just in case! ( they are my favorites and it would be my luck to get a crabby TSA agent lol)

Thanks all - the Fiskars children's scissors made it thru TSA on both flights but, interestingly, my bag was pulled aside for a closer look each time, although, I never knew exactly why.

Side note - it's amazing how many people you'll meet while hand stitching applique blocks on a plane or at an airport terminal.

I carry a semi-large manilla SASE with me when I fly. In case they wanted to take my scissors or knitting needles (or whatever) I could just stick them in the envelope and mail them to myself. (I never had anything confiscated though...)

I wouldn't risk taking them. They may take them away, even though the website says otherwise. I've had nail clippers and a small, Swiss Army knife (needed the corkscrew on it) taken way before. Buy an inexpensive pair when you get to your destination.

This just reminded me of a time about 5 years ago on our trip to Brazil. I was wearing my passport around my neck in one of those little plastic holders. The woman at the gate said "you have too many carry on's" I was like "wait, what?!!" She said you're passport holder counts as luggage. I couldn't believe my ears but I said "ok, just a sec" and turned to my husband and handed him my purse! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png I seriously think she was just having a control freak day. Sooooo illogical!