needles and airlines

I have never had a problem taking needles for x-stitch on an airplane, but I know some people have said they have.

The rule is supposed to have changed about scissors, it now being that scissors with blades less than 4" are allowed.

However, I have found that this varies from airport to airport. I have no idea why, because it seems like this would be standardized, at least within the country.

What is your departure city? If it's somewhere else, and you're just laying over in Detroit, they won't be rechecking you through security there.

-- Jere

Use an alternative for your scissors - like a Clover style cutter or a tooth floss box. I doubt they would question the needle in the stitched piece, but call your airline or departure airports to double check....never hurts to ask.

Dannielle

I will be flying overseas (Japan) on march 9th. My second-favorite scissors will be in the baggage. I have a $2 pair of stork scissors I bought at a flea market, and a Clover Cutter to take with me in my carry0on case.. Also, I notice that the needle threaders have a cutting edge inside the plastic.

Gillian

Dannielle wrote:

I am flying on Monday, so I just downloaded a list of prohibited/OK items from the TSA. You can find it at this site:

list says that knitting needles are okay, but doesn't mentionneedlepoint-type needles. I'm taking a copy of the list with me in casethey give me a hard time about the knitting needles. I'll let you know howit goes!

Elizabeth

I just went to the site that Elizabeth mentioned. It has a section specific to needlepoint etc. I have cut the appropriate section. I thought it interesting that Clover cutters are NOT permitted.

Quote.."Most of the 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. These items cannot be taken through a Security Checkpoint. They must go in your checked baggage." Unquote.

Gillian

E Folie wrote:

I travel a LOT and have traveled all over North America and overseas since 9/11. I have NEVER had anyone question me about my stitching needles OR the straight pins OR the Clover Cutter! I have been through Detroit but haven't had to go through Security there -- always just changed planes. When I first flew after 9/11, I was worried my needles would be confiscated so I made sure I had on my decorative pin that holds a photo of the SMDGD. Since I DO NOT take off any of my jewelry, I put a needle between the photo and the cardboard backing and everything sets off the "wand" as expected. What can I say -- I can be devious when justified :-)! Anyway, the little container of needles I kept with my project made it through the scanner with no problems (and have ALWAYS made it through) and I didn't need the one I had hidden away

-- LOL! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

I flew in March 2002 for the first time and had scissors taken away as well as a package of needles i had stuffed in a magazine. I've not bothered trying to bring on stuff to do while flying the other three or so times I've flown since then. I hope to fly home this summer with the boys so we'll see how that goes... I need a sanity reliever on the plane ride of 8 hours to the east coast and a couple more into Ohio.

Susan

I think the key is to have your stitching needle(s) actually stuck into your stitching. If the needle is with the needlework, there doesn't seem to be a problem. Again, I am sure it depends on the airport. In the last three years, I have gone through USA security with my stitching (needles, straight pins & Clover Cutter) in Atlanta, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, La Guardia, JFK, Logan, LAX, Honolulu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, New Orleans and Houston and never had a bit of a problem. Right after 9/11 when everyone was still very apprehensive, I was afraid the needles wouldn't make it through security. We were scheduled to go to Ireland on 9/13 and that obviously didn't happen. Anyway, when we did finally go in May 2002, there had been a *lot* of discussion about what you could use to stitch with in place of a needle. Someone thought a dental floss threader might work so I gave that a try. It actually does work!! It's not very practical for even weave fabrics works works a charm on aida. Since I only stitch on aida when I am traveling, I made sure I had a packet of the floss threaders in my carry-on needlework bag. I didn't need them but they DO work in a pinch :-)! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

Thanks Gillian! In case anyone else wants to see the entire page (which contains hints on carrying knitting needles), it is at:

Which part of Oregon will you be visiting? Our EGA group meets in Central Point (near Medford) on the Third Saturday of each month. If you are going to be in the area, we'd love to have you visit. Liz from Humbug

That's always varied based on both the airline and the airport. The FAA base guidelines are just that.. the minimum that is completely banned... Many airlines never took them off their list.

Having said that.. now's a good time to take up needlepoint. You can do that with a (tooth) floss threader. Big hole, but you get used to it. That's what I did when I travelled in Nov. '01. Just don't forget to put your *real* needles in your checked luggage, where they're allowed.

Hmm... and pre-cut your threads, I'm hearing of a lot of little scissors and other cutting things being denyed again.

(technically speaking, those clover cutters are not permitted on board airplanes... they've been mostly overlooked in the past, either on purpose or ignorance but don't count on it, as they fall under the category of things that contain a blade that could (in theory) be removed and used for something else).

-Liz

D> I never paid much attention to this subject since I never travel but I have

If you haven't left yet... Do *NOT* give them a hard time about what you have. Just give it up (the part they won't allow). They are permitted to ban anything they want to... not just go by the FAA baselines.

Object, sure... do *not* pull out a list and get belligerent... or they may decide to delay you for a closer search!

-Liz (um... I had a friend who was do> >

The Rose City Stitchers are in the Portland area. Those who I met while I was out there... wow, 10 years ago now!...were very nice.

-Liz

D> Thanks a good question. Somewhere by Portland Clackamacas or something. My

Thanks for the great tips! I leave tomorrow night, so I have plenty of time to adjust my expectations. ;-) I will bring only what I am ready to lose. How interesting to have a friend who did training with them. I bet they were an IN-teresting crowd!

- Elizabeth

I just wish to hell they would provide a chair to sit down in when they make you take your shoes off. I have arthritis and my knees and hips make it quite difficult. I cannot travel in loose slip on shoes as I have a deviation in the angle where my foot meets my ankle and have a tendency to sprain my right ankle easily. I make every effort I can for those security checks but traveling barefoot is not an option, no belt, no change in my pockets, no pins, no needles, no razors, nothing with any metal at all in my carry on. I am pleasant and know that they are only doing their job but dread traveling to the US. I am embarrassed at the difficulty I have with my shoes, people grumbling behind me. I fell the last time through as I had difficulty straightening up. The weird part is there are chairs just past the check in once one is through in some airports unfortunately not all. so I can at least hobble over , sit down and get my shoes back on. they get a little impatient also if you don't get your scanned carry on, purse etc off the belt " like yesterday" Fortunately my daughter is bringing the grand kids up to Canada to visit this year. Ruby All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no Attention to criticism.

The security people at most airports in the US do NOT ask people to remove shoes that are thin-soled, but do ask everybody wearing thick soles and tennis shoes to remove them. You might consider telling the security people that you have a problem with balance and fall very easily, and ask that you be allowed to sit down while removing your shoes.

I have a pacemaker and security can be a nightmare or very simple, depending upon the people at the security checks. They have me stand aside and get a woman guard (I'm a woman) over to help me. My problem is that when I travel alone there is nobody to go through security first and get my purse and carry-on off the conveyor belt for me, which means that unless the security person gets my things ANYBODY can help himself to my stuff! Sheesh!

My brother-in-law was hurt in England a couple of years ago, and the doctor told him to purchase and use a cane, which wasn't a problem at all until we arrived in New York. The security people certainly needed to put the cane through the x-ray, but told him to walk through without it and pick it up at the other end! He asked them to fetch the cane after it was x-rayed and hand it to him so he could walk, and they said NO! At that point a very old lady with a walker came up for security, and my sister pointed to her and asked the security people if they intended to make her crawl through. The security man decided to return the cane to Tom.

Although security is extremely important, I believe the security personnel should be reminded of and instructed on the Americans With Disabilities Act, which states that people with disabilities cannot be denied access and services, and that reasonable accommodation must be provided. Because of my pacemaker, I cannot go through security machines, and have only had one problem with that. I was at the local courthouse to register my teaching certificates, and was told that I couldn't enter the courthouse unless I went through the machine. I had a pacemaker ID card (and even offered to show them my scar), and asked that they frisk me instead. They refused, and I asked to see a supervisor. Same song and dance! I then asked to speak to a police officer standing nearby. Same song and dance! At that point I suggested that he call upstairs to the State's Attoryney's Office, get one of the assistants on the phone, and tell them there was a lady they were denying access to a public building because she was disabled and couldn't go through their machine, and ask how that might square with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The officer made the call, turned white, and immediately apologised to me. I told him he was welcomed to frisk me without calling a female officer, and he said that wouldn't be necessary at all. He called another officer to come to the front door area and escorted me to the office to get my certificates registered, apologizing all the way. I suggested they establish some alternative security procedures for people who can't go through the usual security, and he said that would be done within 24 hours, which was what the State's Attorney's Office suggested as well. Had I been denied access I was going to make two phone calls -- one to my attorney and another to the local newspaper. Sheesh!

Every single security gate I've passed through recently has required _everyone_ to remove their shoes...even people wearing flip-flops or sandals.

Though why you'd wear flip-flops when travelling...I can't fathom. Becky A.

Possibly because their ankles swell, I have a friend this happens to and her sneakers become most uncomfortable.