New experience flying

[Ignition Override]

A civilian pilot I worked with years ago told me that he had carried a ceramic-blade knife in his flight bag. Those former T-38 IPs can be quite clever.

At that time it wasn't detected by any security "walk-through" equipment. These days, staff normally can use a "security bypass" only at their crewbase airport.

You don't want to take a chance on ceramic blades these days, and the Sensitivity of normal security machines can be adjusted by TSA, or might possibly be manufactured by different companies..

 

[rkittine]

Also the TSA will do spot checks, which usually end up with the bags being zip lock tied back. You find their note in the bag. I always loved it when they opened my dive bag after 10-14 days of 7 dives per day. I can not stand it until they are soaked in True Green for a day or so. For added precaution, I always used zip ties on the zipper ends of my bags and always carry a small nail clipper with me.

All of my IPs were pretty clever and I learned a lot more than just how to fly a particular war bird from each of them. I recently reconnected with my T-37 IP who is now the airport manager ay a local field that I fly out of.

Bob

 

[vintovka]

Just for fun (and sorry if an old mans fond memories). Last time i flew with a gun it was a newly acquired full size 1853 Enfield Musket from Martin Rettings in LA. I carried it on the shuttle, then thru LAX past OJs Hertz billboards, and right up to the Western Airlines counter. Was in a long box and told them what it was. Copilot came down gateway and wanted to see it. A collector himself. We chatted for while and he took it aboard and stowed in in the cockpit. Went back took my seat had two glasses of complementary Champagne (short flight to Sacramento). He handed it to me as we deplaned and shook his hand. Oops time for my nap.

 

[CapnMac]

I few several times with a knife

I was making regular flights, as in once a month, and just emptied my pockets into a dog bowl at the PreCheck, and my teeny-tiny Victorinox Gentleman's companion was never remarked upon (not supposed to be, either, per the last TSA policy change). At least until my last trip in October. Then, a TSA confiscated it. Had all of $5 in it, and had ordered another off eBay before getting on the plane.

using a piece of sturdy string.

Dental floss works, too. The wider zip ties might need two "cuts." Dental floss will neatly cut Sched 40 PVC.

How to open a zip tie without a knife or cutters

Stop in one of the airport bars and ask nicely for a cocktail straw. These will mash down flat and fit under the tab on a zip tie. And, if destroyed, are of little loss.

 

[Pat Riot]

Stop in one of the airport bars and ask nicely for a cocktail straw. These will mash down flat and fit under the tab on a zip tie. And, if destroyed, are of little loss.

That’s a great idea. Thanks.

 

[drobs]

Flew to Florida this last January. Brought a pair of pistols in a Pelican Vault in my checked luggage. No zip ties were added to my luggage.

 

[Archie]

Worked as a Customs Inspector/Officer. Sort of the 'other side of the block' from TSA. TSA checked people departing for 'belligerent' stuff and I (Customs) checked international inbound passengers for items being 'imported' (brought into) the United States illegally.

I came to the following observations:
TSA employees range from the fairly bright to just over room temperature types. TSA get precious little training. There is no academy, there is no curriculum (at least when retired).
The bright ones would apply for Customs. Some were hired and they were pretty decent workers (and thankful to escape from TSA.)

One Higgins story. To be fair, the TSA employee was born, reared and educated in the Peoples Democratic Socialist Republic of California.
I (as Customs) was notified of a passenger intending to leave the U. S. by commercial
aircraft with a handgun he - the passenger - had recently purchased. (Customs had the authority over firearms inbound to and outbound from the U. S.) I checked in with the ticket counter and was quickly introduced to the passenger who was (for the situation) patiently waiting for me with two police officers. The arm in question was a non-firing replica of a single shot, muzzle loading pistol from the 18th Century, perhaps early 19th Century. The passenger was promptly released to leave WITH his souvenir. One of the cops told me quietly "I thought that was odd. But it's your problem." I told him I was glad I didn't have any liquid in my mouth.

Great example of 'great diligence, poor knowledge'.

 

[jonnyc]

Quick TSA story...A cartridge collecting friend was on his way to the same show as me. He was a retired FBI weapons trainer and a big-wig at SIG, and allowed to carry on planes. Showing his credentials, he walked around the detectors but threw his keys, wallet, etc. into the basket. He was stopped and the little metal file on his nail clipper was broken off before he was allowed to proceed.

For years I have had a seat belt cutter attached to a flashlight in my carry-on, after losing a couple of pocket knives. It often gets noticed and questioned, but supervisors always let it through. Prior to that, I used to go to one of the after-TSA shops and get a roll of packing tape that came with an attached cutter. Not sure how well it would have worked on a jammed belt, but at least I felt better.

 

[Golfanaticshooter]

In these pages at least it would seem the people tasked with keeping us safe in the skies aren’t very well thought of, but then neither are those tasked with enforcing the laws of our nation.Perhaps it’s a human trait to resist those in authority.
JMO.

With regard to the TSA..... My Mom taught me if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Which airline did you fly? Delta and United never zip tied any of my bags when I transported a firearm in my checked bags

 

[Elkins45]

Which airline did you fly? Delta and United never zip tied any of my bags when I transported a firearm in my checked bags

It was Delta.

 

[Speedo66]

I usually carry a Swiss-Tech Utili-key on my keychain.

About the size of a key, it has a small sharp serrated blade, a bottle opener, and an eyeglass screwdriver on it.

Very handy, the serrations on the blade look like the serrations on a key. I’m at about 75% in getting it through, they’re only a few dollars, so no great loss if it doesn’t.

I was in Portugal when 9/11 occurred, and flew back to NY a few days later. At the Lisbon airport check in counter, they had large tables set up where you were asked to remove every item from your luggage. Nothing sharp or pointed was permitted through, even in your checked baggage. Sewing scissors, nail clippers, any form of knife, etc, was removed and stuck in a huge block of styrofoam for display.

They also confiscated anything with alcohol, including very expensive vintage Port, Medeira, etc., “It could be used as a fire accelerant “. Between some high end cutlery and fantastic Port, those officers made out like bandits!

People were furious! What made it even worse was once you were inside, you were permitted to buy the same bottles in the Duty Free shops. lol

Kennedy Airport was a ghost town, virtually no travelers there, but every LE agency normally there including Customs, Immigration, the FBI, the airport Port Authority Police, NYPD, etc. had a large number of members walking around in combat gear with sub machine guns. I’d seen this before at foreign airports, but never in the US at the time.

Very strange, and a little disconcerting. The normal lines at immigration and customs weren’t there, you just walked straight up to the windows, no waiting. Also very strange.

I had NYS LE credentials on me and my wife and I were allowed to pass through on the way out without customs inspection, as was the usual courtesy. That is no longer the case at Kennedy.

We took a shared airport taxi back home to Westchester Co., one of the taxi passengers went to Westchester Airport, a very tiny regional airport. The county police had set up a roadblock just before the terminal.

They were also dressed and armed with combat gear, who knew there were so many MP5’s out there?

They had long poles with mirrors on them and inspected the undercarriages of all entering vehicles, and addressed the driver and passengers gruffly.

It was a very strange time to be traveling. Hopefully, we never see it again.