Self defense options for carry on flying in the USA
- Thread starter joneb
- Start date
- Status
rabid wombat
Member
A cane, a BIC pen, a credit card (use the knife edge), a belt and buckle, a belt extender (provided by the airline), a water bottle, an unopened soda can,…
Anything is a weapon with a little imagination and a lot of motivation….
Anything is a weapon with a little imagination and a lot of motivation….
rabid wombat
Member
a beverage cart… used by the BEST!
Kingcreek
Member
You are the weapon.
In CA they call that a "monkey fist" and they're illegal. Pretty sure other states have similar laws.
Never put the battery in the sock, unless your life depends on it.
I always carry a 6" super bright flashlight, a suitable full size pen Ti pen, a slick large format magazine, a water bottle to fill at the airport after TSA. I often carry an Unbreakable Umbrella as a cane. There are other useful items aboard the plane.
Suitable pen and automatic pencil, flashlight. Note - not a fierce looking crown on the flashlight as they have been confiscated. Sturdy belt.
For the pencil - it is a very robust, heavy barreled one that used to be standard issue to clerks at the NY Stock Exchange when I worked there 60 years ago.
For the pencil - it is a very robust, heavy barreled one that used to be standard issue to clerks at the NY Stock Exchange when I worked there 60 years ago.
herrwalther
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2013
- Messages
- 8,127
Keep an eye open in the secure area of airports. Often times there are lots of souvenirs that would make great blunt weapons. And they are already considered "safe" items for boarding.
Nasty Canasta
Member
Last time I flew I was just about finished recouping from hip replacement & carried a cane & left my sidearm at home as I just didn’t want the hassle. You can go anywhere with one, airplanes, government buildings, whitehouse tour, you name it & nobody gave it a second look. I have a bit of training using one & they can inflict some serious damage very quickly.
Atavar
Member
True, at my smaller home airport it wouldn't be an issue, but I've spent enough times standing in lines in Seattle, NY, and other larger airports just to get to TSA that some if not a lot of that ice will melt. Also, freezing water in a bottle isn't an option on return trips coming out of a hotel or an office. Filling inside the secure area avoids any discussion at TSA.
It falls into a "gray area" if the water has partially melted. It's better to avoid having to have that discussion with TSA and just filling it once you've passed through...most airports have installed bottle fillers next to their water fountains.
The large format magazine is something I've added to my travel carry. It never draws outside interest and is very versatile for both defensive or offensive use
Speedo66
Member
I’ve not been allowed to bring a filled water bottle past the TSA checkpoint.
I just flew this past weekend, forgot I had a small flashlight in my coat pocket. I showed them it worked, but they still made it go back and through the x-ray machine.
I just flew this past weekend, forgot I had a small flashlight in my coat pocket. I showed them it worked, but they still made it go back and through the x-ray machine.
Story - In November after 9/11 I had to fly. I carried my NYSE automatic pencil. The security woman - whatever they were called in those days, took it apart. It had a two inch stiff wire that you unscrewed, put in the lead and then screwed in the wire. She started to wave it, saying: Whaz Dat? Whaz Dat? I said it held the lead. Finally a National Guard captain wearing full armor and an M-16 came over and said it holds the lead, for God's sake and the attack pencil made it on board.
Another flight - I took (people carried books in those days), Gary Kleck's Point Blank book to read. The security woman said: OMG, he will kill us all! I said, it's a book about gun control - she said - alright then. And the assault book made it on the plane.
Went to Louisville for business. Had free moment and bought a miniature Louisville Slugger bat as a souvenir. There was a big sign in the store: YOU CANOT TAKE THIS ON THE PLANE, YOU HAVE TO CHECK IT!
Got to the airport and check my bag - I fly with enough stuff to have to check (business clothes, etc.), by the metal detectors there is a big barrel full of the souvenir bats. Haha.
Another flight - I took (people carried books in those days), Gary Kleck's Point Blank book to read. The security woman said: OMG, he will kill us all! I said, it's a book about gun control - she said - alright then. And the assault book made it on the plane.
Went to Louisville for business. Had free moment and bought a miniature Louisville Slugger bat as a souvenir. There was a big sign in the store: YOU CANOT TAKE THIS ON THE PLANE, YOU HAVE TO CHECK IT!
Got to the airport and check my bag - I fly with enough stuff to have to check (business clothes, etc.), by the metal detectors there is a big barrel full of the souvenir bats. Haha.
Huevos
Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2003
- Messages
- 54
We had a discussion about the terrorists with box cutters on the 911 flights during a Kenpo seminar. It was mentioned that the airplane seats that could also be used as flotation devices (I haven't heard mention of these during the safety talk in my last few flights, so I don't know if that still exists) can also be used as shields. Say, against a few guys with box cutters. Just a thought...
Kingcreek
Member
My daughter taught 5 years in Chicago public schools 20 years ago. When they put in metal detectors and security screening, padlocks became the weapon of choice. Either used with shoe strings and swung like bolos or used like brass knuckles with a finger thru the hoop and the lock body in a fist.
rabid wombat
Member
Bcwitt
Member
Pull a magazine or newspaper from Seat back & roll it tightly. Will extend your reach about a foot or so.
Atavar
Member
ROFL, I guess if a .22 is not enough stopping power a rolled up magazine will do the trick.
I hope you’re training with that magazine.
I hope you’re training with that magazine.
.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,355
It always gets me yelled at, but my opinion is that these "improvised weapons" threads usually border on - if not fall right into - self-delusion and fantasy. Or, to put it bluntly, smacking a terrorist with a cellphone or rolled-up magazine isn't going to help.
If you're really concerned about having to fight in a "sterile" area, go sign up for Krav, MMA, or some other "real world" program. If you can't or won't do that, then you're going to have to stay in at this recess: there's nothing in an airport or airplane that will allow an untrained man to prevail in a fight that he otherwise would have lost.
If you're really concerned about having to fight in a "sterile" area, go sign up for Krav, MMA, or some other "real world" program. If you can't or won't do that, then you're going to have to stay in at this recess: there's nothing in an airport or airplane that will allow an untrained man to prevail in a fight that he otherwise would have lost.
Bcwitt
Member
Laugh all you want. The first time you get hit in the face end on, you will see what I mean. Besides, that 22 will never get on a plane. And yes, I do train w it.
Bcwitt
Member
Roll up a magazine tightly & deliver a punch(end first). Lots of Martial artists have demonstrated how effective it can be. Far better then a smart phone. If there is something more effective you can have on a plane, I'd love to know.
- Status
