I’m going to be traveling on a plane to visit my mother in Houston for Christmas on the 18th, and am probably going to be taking my knitting along for the ride. However, I’m not entirely sure if I’m going to have a new project to work on, or will be finishing a project while on the plane, so I’m wondering if there are any airplane-safe scissors that I might be able to take with me without starting a huge debate at security.
Anyone know?
look under the rules for the airline you are flying. to be safe, use a rounded nose scissor (like a child’s scissor).
I also use a clover attached a necklace or stretchy bracelet.
the rules just changed and they are allowing small scissors with points but I’d check first. better safe than sorry!
This is what I carry with me: http://www.knitpicks.com/tools/tools_display.aspx?itemid=80121
Works great and no questions asked.
i don’t think the rules officially changed. i think it was just on the list of things they wanted to change so check with the airline to be sure!
Thanks for the replies! I’m going to TRY and order that necklace yarn cutter that lisak has(that’s actually really lovely!), but will go out and get child scissors just in case it doesn’t come in on time.
[color=indigo]Hi–
Below are the ‘old rules’ mentioning blunt tipped scissors are ok and circular cutters are not (for carry on). I also quoted the ‘newest’ rules which say that after 12/22, small scissors are ok. So, who knows. Depends on which screened you get anyway. From:[/color] http://www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp
Transporting Knitting Needles & Needlepoint
Knitting needles are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage. However, there is a possibility that the needles can be perceived as a possible weapon by the TSA screener. TSA Screeners have the authority to determine if an item could be used as a weapon and may not allow said item to pass through security. TSA recommends the following when bring knitting needles on an airplane:
Circular knitting needles are recommended to be less than 31 inches in total length
We recommend that the needles be made of bamboo or plastic (Not Metal)
Scissors must have blunt points
In case the screener does not allow your knitting tools through security it is recommended that you carry a self addressed envelope so that you can mail your tools back to yourself as opposed to surrendering them at the security check point.
As a precautionary measure it is recommended that you carry a crochet hook with yarn to save the work you have already done in case your knitting tools are surrendered at the checkpoint.
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.
[color=indigo]and:[/color]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 2, 2005
TSA Press Office: (571) 227-2829
WASHINGTON, D.C. – [color=green]Beginning December 22, airline travelers can expect to see [/color]more random screenings, [color=green]fewer prohibited items [/color]and a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workforce more dedicated to detecting and defeating more serious threats, such as explosives. These changes are part of an update to security procedures announced today by Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley, to address the ever-evolving threat to commercial aviation.
The specific changes include more additional screenings of passengers and their bags using a variety of methods selected at random. [color=green]Passengers will also once again be able to carry small tools and scissors on-board aircraft.[/color]
[color=green]Beginning December 22, scissors with a cutting edge of four inches or less and tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers smaller than seven inches will be permitted on board. Scissors longer than four inches and tools such as crowbars, drills, hammers, and saws will continue to be prohibited from carry-on bags. [/color]
And I heard on the radio last week that the flight attendants’ union issued a statement opposing the proposed Dec 22 relaxation of the rules to allow pointy ends and had gone to at least two members of Congress to try to get a bill in to reverse the decision. So I would be extra sure to check the TSA website before you travel.
On my blunt scissors I have had TSA go through my bag to find them – after going through Xray – and wanting to see them for real to make sure the points were blunt. That’s happened once out of maybe six or eight times through security.
Good luck and have fun.
you can get the yarn cutter at hobby lobby, michaels, and joann’s stores so if you have local stores definitely check them out! Hobby lobby has stuff like that 50% off this week and of course Joann’s always has coupons.
I bought a yarn cutter through E-Bay, since I don’t know when the next time I’ll be able to go out(no car 
), and hopefully it’ll be alright. I’m gonna check TSA and talk to my aunt(who is a TSA supervisor) and make sure it’ll be alright for my needles, because I only own metal ones…
Ulg…stresses of a flying knitter.
But if they’re allowing small scissors, I don’t see why they wouldn’t allow the yarn cutter or needles.
Last time I traveled, I took a container of dental floss in my bag, I used the little cutter thats built in, to cut my yarn, also what about toe nail clippers? Just an ideas 
I just checked TSA itself, and it says knitting and crochet needles are allowed, and didn’t specify that only metal ones are prohibited. so I’m going to think it’s safe to assume that my metal needles will be allowed. I’ll just keep my smaller ones in my check-in, as they look more lethal then my bigger ones.
As for the cutter, would it be concidered a safety razor, concidering that it’s technically not conceiled? It’s a razor, yes, but there’s no way that it can be used as a weapon since it has those safety guards…
[color=indigo]This is the page where it says they recommend plastic or bamboo needles instead of metal (note they say recommend - what does this actually mean?):[/color]
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1252.xml
[color=indigo]I see on the main list it doesn’t mention kinds of needles:[/color]
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_9_6_2005.pdf
[color=indigo]I thought that the circular cutters were ok too, but someone once pointed out where they are specifically prohibited on that top link:[/color]
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
Recommend doesn’t exactly that metal ones are prohibited…I dunno, everything seems so contradictory >.<
I guess the best thing I can do is just take them with me, ask if they’re alright, and if not, shove them in my check in.
Have I mentioned I hate airline travel?
I reeeeeally hate flying…
when i bought some stuff from knitpicks i added a yarn cutter on the order, i took it on the cruise and bus and well it is easy I can wear it like a pin, hook it inside a purse pocket etc, i prefer it to scissors now in my bag.
I just flew to Hawaii this past Monday, and as of yet, the rules for the scissors has not changed. I carried nail clippers in case I needed them. Also, I carried addi turbos on the plane w/no problem or questions asked. I did have the foresight to take out the straight wooden knitting needles before we left, because they probably would have caused problems…especially the size 17s!!!
pat.
The Clover {or similar} thread cutters are specifically referred to as a non-acceptable item in carry-on baggage. I’ve seen this thread pop up many, many times on a variety of forums. It’s always bugged me how places have advertised them as airline-safe, when they’ve always been disallowed.
The best advice I have seen is to print out a copy of the most recent regulations and recommendations, and keep it with you at all times while travelling. Also, contact the customer service department of the airline you are flying with, and see if you can get something in writing from them {even an email you can print} stating whether or not the items you wish to bring on board with you are allowed or not.
As a side note, my favourite portable thread cutter is a cheap pair of baby nail clippers. They will cut pretty much any thread or yarn, and come in handy when you have hangnails catching on your work as well! 
Guess I better be careful next time I fly with my cutter then! I carried it on over the holiday and they didn’t say a word. I had no idea I wasn’t supposed to have it!
I don’t really see how it could be dangerous - you can’t even get your pinky in there! Maybe if I chucked it at some one really hard…
Ulg…just to be safe, I’m going to ask the boyfriend if I can snag myself some bamboo needles…and I have nail clippers, so I’ll make sure to carry those with me as well…
I know I didn’t buy it for nothing, but now I feel like I rushed into buying the yarn cutter for no reason. :? :wall:
At least once I have it, I can give my boyfriend’s mom her fabric scissors back, though.
As much as I know the airlines do it for their and your safety, some things are just a little rediculous…it makes my brain hurt. Oi.
And here I was looking forward to knitting, worry free, while I’m scared to death in the air. hates flying…reeeeeally hates it.