As the murder weapon, unfortunately. On an airplane, too.
It’s already worrisome enough taking knitting to the airport - will security let you board with them or will they take them away? Such a shame, considering all that perfect spare time for knitting.
This comes up a lot around here. I’ll tell you my advice, and my opinion:
The TSA says that you can take them in carry-on. However, it’s up to the agent in the moment, and if the one you get just saw that episode, or just had a cousin who fell on her needles and ended up in the ER, you can be assured they will not let you take them on. They are supposed to make case by case judgments, and they are supposed to shake things up constantly, so that no one really knows what to expect is accetable or not. I know this is a pain, but it keeps us all safe. No one thought about explosive in shoes until a few years ago, and now we all take our shoes off. Not convenient? Neither is getting blown to bits on that flight you’re taking to visit your sister in Boston.
On long flights, knitting feels like a preserver of sanity, but again, do you want to feel stir crazy for 10 hours, or live to see the next day? What everyone forgets, it that it’s not just you with the needles, it’s the person with the needles with the bad intentions. I would never think of using a steak knife to cut anything other than steak. There are people who think otherwise.
There are likely some variables-- such as the type of needles. Comfort Zone makes some very bendable hylon DPNs which should be the least problematic, and 14" metal straights are probably the most problematic. Also, you’re most likely to be allowed them on a short domestic flight, and least likely on a long international flight, especially to the Middle East. But no matter what, you are taking your chances of getting them taken away. People talk about mailing them back to yourself, but in my airport, the mailboxes are only located in the hallways near the seating areas for the gates, that is, AFTER security. In other words, if they take your needles, you can consider them gone. Remember how many people want to get something important to them through security, and how much time the agents have to deal with it.
My pet peeve is when postings like this go up, you’ll always get several people saying how they got their needles through without a problem. It doesn’t matter. There may be 1000 people who get theirs through, but you get yours taken away. You might eat 100 unwashed apples without getting sick. Does that mean you won’t get sick on the 101st? Nope.
The TSA folks are trying to keep us all alive. I think we can put down our knitting for a few hours to make that happen.
Wow Sandy.
I’ve flown internationally several times in the past few years, and hope to again in a couple months. I’ve only taken my knitting needles a couple times, totally understand the need for safety measures and would put them in my checked bags if necessary.
All I was saying is, too bad they had to show needles used that way, in that situation. Makes people think even worse of needles on planes.
There was also a conversation with the Air Marshall and Ziva about how other items could be used as a weapon - pens and pencils, plastic utensils and Ziva said she once killed someone with a credit card. So unless they’re going to ban all those items, and more, I think needles are safe. It was a metal straight one and I think circs are seen as less threatening, especially if there’s knitting on them.
We have not traveled to Holland since the 9/11 so I can’t imagine how I would now survive without my knitting, however, perhaps that’s why my husband got me the Kindle. I’ve left more books behind in more airport bathrooms to stock a library.
When the agent asks to see your circulars it’s probably a good idea not to start spinning them around like nunchucks.
Ditto!!:roflhard: :roflhard:
I don’t take my knitting in my carry on anymore…It just itsn’t worth loosing them and your work. I buy big long book or several magazines. I have been flying on redeyes so I usually sleep through most of the plane ride…:mrgreen:
I just don’t take my knitting on planes anymore either. If I get the urge to knit once I reach my destination, I take advantage of the LYS’s in the area I flew to. Hubby can’t dispute the need to knit AND shop then! :woohoo: Before I leave, then I just mail it home.
I still take my knitting on planes and I haven’t had a problem, yet. Only once has the TSA official even asked “hey are those knitting needles?” after seeing my (metal circs) on the Xray. Never had anyone go through my bag afterward, knock on wood.
I would hope if they were going to confiscate my tips that I could unscrew them and keep my knitting on the cable. I guess you never know though.
Once I was traveling to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with a boyfriend. He had several visible tattoos, but one on his lower leg that was a ticking bomb with dynamite sticks, that covered his whole lower leg. He arrived at my house to go to the airport wearing shorts. I said “Um, no…” I made him wear long pants, but he still got stopped and searched. I guess he looked suspicious. Haha! :hmm:
[color="#330099"]Sandy,
Here is my opinion:
I think the trouble is that it has less to do with safety and more to do with the TSA personnel and the individual with the knitting needles. If it was all about safety then all similar objects would be banned. Instead they pick and choose who they question or prevent from taking certain items aboard. So, I say it isn’t if the person has knitting needles in the carry on but either what the person looks like or their random position in line.
I would bet that if I took a flight, anywhere, with knitting needles in my carry on I would be more likely to be stopped simply because I’m male. It would be without consideration of the needles size, material, or if they were currently supporting an unfinished project or not. The common perception is that men don’t knit so I would be suspect. They would ask to take my needles, and I couldn’t refuse.
That is the rub. The TSA has too much variability in how they exercise their powers. The citizens have no legal recourse to appeal the individuals agents decision. An individual that objects is viewed by many around them with disapproval or worse because it creates a delay or an inconvenience for them.
It is just the beginning of a slippery slope of gradual loss of freedoms bit by bit. And the easy objection is that it is for the greater good.
:shrug:
But then, I also walk while knitting and some think I’m terribly insane to do that.
Imagine if [S]they[/S] [B]WE[/B] took a different approach?
(cue music: John Lennon - Imagine)
Imagine if [B]all[/B] citizens were trained in self-defense techniques including how to disarm an assailant? You’d only need a few passengers with a bit of courage to step up and stop someone wielding a pen or knitting needle.
Wasn’t it was fellow passengers that stopped the undies bomber and the shoe bomber?
Imagine fewer acts of bullying on the playgrounds or in schools.
Imagine fewer assaults.
Imagine if no one was selfish, not wanting more than someone else.
What can we imagine if we try?
Peace be with you.
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