Does TSA allow P-38 type can openers?

[peacefuljeffrey]

I am curious about whether passengers are allowed to take P-38 type keychain can openers on commercial airline flights.

I have little to no respect for the asinine restrictions that we are now under (and probably will forever be under).
So I suspect that they probably would say, "Oooh, oooh! It has a pointy tip! Can't let you have that!" but I'm not sure.

I'd like input from anyone who has either gone through with one without a problem; gone through and had a problem/confiscation, etc.; or knows what the policy is or has discussed it with TSA personnel.

Thanks.

-Jeffrey

[meeshi_ma]

Well, an airplane IS just a big, flying tin can...

Nope, sorry, I have no personal experience with carrying these on planes.

I still like the comment made earlier (in the prybaby vs security thread) about carrying a self addressed, stamped envelope with you when you fly. Cheaper to just mail anything to yourself that they were trying to confiscate than to lose it entirely.

-Brian

[Lugsalot]

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#0

I'm not sure if you've already seen this, but I scoured it and wasn't able to find any mention of can openers of ANY kind. I'm GUESSING that if 7-inch screwdrivers, knitting needles and scissors with up to 4-inch blades are okay, nobody is going to make a fuss over a P-38 can opener. You still have to leave your baseball bats, nunchaku, throwing stars, cattle prods and stun guns in your checked luggage, though. :(

I agree, the laws are pretty stupid. That's partly the reason I haven't flown in years.

[Lunal_Tic]

Unfortunately, regardless of the lists that the TSA provides it all comes down to TSA personnel's discretion and sometimes there can be no rhyme or reason to that.

If you travel by air I would recommend always carrying an addressed padded envelope with postage in case you need to send something back that they don't like. That's of course assuming that they give you that option rather than confiscating it outright.

It still bothers me that many of the confiscated items are then sold on eBay and the like.

-LT

[Lugsalot]

It still bothers me that many of the confiscated items are then sold on eBay and the like.

-LT


Those rotten SOB's!

Hey, peacefuljeffrey, if I may be so bold...why would you be carrying a can opener onto a plane? Are you just in the habit of EDC-ing one in general? Or is it that you'd rather eat dog food than the stuff they serve in-flight? ;D

[wcy]

I have carried a p-38 in my wallet for over a decade on many flights without a single incident. My wallet always goes through the x-ray as well, so it isn't being "snuck past." I started carrying it in my wallet because there were security people at local gov't buildings who would not allow it on the keychain. They considered it a weapon. "You could slit someone's throat with it" was one security person's concern. :idiot2:
I don't believe it is an item that is truly feared, so much as in item that elicits a response from the weeny-brained self-important.
YMMV
Other items in the wallet are the victorinox nailfile, quattro screwdriver, spare keys, and a paperclip.
My mini prybaby has passed thru airline security as well.

[tvodrd]

wcy, that's funny about "government buildings!" I was busted for mine at the Santa Ana courthouse a couple weeks ago! I was required to drop it into a huge tyvek envelope which they double-sealed, and then had to fill out a triplicate form, me getting a copy. I wasn't empaneled (jury duty) and when I went to security to get it back, I was physically escorted out with my still-sealed envelope. :laugh:

I have always removed it and the Gerber 200 I also keep on my keyring when flying. Speaking of which, I have to fly to Chicago on 9/11. :nervous:

Larry

[Dill]

I do not fly well! It is not the flying, I have flown all over the world. It is all the lame (Ok stop here before I insult some low life or jack *** & their kids).

Last March My Dear Wife Dragged me, Kicking and screaming all the way, on a cross country ( USA ) flight!

I had my EDC key-chain on me and it went threw without a hitch.

Small screw drivers and a 4" Crescent Wrench. P38 and my Tech key.

If you do not make a point of asking about it and do not flash it around! They do not care! The Don't ask, Don't tell, rule applies a lot here!

Now My M16A4 with grenade launcher was stopped and I had to UPS it from the airport to where I was going.

I did loose a lighter they found! But My EDC on my key-chain was not looked at twice!

2 Razor blades and matches in my wallet were not bothered!


Don

[peacefuljeffrey]

Those rotten SOB's!

Hey, peacefuljeffrey, if I may be so bold...why would you be carrying a can opener onto a plane? Are you just in the habit of EDC-ing one in general? Or is it that you'd rather eat dog food than the stuff they serve in-flight?* ;D


Apart from the fact that I just generally carry it on my keychain (it's unobtrusive and can be very useful), I also like carrying as much "gear" as possible on a flight just out of general rebelliousness at the inane, stupid, intrusive, and offensive rules they now have put us under.


-Jeffrey

[tvodrd]

Apart from the fact that I just generally carry it on my keychain (it's unobtrusive and can be very useful), I also like carrying as much "gear" as possible on a flight just out of general rebelliousness at the inane, stupid, intrusive, and offensive rules they now have put us under.


-Jeffrey


I agree with Jeffrey and have had one on my keyring since 1969 after returning from 'Nam. (I carried it on my dogtag chain there.) They will work on most slotted and phillips, and served me well until the Leatherman Micra hit the scene. I might add there were 4 of them in every case of C-rats and I brought a bunch back. I'm down to my last couple of the original "Nam" ones. All the plating is worn off the one in my pocket and I've only managed to break one over all those years!

OTOH, I choose not to mess with with TSA! I was challenged once for my EDC light when the "tupperware" was common for Security. She passed it to a guy who managed to turn it on as far as low beam, and said "cool!" Now they tell you on the PA to put your keys and stuff into your carry-on prior to passing through.

Like I said, I have a reservation for Monday (9/11) from John Wayne to Chicago. I'm more worried about the rumored TSA guys with Latex-free gloves in the rumored back rooms! ;D

Larry

[Lugsalot]

Apart from the fact that I just generally carry it on my keychain (it's unobtrusive and can be very useful), I also like carrying as much "gear" as possible on a flight just out of general rebelliousness at the inane, stupid, intrusive, and offensive rules they now have put us under.


-Jeffrey


Well, it don't hurt the airline's owners or the lawmakers any if you make some poor sucker wade through all your gear!* :P
But I agree with you, in a way--it is rather satisfying making them really WORK for it. Especially the ones who act like God.* >:(

I'm reminded of the return flight from Idaho, where I spent a summer when I was seventeen--I don't remember it fondly.
I was systematically divested of all my non-tool EDC by a pack of scowling wage-slaves (my knives and pliers were in my checked baggage). This included my belt, and I was forced to hold up my pants, which was rather embarassing. Then this gargantuan brunhilde with an attitude problem frisked me as if I were a common thug.
The truly sad part? That was the most action I saw during the whole miserable trip. Seriously, the very MOMENT summer rolled around, every woman between the ages of 16 and 40 literally VANISHED from the town I stayed in. At least the fishing was good.* >:D

Wow...okay, I'm done ranting now. But seriously, I think this was the beginning of my hatred for travel by air--the rest of this most-recent "screening" malarky is just icing on the cake.

Next time, take the train!

[bigkahuna]

I've carried a p-38 in my wallet for years with no hassles anywhere, (Europe, USA, Mexico). I did have my bullet shaped cigar cutter confiscated in Kennedy Airport. >:(

[grimm_kaosboy]

They are supposed to be allowed, as in no, they aren't restricted. I have flown with them 6 times without a problem. But as others have mentioned, it is up to the "discrestion" of the individual screeners. I have HEARD of them being confiscated so if yours has sentimental value I would either remove it and replace it with a new, non emotionally attached one, or have that self adressed envelope handy. Just my 2¢

-Bill Liptak