EDC Carry-on Questions

[dowtech]

I'll be flying to Florida in early July. What experience have you had lately with EDC airline carry-on? Not talking about knives and other obvious no-nos here.

Some specifics:

I EDC a Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Kit. It will be in my Falcon II going through security. I'm wondering about the (tiny) scalpel, and, possibly, the sewing needle.

I also EDC (in the F-II) an Adventure Medical Kit .7 Ultralight Water-Tight FAK. What about the antibiotic ointment? I'd hate to have to break into the kit to put it in my 1-quart ziplock bag!!

How about my SureFire E2D -- is that likely to raise any eyebrows?

I think everything else is pretty benign, but in these times, who can tell? Looking for experiences/insights here??

Thanks,

Dick

[parnass]

The TSA took my wife's Leatherman Micra scissors multitool last November.

[greenLED]

I EDC a Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Kit. It will be in my Falcon II going through security. I'm wondering about the (tiny) scalpel, and, possibly, the sewing needle.

I also EDC (in the F-II) an Adventure Medical Kit .7 Ultralight Water-Tight FAK. What about the antibiotic ointment? I'd hate to have to break into the kit to put it in my 1-quart ziplock bag!!

How about my SureFire E2D -- is that likely to raise any eyebrows?

My recent experience was that different airports seemed to look differently at things. At one point, I got stopped for a used tube of Blistex that had fallen to the bottom of my pack, but it had gone unnoticed in previous checkpoints. *Everything* gel or liquid needs to go in a zip-lok bag, that's for sure! :green:

I had a bunch of lights with me, and none of them drew any attention, and there are several reports on CPF of people carrying e2d's on board.

I wouldn't take anything with a cutting edge; I imagine a sewing needle would be a problem, but see my above comment.

[ironraven]

Pull the scalpel, the needle and the fishing gear. I know, I know, the OK list mentions fishing gear as being ok for the aircraft cabin but I'm not convinced that the guys at the checkpoints know that.

Put the ointment in the ziplock with your other gels.

Get yourself a less expensive light.

Remember, these clowns can confiscate anything, and I mean ANYTHING, that feel might pose a danger to inflight safety. Last couple of holiday seasons, iPods have been seized as a being "dangerous items". Imagine the powers of a Mississippi chain gang gaurd, circa 1900- TSA makes it's own rules and the only appeal is to get the one (1) supervisor for the entire airport to come over which means that you'll either (a) miss your flight, (b) get strip searched and questioned for being a suspicious person, or (c) all of the above.

[dowtech]

Thanks, all -- any further suggestions/experiences also welcome.

Sigh. It's ironic that traveling is a time when EDC gear is likely to be essential, yet we're stripped to the point of it not being worth the bother! A portent of the future? :shocked:

[bruner]

Dick,

If you know where you are going, I would highly recommend just mailing that stuff to yourself and avoid the potential for any hassle.

We just took our vacation to FL from PA a few months ago. I always carry at least a knife and would feel naked without one. The plan that I carried out was to fly down there "naked", then go to Walmart asap upon arrival and pick up a knife that I had been wanting for a few months.

Gave me something else to look forward to when we got there... Just before flying back, I mailed it to myself back in PA.

Dan

[dowtech]

Just going for a couple of days, Dan -- daughter's new house, grandson's second b'day -- so mailing stuff down wouldn't be feasible. I do like your idea of buying something there and mailing it back -- like that Sig P239 SAS I'm hankering for? I know a lot of good shops there! :evilgrin:

[bruner]

Cool,

If you know of some cool shops, then I'd travel "naked" (so to speak), head those shops upon arrival and pick up some new duds.

Enjoy your vacation!

Dan

[dowtech]

Thanks, Dan. The one thing that gripes me about shopping in FL (or most other places for that matter) is the sales tax -- after all, I live in tax free, live free or die New Hampshire! Oh well, it IS a vacation.

[Vic303]

Having just flown recently (mid May) I can tell you that the quality of security is hit or miss. Do NOT put your flashlight right next to your Multitool in your checked baggage...not that there is a problem with them being in checked luggage, but it looks wierd to the screeners and they will handsearch your bag...Keep them separate by a couple inches and you should be fine. No problems on an EDC flashlight on your person (not for me with an L1P anyway). Take off your Wilderness Belt BEFORE you go thru the metal detector... Get rid of the scalpel, needle and fishing gear from your carryon luggage, and put it in checked baggage. A can of Fox OC went thru checked baggage with out any problems.

All in all, it was less 'painful' than I expected. BTW the handsearched bag was specifically searched due to the Leatherman and flashlight being together as those were the ONLY two items removed and examined by security.

[outlaw918692000]

Easy solution don't fly. I will drive instead ( I will not give anyone everything I own and let them have the wheel) Every flight out of my area has about a 13 hour layover in Dallas or Huston anyway. I can drive there and spend about the same or less in gas and if it is too far then I just don't go. I think we have become a society hooked on fast results (fast food, fast divorce, fast shipping, fast travel) Some times you just have to slow down and enjoy the view.

[jggonzalez]

I carry the Inova X5MT with me and have never had problems. It has a clean appearance, especially in a natural finish, and doesn't scream "tactical" like some of the other lights. I've even gotten it through checkpoints in California.

[Craig720]

I flew to Las Vegas. I had no problems coming or going. Biggest problem is, I'm scared of -- flying itself. I took valium. It helped. I took a few quality pens with me. And notebooks. I'm TRYING to write a novel. Sometimes I get ideas at the oddest times. I also took my migraine meds. I brought my neck lanyard containing my ACR whistle, photon freedom, and ARC AAA. I am afraid of the dark. As in falling down. I have a few, forgive the phrase, lucky charms that are metallic. I also took my SureFire E2e. Would not part with that. I passed with flying colors. I took off my belt and shoes and jacket and sweater when told. No problems. My pocket and personal items went into a plastic bag and into my shoulder bag ahead of time for easy retrieval later. The TSA guys were polite, professional, and quick. They did a their job and I complied. Nice and easy. I didn't even need a second valium. I did treat myself to a beer. The worst part was coming back home. We landed during a thunderstorm. Not fun. But I will fly again. And I will take my valium with me again, too.

Craig

[boomstick]

I EDC a Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Kit. It will be in my Falcon II going through security. I'm wondering about the (tiny) scalpel, and, possibly, the sewing needle.

I also EDC (in the F-II) an Adventure Medical Kit .7 Ultralight Water-Tight FAK. What about the antibiotic ointment? I'd hate to have to break into the kit to put it in my 1-quart ziplock bag!!



I've also flown with both these kits as I edc them too, I forgot about the scalpel & needle and they didn't show up, but I don't think I'd test that again.

My brite-strike flash light, top popper and snap-sap have also flown without question, although the snap sap did cause a few confused looks at the x-ray desk ;D