Right from mouth of TSA. http://www.tsa.gov/who_we_are/workforce/workforce_stories/catch_100110.shtm The Things Passengers Bring Workforce Stories When is a pen not just a pen? The answer is when it doubles as a potential weapon. A TSO at Palm Beach International (Fla.) was working the X-ray machine when he came across an anomaly on the screen and called for a search of a passenger’s backpack. Inside, the responding Officer discovered a tactical pen, used commonly by law enforcement as a defense tool with its sharp aluminum-based point on one end and blunt portion on the other. A Supervisory TSO confirmed that item was a prohibited item. The police responded and issued the passenger a criminal summons to appear in court – under the state statute – for carrying a concealed weapon. He was cleared for travel and there were no flight delays.
You should be fine if you have something like the cc embassy pen or the ss sharpie. But recently I saw an article that showed pictures of prohibited items and it included tools and sissors. Reading the TSA site it says under 7in is ok, is that not really the case?
The official TSA policy allows for tools and scissors, but many TSA screeners are unfamiliar with the official TSA policy. They often respond based on what they could conceive of as being "dangerous". I have had tiny folding sewing scissors identified via x-ray and confiscated.
I'm dying to know how TSA agents react to the SureFire II pens. I think it's the least threatening in appearance but the tip is made of aluminum. It's not crenulated or sharp or dangerous, but it's metal. Ugh, Terrorists Win, I seriously hate to fly now. Thanks for the heads up. I've got a trip planned soon and surprises are not something I need while traveling.
Yes it makes sense because a regular pen cannot be used to stab anyone. These tools are lucky that they are not in the private sector. Nobody will hire such idiots.
It gets worse. Full-body scanners are now being installed in the NYC airports, and around the country. Just like any exposure to x-rays, they will damage DNA and cause cancer. And although the TSA said it would not save pictures of our naked bodies, it has been reported that they are indeed putting all this into a database. Alex Jones reported that, and also that TSA employees were caught ogling at the scans of passengers' naked bodies. And with all of that, are we REALLY any safer? Just more good reasons not to fly. .......................................................................................... TSA BULLETIN # 2504-L2601 Dangerous body parts It has come to our attention that certain body parts, being semi-hard, can be used as terrorist weapons. Henceforth, all passengers will be required to have all fingers, toes, and other protuberances amputated prior to flight. They will be returned to you after the plane lands. Have a Safe and Happy Trip. ........................................................................................................
This is so ridiculous . . . Just carry a metal pen that isn't marketed as a tactical pen. Problem solved! And the small-minded morons pretending to take security seriously will be happy. A year ago, I flew with a metal pen that makes a nice self-defense tool in the closed position. In the open position, it actually turns into one helluva improvised ice-pick. I put it in the tray, and picked it up on the other side. Had a Screener questioned me about it, I would have replied that it's just a pen. If he had used the word "tactical," I would have looked at him like he was insane. After all, it's just a pen. It was more of an experiment than anything else. Proved what I already suspected. TSA security is just as big of a joke in America as other types of security. As a former security guard who understands the business, I wasn't surprised one bit.
If we were really serious about security we'd copy what El-Al Airlines (Israel) has done over many years. As a result they are rather secure.
This week i have traveled with my county comm stainless embassy pen, my zebra f-701 and a stainless steel sharpie. I had no problems. I'm flying out again monday and don't expect any problems with my choice of pens. They don't want you bringing something that is designed as a weapon on an airplane. I have no problem with this decision.
I stopped flying on my honeymoon. (She made me go in the first place.) We now have an understanding that I will always drive her wherever and will always pay for the best Hotel. She flies all the time for business but I just can't bring myself to do it anymore. I'm not afraid of terrorists, I'm afraid of what ignorant/uneducated TSA workers and of over paid politicians "thinking" that they are better equipped to protect my family than I am.
You do realize that the C.C. pen is nothing more than a metal kubaton with a clip that you can write with. As far as the 701 and the SS Sharpie, why would you encounter problems with those? They've never been marketed or sold as tactical pens.
:iagree: the reason the TSA still gets by with their quota system of security, is all of the folks who put up with it...If the public would boycott air travel, except when absolutely necessary the El Al system might come into play
county comm never marketed the embassy pen as anything but a pen. Just because you can use it as a kubaton doesn't mean that's what it's intended purpose was. Tactical pens are marketed with things like DNA catchers, points designed for stabbing they are marketed as weapons. a simple stainless steel pen is not a problem is my point.
Not fully true. There are two different Scanners being installed: one type was x-ray, the other uses Millimeter wave Radio Frequency. The one that is winning out is the RF model, due to the reasons you just expressed. As for being able to "see" the naughty bits, meh, trust me when I say you really don't see much of anything. You can make out the "family jewels" to some degree on men, but that's really about it. More info on da link. Enjoy;D
