Flying and Lockpicks - Updated rules?

[Dent]

Flying in the US:

I've flown about 9 times with picks and just recently had a problem on the return flight home, and was wondering what was the common practice with picks...

All the other security guards have said it was no problem because they werent a restricted item, but on my last fleight, a security checker in Las Vegas said that I might "Pick open the lock to the cockpit" and that I'd have to ship them back to myself since my bags were checked(this is 1 week after having a talk with other airport staff assuring me it was fine).

First off, can't we afford some medaco's or something on the cockpit door? and isnt there suppose to be a gun-carrying air marshell on most flights?

Not to mention it would take more than a couple seconds to pick most likely, or that if I wasnt allowed nail clippers or little tiny scissors what am I suppose to do after successfully picking the cockpit door?


Just wondering what others thoughts are on this as well as any other experiances with lockpicking and flights.

[SFGOON]

What a retarded security geek. Just go through a different line, the next underpaid slob will likely let you through.

[zeke79]

What a retarded security geek. Just go through a different line, the next underpaid slob will likely let you through.

Good post 9/11 advice....... Those underpaid "slobs" as you call them ARE part of keeping this country safe. I say good call by that security guard...

[SFGOON]

You started it zeke...

Those employees have a set, written list of things to allow and not to allow. Because they are generally private contractors and not comissioned by the executive branch of the government, the elasticity clause (I think article 5 of the united states code,) does not apply to them. They follow and enforce rules, not interprit or make them. As of this time, lockpicks are not on the "no" list, so by any measure, that individual had no right to have them sent by mail. It was some jerk in a white shirt with a phony badge on a power trip, and they could get in a lot of trouble for that.

I've carried my full kit in my briefcase while travelling on my civilian ID plenty of times.

[vector40]

No, very few flights have a Federal Air Marshal.

[zeke79]

You started it zeke...

Those employees have a set, written list of things to allow and not to allow. Because they are generally private contractors and not comissioned by the executive branch of the government, the elasticity clause (I think article 5 of the united states code,) does not apply to them. They follow and enforce rules, not interprit or make them. As of this time, lockpicks are not on the "no" list, so by any measure, that individual had no right to have them sent by mail. It was some jerk in a white shirt with a phony badge on a power trip, and they could get in a lot of trouble for that.

I've carried my full kit in my briefcase while travelling on my civilian ID plenty of times.

No offense taken SFGOON . I usually get schooled once per day. I thought today was something unusual. Guess not . Thanks for clearing that up for us.

Next time I fly, my pics are coming with me .

[Dent]

Another point I thought I should mention because the security guy was mentioned:

I announced what they were, he looked unsure, I said they were fine accourding to rules and previous airports said they were fine to fly with, and he went to his manager, and that is when he came back saying they were a security risk and that I'd have to have them shipped, when I protested, he gave me a "I already talked to the manager I cant do anything" looks and I thought it would be better to just ship them than get into an arguement with security at an airport.(god knows what could happen to me under the patriot act, )

So I thought I should point out that it was a powerhunry / bad manager that doesnt know the rules, not some powerhungry security grunt.

[digital_blue]

Oh come on! Don't you guys see what went on here? The "underpaid security grunts" wanted to play with the cool toyz!

db

[wtf|pickproof?]

Some friends of mine flew home from hollidays two days after the 9/11 attack. The guards on the Madrid airport confiscated small scissors but let them keep a HAMMER and a bunch of 200 mm NAILS which they carried to secure they tents.

So much for "protecting homeland security"

[Chrispy]

Airport security in Australia is undertaken by Australian Protective Services (APS), which is an offshoot of the Australian Federal Police. No private security for us.

[jason]

I went to Finland a few years back to Enontikio (sorry for mis-spelling it Skold) airport - which is little more than a shed in the middle of a lot of snow to "seek Santa" with the kids - my 3 year old was given a wrapped parcel from Santa which "Security" confiscated because "it was a prohibited item" - cue for both of my kids to start crying because the youngest one's present was taken away from him which set off my daughter - needless to say the flight home was great fun.

In the end the present was put in the hold and I had to go to customs at Heathrow to collect it.

We unwrapped the present in the presence of customs and it contained a carpentry set labelled as suitable for 3 - 5 years and the customs were concerned about the "axe" which was about 6 - 8" long and made of a hollow bendy plastic - lethal huh!?!

And they missed the lockpicks which I forgot to take out of my jacket

I wouldn't mind but Santa didn't even give me any of the tools on my list!!

[raimundo]

airport security is just comic opera to convince the public that something real is being done. It could be better if Carmen sang an aria. Many people with badges are unclear on the law but use their pseudoauthority to make it up according to their personal prejudices. Airport security personel are the types who couldn't qualify for the other badges that they really wanted. Its a comic opera of ego tripping morons. Millions have been harrassed, in a campaign by an incompetent government to scam the public into believeing that security really exists, while a lot of the money is just stolen, or spent to send tom ridge to a vacation in hawaii.

[jason]

Nice to know it's not just our Government that's up to that stuff

[SFGOON]

For once Rai and I agree

[Pickermeapie]

airport security is just comic opera to convince the public that something real is being done. It could be better if Carmen sang an aria. Many people with badges are unclear on the law but use their pseudoauthority to make it up according to their personal prejudices. Airport security personel are the types who couldn't qualify for the other badges that they really wanted. Its a comic opera of ego tripping morons. Millions have been harrassed, in a campaign by an incompetent government to scam the public into believeing that security really exists, while a lot of the money is just stolen, or spent to send tom ridge to a vacation in hawaii.

Believe you me, I agree with everything being said here. But of what I am speaking now is because of my experience with law enforcement. Many officers or even security gaurds are, like you said, given things that people can and cannot bring. While the manager was misinformed, if he had allowed you to carry lockpicks or anything else that he was unsure of, and you did somthing with that item, it would fall back on him. Even if it was stabbing your passenger in the hand for touching your newspaper tasting bread. Now while I do agree lockpicks should have no problem being allowed on flights, the manager would rather have you send them to yourself, then to risk himself being fired. This applies to anything else too, even in real law enforcement officers. Just think when an officer of any sort doesn't let you do or take somthing: what would I do if I was in his position? If I allowed this to go forth, what could happen and what could happen to me? Could I be Fired? Could I have to fight to feed my Kids? I know I am exagerating, but this is just how I feel regarding this matter.

-pickermeapie