Question on international airline pick issues

[raimundo]

If you can make picks with a few files and some easily found metal, there is never any reason to carry them through customs. I can make really good picks with three files, and sandpaper on a wooden fence post for a bench. no vise required. Some day I'm gonna make a video of this. takes about an hour for a really good and efficient set. Then you can give em awayor lose em too.

[Hak]

America...land of the free, huh? Lmao

[David_Parker]

Don't worry about security. I take my picks across flights all the time....specifically my jacknife. I think its fun to test new security smuggling techniques with the airports. I'm not talking about cocaine or anything, I just like to have my picks with me where ever I go.

If you have a jacknife, disassemble it. Nail set and hammer, pop out the retaining pin, and slowly take out your pick blades. Be careful, theres a small plastic wafer that fits in there as well. Grab the largest, most metal pen you can find. Shove them in. Reassemble the pen. Store in luggage near something bulky and thick. Preferrably a cd player, palm pilot...anything that will deter the x-rays. Take the tightening screw, retaining pin, and tension wrench and put them in a bag. Store in toiletries kit. If security pulls out the bag, just say tell them its part of your camera or something. Take the jacknife handle, and put it on your keys. There aren't any blades on it, so just act cool and calm when they pop it up, and say its an old gift.

Its worked for me about 5 times since 9/11. Normal picks are harder to get through, usually, I just end up chucking them into my bad with checked luggage, and I've never had a problem.


-Dave.

[hung82000]

I think its fun to test new security smuggling techniques with the airports.

Maybe I'm just being overly paranoid, but this doesn't seem like the smartest statement to make when people are still extremely sensitive about airport security. I realize you're not talking about bringing anything dangerous on board, but at the same time if you are caught with something they find dangerous, and it was obvious that you tried to conceal it, they may just find cause to arrest you.

When I travelled in March of 1999, I accidentally brought my Spyderco with me. I asked the Airport Security people if it was a problem, and they measured it. They said since it was under 5" long it was fine. Nowadays if you have a Swiss Army knife in your carry on they will hassle you and maybe take you in for questioning. Your best bet is to not chance it, and leave them at home. You can always buy a cheap set, or make some temps.

[cormu]

for years i have been going back anf forth from finland to uk a few times a year and before 9/11 i always had my swiss on me + a few basic picks for pratice on the pålane never had a problem ... now there is no chance unless u want a mp5 shoved in your face in heathrow....

this year my wife even got busted for having plastic Toristsoviner bottle opener (corkscrew) !!!!

go figure huh they took her aside to a room then slow emptyed the suspect handbag on the table with rubber gloves and extreme causion ..then the preceded to take the offending object giving a telling off in the same time ... and told this must be destroyed .... or you can post it to your home ... LOL

wife didnt find it amusing but i certinally did

[Wolf2486]

I'm pretty sure in the U.S you are allowed to carry lockpicks, knives, martial arts weapons, and, if they're checked in right, guns. As long as you put them in your check-in bag. You are not allowed to carry explosives, ammunition, "unknown" or illegal substances, or chemicals.

[raimundo]

Be very afraid of anyone with a bic biro, those things can pick locks and in the solar plexus, ouch. and the soft parts of the neck, like the jugular or an eye socket, everyone with is bic biro is definately a terrorist. Only draft defered cheney or deserter bush can protect you, but don't count on them being there for you, they really don't give a shit about you.

[Buggs41]

OUCH!

[Richie]

Been a while since I responded .

I got through customs fine. I did like you recommended and placed it in my bag. On the trip home, they searched my stuff, but the only thing wrong was they broke my monkey statue.

I'm very surprised how many places don't even bat an eye at things on a keychain. I bring it to my job every day and they haven't said a word, yet try to bring a cell phone or swiss army knife and they'll chew you out.

Oh, and, in my state the police would have to prove criminal intent for them to arrest me or yell at me. Hopefully anyway.