I'm taking a trip on Continental Airlines to New York to visit my friend Sandrasingh for my birthday next month and were going to Rhinebeck .
I'm so excitted but even though TSA says I can take my knitting needles is it really up to the security check point people right? I was told The Knit Kit cannot go in my carry on bag because of the thread cutter even though the site you buy it at says it is TSA Compliant so I'm taking my dental floss it works on cutting fingering and worsted weight yarn;)
I want to take my plastic Denise Interchangeable Needles.
Tell me what your exsperience with flying and your knitting needles and accessories has been and any tips you have? Hugs Darcy
18 comments:
i do not know what the current standarda are now but (used to work for united) how it works is there are 2 separate secrity entities you are dealing with. The airline themselves, who i believe now do say wooden needles are fine. Where it can come into question is with TSA, the airport's security people. (the power hungry folks at the metal detector), even then it is the interpretation of the individual agent you deal with. The airline can give you the number to TSA to answer any questions but your lil knit kit i think would be safe. Personally i have still used the dental floss or nail clipper approach and stuck to traveling with wooden circular needles. ( i also have not flown in almost 2 years so things i am sure have mellowed since!) Have fun on your trip!
Dental floss = brillian! I've never seen that before.
Why, yes, I do live under a rock. Why do you ask?
I haven't flown in a while so I don't know but I'd like to know how you make out. I have a trip in Oct and can't decide if I should take any knitting.
Why is it that people find so many uses for floss and none of them are flossing their teeth? LOL. I've always taken my knitting stuff. All of it. You can't have metal needles, but as long as scissors are short and blunt tip. If you put all of your knitting together in a little bag you should be golden. I've taken wooden, denise, double points, and never had a problem. I think also if you are nice to the TSA people it helps. You should wear a pair of knit socks. I once had the guy notice my socks, when he came across the knitting bag, he didn't blink twice. It was obvious I was using the gear to make socks. Plus, gives you a chance to show off your knit socks.
I also do the dental floss. I just toss the container in my knitting bag when it gets empty. I haven't had issues flying with my knitpicks options needles (the standard metal ones). Originally I used to bring my bamboo options, and since I haven't had a problem I started bringing whatever I'm using. I think I'd try to bring circulars as I've heard that people have better luck with that over really long straights. Also you'd rather not squish next to a non-knitter with huge straights anyway. I always bring an envelope stamped and addressed to myself just in case my needles get confiscated. I think the yarn harlot recommended this. Not sure who it was now.
Have an awesome trip!
The TSA site says that ultimately the decision on whether an item can be taken onboard is up to the screener. But I have traveled round trip to San Francisco from Chicago a couple of times this year & not had a problem. I carry my sock bag with 6" Pony Pearl DPN's & 6" Crystal Palace bamboo needles. Anything else I pack in my checked luggage (I always take a ridiculous amount of knitting stuff - what would I do if I got stranded somewhere with no knitting?) I have never had security even look twice at my knitting & I always set off the metal detector in SFO (I have a plate, 2 long pins & several screw in my left hip from surgery many years ago) so my carry ons get extra scrutiny. The TSA site suggests plastic or wood needles & suggests avoiding long circs (I use 60" Addi lace needles for Magic Loop.) So I usually pack my Knitpicks Options in my checked luggage.
I wish I could say I flew enough to tell you, but...........I'm just so happy you are going to Rhinebeck. Have a wonderful time & get lots of neat stuff!!! Happy Birthday too
I've never had any trouble in the states. Generally, if I'm worried, I travel with wooden-tipped circs, or wood dpns, but I've taken my signature needles on board without trouble. I've also taken my knit kit, scissors and all. Have fun on your trip!
This is going to be the bestest birthday ever I feel like that girl;) Hugs Darcy
Darcy we're so excited you're coming all the way from CA to visit us in NYC! Knitta, its gonna be fun!
Dental floss cutter--what a great idea!! I had my scissors taken at jury duty check-in but the Denise needles sailed through.
I fly several times a year, through ATL, LGA, and ORD primarily. I take wooden needles or DPNs. I've found that DPNs in my purse don't get questioned at all (they look like pens) and I've never had anyone ask about short wooden circulars --well, no one at the security.
Last time I flew out of NY I was sitting at my gate and some woman asked "They let you through security with that?" as I'm sitting there knitting away with a 16" circular (scarf). I felt like saying "No, sweetie, I used my Jedi mind trick." *sigh*.....
Most of the security guards are pretty cool. Just remember liquids in the quart bag rule, that one they are more of a stickler on.
Oh I need this post. I may begin to fly again and I need to know the answers! thanks
I beaded my yarn cutter into a necklace. I toss it in the box with the rest of my jewelry. They never know the difference...not that I've ever had a problem though. I had my bamboo double points with me for socks.
Have fun! I know you will enjoy yourself.
I fly all the time, mostly on Continental. I just got back on Friday night and am leaving again in another week. It's sounds exotic and like tons of fun but is a pain.
I always fly with knitting and have never had a problem. I always have a mini-scissors and they've never complained about it. Most often if there is any comment, it is to ask what I am knitting.
Don't worry about it - it will be fine. Really.
And have lots of fun.
By the way, I just read one of the comments that said that you couldn't have metal needles - well I always use metal needles with no problem. Lately I've been using interchangables the metal tips. I mostly remember to undo the tips and put them with my pens in my purse, but not always. Never had a problem. I also sometimes use 14" aluminum ones and never had a problem with them either - maybe I just live a charmed life.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1252.shtm I always check the updates at the TSA.gov site right before I fly. They have changed even since I flew in 2/08.
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