What do you bring on a trip (flying) when you only carry-on?

Macchina

Macchina

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I'm leaving at the end of this week for a much needed vacation with my wife. If I check I bag, normally I'll bring a SAK.
I used to travel 20 times a year (Europe and China mostly) before COVID but haven't much since.

I'm thinking about bringing my Leatherman Style PS:
style-ps-black-fanned.jpg


I always bring my folding scissors and they come in very handy:
CNS-Scissors-2__22013.1607060718.jpg



What do you bring in your carry-on bag?
 
Every airport is different essentially
But the same rule of no knife blade applies everywhere. As long as there is no knife blade. And scissors are under 4 inches you're good to go. It also helps to know your travel rights as a passenger if you get some disgruntled tsa robocop wannabe who wants to take a knifeless multi tool away just because.
As other have said, place it in a separate bin, open it all up so inspection is as fast as possible.
Former tsa here
 
ShaiHulud said:
As other have said, place it in a separate bin, open it all up so inspection is as fast as possible.
Former tsa here
Click to expand...
For years, I have carried a Leatherman Micra. I snapped off the blade and rounded the remaining nub. I always open it up (scissors, tweezers, nail file, bottle opener, screwdriver) before it goes through the x-ray.

- 50% of the time, there's no problem
- 20% of the time, there's a small delay as 2 or more TSA folks evaluate it
- 10% of the time I get "Thanks for opening it!" or a thumbs-up or a MacGyver comment of some sort. :-)
- 10% of the time, I get "This is not allowed on the plane, and we won't permit you to take it." I usually ask why it is prohibited, since small scissors, tweezers, a nail file, a bottle opener and screwdrivers are all allowed. Occasionally this requires a discussion with a supervisor.

It always gets through (as it should).

I had a Leatherman Style PS confiscated in the Tokyo airport because it "looked like" a tool with a blade, but I didn't argue it, not knowing the rules internationally.
 
ChrisB507 said:
For years, I have carried a Leatherman Micra. I snapped off the blade and rounded the remaining nub. I always open it up (scissors, tweezers, nail file, bottle opener, screwdriver) before it goes through the x-ray.

- 50% of the time, there's no problem
- 20% of the time, there's a small delay as 2 or more TSA folks evaluate it
- 10% of the time I get "Thanks for opening it!" or a thumbs-up or a MacGyver comment of some sort. :)
- 10% of the time, I get "This is not allowed on the plane, and we won't permit you to take it." I usually ask why it is prohibited, since small scissors, tweezers, a nail file, a bottle opener and screwdrivers are all allowed. Occasionally this requires a discussion with a supervisor.

It always gets through (as it should).

I had a Leatherman Style PS confiscated in the Tokyo airport because it "looked like" a tool with a blade, but I didn't argue it, not knowing the rules internationally.
Click to expand...
This is what I came to write - I heard stories of people having multitools with no blade confiscated because it was metal stuff folding out of a handle that said "pocketknife" to their brains even though it wasn't.
 
ChrisB507 said:
For years, I have carried a Leatherman Micra. I snapped off the blade and rounded the remaining nub. I always open it up (scissors, tweezers, nail file, bottle opener, screwdriver) before it goes through the x-ray.

- 50% of the time, there's no problem
- 20% of the time, there's a small delay as 2 or more TSA folks evaluate it
- 10% of the time I get "Thanks for opening it!" or a thumbs-up or a MacGyver comment of some sort. :)
- 10% of the time, I get "This is not allowed on the plane, and we won't permit you to take it." I usually ask why it is prohibited, since small scissors, tweezers, a nail file, a bottle opener and screwdrivers are all allowed. Occasionally this requires a discussion with a supervisor.

It always gets through (as it should).

I had a Leatherman Style PS confiscated in the Tokyo airport because it "looked like" a tool with a blade, but I didn't argue it, not knowing the rules internationally.
Click to expand...
Go to tsa.gov and it will tell you everything, lots of tsa workers try to say otherwise, only cause they don't like passengers.
The rules are kind of silly, they allow 4 inch long scissors regardless how pointy and stabby the tip is.
I don't know, I never understood it.
No knife, no hammers, no tools over 7", so a 6 inch stabby screwdriver is ok
Again... 🤷‍♂️
 
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Is too terribly difficult to check a bag with a knife in it? I have to fly soon and was planning on checking a bag with an ultratech stashed in my shaving kit. Is there an issue with one in a checked bag? Want to check a pistol as well but that's a colossal pain in the rear. Havent flown in about 10 years because of tsa.
 
I know this is more a USA related thread, but because we do get a lot of Americans coming to South Africa, be aware that you cannot have any blade or tool in your carry-on luggage. That includes SAKs, knifeless multitools, scissors, screw drivers of any length, even nail clippers. Honestly though, if someone manages to hijack a plane with a pair of nail clippers, just give them the plane because that's damn impressive.
 
I've never been able to fly and NOT check a bag. Thank my wife who brings 4 pairs of shoes during a 2 day trip to her mom's because she wants "options". I've always just tucked a tool away in the checked stuff that isn't obvious but I won't cry over if it walks off.

If I were going someplace and couldn't check a knife/tool, I bring along one of those discontinued Leatherman piranha tools..just a flat piece of dull stainless that can do a few things. Or maybe a simple titanium cap lifter with a little prying end. I wouldn't expect to need to do much if I am packing that light anyway.
 
Nail clippers. If you want, sharpen the tip of the nail file so you can open bags and packages.
 
I travel a fair amount for work. I'm pretty relentless about traveling light, and don't fly with things I can't tolerate losing. Unless I'm lugging something for work, I don't check bags.

When I'm going to be somewhere for a while, I tend to mail myself a package. Had a three-week work trip this year, and sent myself my trusty Sebenza, tools, and creature comforts. On shorter trips, I frequently end up buying and giving away or tossing cheap knives/tools. Which feels very wrong, but, well, the expense account is for problem solving.

My personal travel is mostly international, and my operating theory is that flirting with foreign legal systems is probably not a great way to relax. So I'm not interested in trying to figure out how to stay out of trouble crossing other peoples' borders with knives, they stay home.
 
snuffle said:
My personal travel is mostly international, and my operating theory is that flirting with foreign legal systems is probably not a great way to relax. So I'm not interested in trying to figure out how to stay out of trouble crossing other peoples' borders with knives, they stay home.
Click to expand...
+10,000
After "having fun," my next goal is "stay out of foreign jail."
 
I take these on planes.

After security I put one half in each front pocket.

0A47A0A5-B2B7-4DC8-85C4-81323DA104FB.jpeg
 
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