plane security

[jas1002]

What can and can't you take on planes.

Are knitting needles and crochet hooks allowed, and what about pens.

[Buenchico]

The restrictions on cabin baggage prohibit "pointed or bladed articles capable of causing injury". This description would seem to include both knitting needles and crochet hooks but I've never heard of anyone being refused permission to carry any form of pen:
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=b ag&quest=prohibiteditems

The articles you describe are not prohibited in checked-in baggage:
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=b ag&quest=prohibitedchecked

(Although those links are to Ryanair, the rules are common to all airlines).

Chris

[spudqueen]

Pretty sure that knitting needles are no longer allowed in hand luggage.

[kempie]

Chris... your phrase "the rules are common to all airlines" is not strictly accurate.

Although true of the UK and many other countries, for flights originating in the US there is not necessarily any prohibition of "Guns, firearms, ammunition and weapons (including replica items)" as checked-in baggage, therefore nationality (or perhaps that should be geography) is a factor.

http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_NEW.pdf

[ianess]

Airline /airport security is a joke and a knee-jerk reaction to some perceived but unsubstantiated threat since 9/11.
I was allowed to carry my own personal pocket knife.....a lock-knife with a 4" long pointed blade....to Ibiza and back aftering offering no more than an apology for not leaving it at home. I'm not a kid and have carried a pocket knife as a useful tool for decades with no problems.
Hysteria rules.

[rojash]

You are definitely NOT allowed to take a bulldozer on any commercial passenger plane

[kempie]

Are you sure rojash?

http://www.airfoyle.co.uk/

[Machecoul]

No lighters in your hand luggage on US flights - although matches are allowed.

[rojash]

I don't think anyone would class that as a commercial passenger plane, kempie.

[kempie]

Why not?

They are a commercial airline and cater for passengers along with heavy and outsize air cargo.

[jas1002]

Thank you :-)

Nice to know I started a highly educational debate!!!!! :-)