taking knitting needles on an aeroplane??

[chocolic]

can anyone advise if this is ok, or do I risk them being confiscated at security??
I am flying BA to india if that makes any difference.

TIA for any help!

I think the ban has been lifted but you can use bamboo circulars and hide them inside an umbrella so the needles won't show up in the X-ray machine.

Yes, from a bit of Googling it seems Heathrow and Gatwick both still say they will confiscate them, allow many of the airlines themselves are happy for them to be used. I would take bamboo and be prepared to have them taken, so maybe be working on something that comes in small pieces, like a blanket!

A friend of mine uses the bamboo circulars with interchangable points, and uses the points to pin her hair up!

The government website says that knitting needles are allowed but they also say to check with the airport and airline in case those items are not permitted. I'd buy some bamboo needles, maybe try to get an email from them to say they will allow them and hope for the best.

Why bamboo? Am I being dim?

I am very excited that knitting needles may be allowed on planes, I had assumed it'd be a definite no. Whether I'll get any done with toddler and baby in tow...!

2 reasons I can think of..

1. they won't be picked up on the xray.
2. they'd break before they did anyone any damage, hardly a threatening item but I guess there are people out there who have a use for everything!

If they check your bag, they still might object, so i'd try and get confirmation before.

Knitting? With a baby and toddler? On a plane?

Stranger things have happened ...

... no wait. No, they haven't

I'd take a nice, simple pattern at least chocolic!

I know. total wishful thinking.

UK airports are probably the worst in the world to get knitting needles of ANY sort through. Circs have been confiscated because 'that could be a garotte'. Bamboo and wooden straights and DPNs because they could be weapons. Wooden and sharp metal propelling pencils are permitted.

My mother often just shrugs and takes a bamboo crochet hook instead, and she has never had a problem with that. I've often wondered about customising wooden crochet hooks to be knitting needles at one end! shesparkles, I love the idea about putting bamboo interchangable tips in your hair!

Sometimes I stick my wooden DPNs in a pencil case with some pens and pencils, and that's never been a problem (and if called on it, would also raise the question, 'why confiscate the flimsy DPNs and not the substantial pointy pencil?'), but of course you have to put your stitches onto yarn beforehand, which is a PITA.

Yes, I have thought about all of this far too much!