Knitting needles in cabin baggage-be warned!

[BigBirthdayGloom]

The rules, which I checked really carefully before a recent European flight, say that you can have knitting needles in cabin baggage now. I checked with the steward on the flight and he confirmed this. However, I wasn't allowed to take them on my return flight. I decided not to argue my case with the slightly grim looking security guy! Luckily, a friend picked them up from the information desk, as I'd (possibly foolishly) had a favourite pair.

Anyway, if you love to knit, just be aware that the rules aren't always applied properly so perhaps don't take special needles with you on flights.

It's the lack of consistency which is annoying, isn't it?

I checked the rules and went down to my local airport to double check as I wanted to take some knitting or sewing with me on a flight I was taking alone.

You'd have thought I was planning to take a gun on board the reaction I got! Explained I had read the UK government site on taking these items. They were having none of it, and told me they would be confiscated if I tried to take them with me.

I'm going to try crochet on next flight - see if they'll allow crochet hooks!

Will you report back re the crochet hooks Minnie please?

Maybe crochet hooks would escape the security inspections?

I use circular bamboo needles and they are fine on aeroplanes. Well worth investing in a set even if you don't usually use them if you do a lot of travelling.

Like these.

I managed to take plastic knitting needles on two US flights in my hand luggage. I left the metal ones at home as I thought that would be pushing it!

Yes, I typed 'plastic' but deleted that bit with my editing. Too distracted by the crochet I'm doing!

it's infuriating because people take metal pens on board all the time!

i just take cheapo ones that i don't mind being confiscated, plus make sure the knitting is already on a stitch holder/piece of waste yarn, just in case

I would dearly like a demonstration of how to hijack a plane with a knitting needle. And yes to pens. Surely you could do as much damage with a pen as a knitting needle?

I have heard reports of the rules on crochet hooks bein applied with equal inconsistency, so I wouldn't risk that either. At least with crochet it's not the end of the world if you have to take the hook out.

I've used the bamboo circular needles and put them in a pouch with a couple of pens - all sneaky like.

One I had my cross stitch needle confiscated. The plane broke so we had to get off and sit around a while (Military airport) so I fished out the 'spare' I'd forgotten all about and carried on, much to the amusement of the guy who'd stolen my last one. He'd come over to apologise and found me still stitching.

I didn't tell him about the one hidden inside the metal buckle on my coat...

I'm sneaky, but not likely to kill anyone with a blunt tapestry needle, crochet hook or knitting needles (it's probably easier to strangle people with the yarn, but best not to mention that possibility)

I used to work at an airport and overheard two of the engineers who worked airside talking about how one of them had had the fork confiscated out of his packed lunch... as he went through security with his toolbox full of sharp/pointy/heavy metal implements...

I take my knitting on interchangeables, so if the needles were confiscated I could leave the knitting on the cable. As it turns out they've always been allowed, but it depends who you get checking your bag.

I have always used wooden interchangeables, unscrewed needles and used as decoration in my hairbun!

I travel with a wooden crochet hook and clip the yarn with nail clippers.

I've travelled to NY and Portugal with crochet hooks no problem. Have to say that I only took a spare that I was happy to lose just in case through. Has anyone actually taken a printed copy of the rules? I confess I didn't, just read up before travel but I wonder how they would react with the written evidence?

From what I've read on ravelry, they couldn't give a rats arse about a print out. If they don't want you to fly with your needles, you won't, whatever the updated regulations are.

i suspect that whatever the written rules are, it's still at the discretion of the security staff there at the time, and they would be supported in their decision

TBH, I wouldn't want to be annoying the security people.

Had a lovely child's spoon and fork confiscated out of handluggage. Plastic handles but metal tines so it was whipped. Was gutted as they were lovely.

Ooh - timely thread. I've been wondering about this. Presumably it's ok to take them in your hold luggage, right? Including metal ones?

yes of course, after all you can have tweezers, scissors etc (i have accidentally taken tweezers through in hand luggage though too!)

it's just luck on the day i think. i wouldn't want to get into a fight about it either, which is why i take needles i don't mind chucking if necessary

Bamboo or wooden circs.

I take the tips off too going through security as well and out them in with my pens.

I have a friend that works in airport security (UK) - she says the rules change daily for them too. Some days it's ok for knitting needles...the next day not.

I suspect it depends on the threat level which can change from day to day and even hour to hour. It wouldn't surprise me if someone was allowed to take needles on a flight, just for someone on a later flight to be told no.