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Knitting on Airplane
Hey, is it ok to knit on a plane if your just a teenage girl who shows no threat? (this is on continental going from jamaica to america non-stop)
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if you have a family member that also knits, see if you can borrow a set of denise interchangeable needles. the actual needles are very short and plastic. almost all airlines have accepted them.
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Well, I googled this, and I'm copy-pasting what came up.
US airport security, unfortunately, can't make up their minds which way to go on a lot of rulings, and sometimes even they aren't up with the changes in the rules. Sometimes I can get through with fold over scissors and another time I can't get through with microscopic teasers.
According to the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) - Transporting Knitting Needles and Needlepoint:
Knitting needles are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage. However, there is a possibility that the needles can be perceived as a possible weapon by the TSA screener. TSA Screeners have the authority to determine if an item could be used as a weapon and may not allow said item to pass through security. TSA recommends the following when bring knitting needles on an airplane:
* Circular knitting needles are recommended to be less than 31 inches in total length
* We recommend that the needles be made of bamboo or plastic (Not Metal)
* Scissors must have blunt points
* In case the screener does not allow your knitting tools through security it is recommended that you carry a self addressed envelope so that you can mail your tools back to yourself as opposed to surrendering them at the security check point.
* As a precautionary measure it is recommended that you carry a crochet hook with yarn to save the work you have already done in case your knitting tools are surrendered at the checkpoint.
I did some research and here are some tips for the traveler who wants to knit, crochet, or tat.
To begin with, I highly recommend you visit the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) - Transporting Knitting Needles and Needlepoint web page, print it out, and carry it with your knitting, crocheting, tatting, or needlepoint kit, ready to show them if clarification is needed. We do this with our film and it has saved us when clarification with the rules has been necessary.
Knitting
Knitting needles are permitted on US airlines and through airport security. So far, both straight needles and circular knitting needles are permitted. They can be wooden, plastic, or metal. Unfortunately, the decision is on a case by case basis, so it is recommended that you stick to wooden or plastic, dull, and not exceptionally long. If they are circular needles, make sure the connecting plastic or wire is thick and not thin. Or use a set of removable circular plastic connectors and disconnect them for the pass through security.
Stitch holders tend to look like large safety pins and can be a cause for concern for airport security. The same goes for cable needles and other sharp and pointy metal objects used in knitting. Choose plastic versions of these knitting tools to avoid problems.
If you are concerned about your knitting needles, there are two options worth considering.
Bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope large enough for your knitting needles with you. If security refuses admittance, and you want to keep your knitting needles, you can put them in the envelope and mail them to yourself. You can mail them to your destination or back home, it's up to you. Make sure to include enough postage to get them to their destination.
Bring pencils with the ends painted with fingernail polish or a lacquer to cover the lead, or empty ink pens approximating knitting needles, and knit with these as your backups. The standard #2 yellow pencil is slightly smaller than a size 11 (8MM) needle.
Scissors
You mess with threads and yarn, you have to do some cutting. Scissors are very likely to be confiscated, even child-scissors with the rounded noses and dull blades. Clover makes a round medallion that looks more like a pendant than what it really is: a circular thread cutter. If you slide your thread down the "teeth", it catches the razor blade inside and cuts the thread.
You can hang it around your neck like a necklace. I've worn mine through many flights with no notice. There is no way it can be used to cut someone as there are no accessible blades. The best threat you can offer is to cut someone's hair. It will cut all types of thread, yarn, and string. It is about the size of a half dollar or Euro.
As for knitting, crocheting, tatting, and doing any needlework on the airplane itself, it is permitted, though not recommended during take-off and landing for safety reasons. That is until someone protests.
If you find yourself next to someone uncomfortable with your knitting needles, and they tell you or act suspicious, ask the attendant to move you to another seat where the people will not be bothered by your knitting.
Usually you can smile and tell them about the fun history of your knitting, crocheting, or tatting, and they will relax. You can even confide that you are relieved to be able to once again carry your knitting needles, crochet hooks, and shuttles on long flights as it gives you something to do to pass the time on long, boring flights. It makes you feel productive. Be kind and understanding of their fear and they will usually agree and let it go. If they don't, move, and keep on working, if possible.
The attendants themselves may inspect your knitting needles, tatting shuttles, and crochet hooks for security purposes, but answer yes when they ask if security permitted you through with the tools, and they usually leave you alone. If they do have concerns, they may take the knitting needles and return them to you after the flight (remember to ask), or ask you to put them away and not use them on the flight. It's annoying, but press them to reconsider without getting angry, and if they don't, then do as they instruct without making a scene. Then write some nasty letters to the airlines afterwards. Name names. Point fingers. This will make things better for others traveling in the future.
This is from [Link](Mouse over link to see full location).
I don't think you'll have any problems. :) Have a safe flight!
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Most likely not. But if you decide to bring it, put the needle WITH the yarn and stuff, so they know you're not meaning harm.
-Sarah
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They most likely won't let you bring the knitting needles onto the plane. They wouldn't even let me bring on a nail filer (the fancy kind) back in June.
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Oh wow! I don't fly myself but that's a good question. I'm gonna bet they won't allow them on the plane. They seem to be real touchy these days.
To be sure why don't you call the airline and ask them. I am sure they would be helpful. They may even have a web site you could go to for more information. :)
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