Journal ([info]tinkerbell_shoe) wrote in [info]cross_stitch,
@ 2007-08-28 12:26:00
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Current location:my desk.
Current mood: confused
Entry tags:travel

Needles on planes?
Hey,

This is kinda random I know, but I'm going on holiday in 22 days. Flying from London Gatwick to Cyprus. 4 and a half hours, which could be perfect stitching time.
My mum said that I could take my things in my hand luggage.
I then read someone on here was planning on taking their stitching on a plane (not sure where from though) and somebody replied saying they haven't been able to take a needle on a plane for ages.

Does anybody know?


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[info]xinef
2007-08-28 11:50 am UTC (link)
No problem with needles, but be very careful with your choice of scissors, they must be really blunt ended. I've taken my needlework with me in Canada, the US, Italy and Germany and not had a single question about the needle, but had to hand in a pair of scissors.

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[info]sioneva
2007-08-28 12:21 pm UTC (link)
UK airports can be very picky about sharps - some will allow needles, some will not. I seem to remember that a couple of years ago, when I flew out of Gatwick, needles were on the prohibited list.

I'd ring airport information or the airline and ask, myself.

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[info]bethct
2007-08-28 12:18 pm UTC (link)
I just flew round trip from NY to Australia and I stitched the entire time from NY to LA and from Australia to LA with no problems at all. My scissors are from JoAnn etc (but any craft store shoudl have them). They are tiny (US FAA says scissors with blades under 4 inches are ok) and the fold up so that the blades kind of hide in the handles. I did end up frogging a lot because of bad light but on a flight that long it was fabulous to have the option!
I was worried that they would take away my needle or thread (I actually packed 4 needles in different places :) ) so I bought a ton of thread that needed to be wound onto bobbins. That was perfect for when I was watching a movie and in fact I never finished all the winding I needed to do.

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[info]xinef
2007-08-28 02:31 pm UTC (link)
I actually packed 4 needles in different places

I've taken to putting a needle in with my coins. Not likely to be picked up by security there. Note that my coins are in a wallet, not loose in a pocket and thus dumped directly into one of the security trays.

And I had a pair of scissors with blades clearly less than 4" confiscated in Toronto. The point wasn't blunt enough for them. I now travel with a pair of nail scissors for babies (bought at the local pharmacy). Blades are sharp enough for thread cutting, no more than 1/2" and the end is clearly rounded. No problems since.

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[info]gblvr
2007-08-28 12:23 pm UTC (link)
I use one of these when I travel; I have it on a loop of ribbon, so I don't lose it when I'm stitching.

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[info]sulinpanda
2007-08-28 05:00 pm UTC (link)
Last I heard, in the US they're verboten. It's an "exposed blade."

And then, probably in every region, enforcement is going to be variable. This person may be more strict than the next; that airport may be more lax than the next...

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[info]sonoran999
2007-08-29 11:32 am UTC (link)
I carry one also and have never had so much as a raised eyebrow about it over the last 2 years. I just flew in July to Hawaii with it and to Denver last Thanksgiving.

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[info]lizzibabe
2007-08-30 02:48 am UTC (link)
Put it into a change purse with your coins, and they'll never see it.

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[info]sulinpanda
2007-08-28 05:05 pm UTC (link)
Plus, the rules seem to change every few months anyway... bleah

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[info]odiedragon
2007-08-28 12:59 pm UTC (link)
I've heard nail clippers can be a good substitute for scissors, when flying... You should be fine with needles from what I've heard, but I woudln't bring your special fancy gold plated ones, just in case.

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[info]obsidianchaos
2007-08-28 02:31 pm UTC (link)
I'm not sure if that would work. I still hear stories of nail clippers being taken as they could be a "deadly weapon".

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[info]xinef
2007-08-28 02:32 pm UTC (link)
In the very early days after 9/11, but I've not had my nail clippers challenged since, and I've flown through the UK, Canada, US, Germany and Italy. YMMV.

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[info]peemonkey
2007-08-28 10:07 pm UTC (link)
I stitched and used nail clippers for cutting on a flight about a month ago -- I got to keep the clippers (my scissors were confiscated) and they worked great!

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[info]bekki_n
2007-08-28 11:45 pm UTC (link)
The nail file part is what the whinge about. My husband had the file broken off at one airport in australia (after travelling with the same one through airports all over australia and the USA)

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[info]hazelstitch
2007-08-28 01:01 pm UTC (link)
It clearly says on the BAA Gatwick website that sharp items are not allowed

http://www.gatwickairport.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/Can_and_CantDec06.pdf

The last item on the list of prohibited items is 'any other sharp edged, or sharp pointed items' - they are likely to lump needles under that category

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[info]tinkerbell_shoe
2007-08-28 01:45 pm UTC (link)
Just had a read through that (I should have looked before I posted lol) and I'm guessing I can't.

Ohwell, I'm sure I can find something else to do :)

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[info]hazelstitch
2007-08-28 01:48 pm UTC (link)
I know, it is annoying - especially as we seem to have stricter rules than anywhere else.

Cross stitch needles don't even seem threatening, but ah well

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[info]eliset
2007-08-28 02:35 pm UTC (link)
I'm willing to bet that if you put a small pack of needles in your pocket, the metal detector won't go off. Or if you put just one or two in - even a pat-down probably wouldn't detect one or two.

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[info]shadowspun
2007-08-29 09:58 pm UTC (link)
The problems I see with that are 1) if actually caught, you may be in a lot of trouble and 2) if the flight crew is as picky, you may have them confiscated mid-air.

That being said, we just flew US domestic twice and I brought my stitching and they didn't bat an eyelash. The flight crew complimented it and the TSA screeners let it go by with nothing said, either way. I brought two pairs of scissors: those awful fold-ups and an awful pair of short, blunt stitching scissors. I forgot to buy the baby clippers beforehand.

I second the calling Gatwick Airport advice and asking directly if a one and a half inch long sewing needle is really that dangerous. Hmm. I wonder if you buy one of those little travel sewing kits and stick a few needles in there, if they would even notice it - you know the little repair kit with buttons and thread.

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[info]xstitcher
2007-08-28 01:04 pm UTC (link)
An empty dental floss case works too in a pinch. It doesn't cut as well as scissors, but I don't know of anyone who had theirs confiscated.

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[info]obsidianchaos
2007-08-28 02:30 pm UTC (link)
I was the traveler, & there shouldn't be any reason why you can't bring your stitching along.

I traveled with two cross-stitch kits in my bag, containing two needles & a small pair of sewing scissors. Didn't set off any alarms with anyone. =)

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[info]arthenadent
2007-08-28 02:36 pm UTC (link)
Are you flying with RyanAir? When I did, I had no problem taking my stitching on the plane. Trouble is, once we were in the air and I started stitching, I was ordered to stop by the flight attendants. No reason given, just a threat to take it away if I didn't stop immediately. Jerks!

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[info]tinkerbell_shoe
2007-08-28 03:54 pm UTC (link)
No, Thomson.

I'm not worried about them finding the needle or anything, when it comes to setting the alarms off or anything (that wouldn't happen, plus they wouldn't find it. It's more if you are allowed, because I don't want to get in trouble or cause alarm when on the plane.

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[info]galyndean
2007-08-28 03:18 pm UTC (link)
There's also some links from the community user info page on this subject.

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[info]haniaw
2007-08-28 04:23 pm UTC (link)
I have travelled extensively in the last 5 years and have never had any problems with needles. I highly recommend that you go ahead and take your project and stick a few needles in different places just in case. I also usually put a couple of needles and my tiny round scissors in my change purse. It will not be detected in amongst a lot of coins.

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[info]kielrain
2007-08-28 04:38 pm UTC (link)
my needles were just fine... but they took my scissors (they were kids scissors, I didn't think they could be smaller or more blunt) in Narita Airport.

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[info]sulinpanda
2007-08-28 05:02 pm UTC (link)
(sarcasm)You gotta love paranoia...(/sarcasm)

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[info]tinkerbell_shoe
2007-08-28 05:17 pm UTC (link)
I thought it was best to ask.

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[info]sulinpanda
2007-08-29 12:33 am UTC (link)
I'm sorry, I'm not aiming anything at *you*. I just think that the whole you-can-you-can't has gotten out of hand, and into the realm of "You're taking away my knitting needles! Why? Do you think I'm going to knit an Afghan?"z

The standards differ from airline to airline, airport to airport, country to country (okay, I can accept that one...), and then they seem to change every few months for no rhyme or reason. It's just so hard to be sure.

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[info]tinkerbell_shoe
2007-08-29 08:26 am UTC (link)
Ooo sorry I wasn't taking it the wrong way or anything. :) I just thought I better ask, but as you said it's different everywhere.
Last year we wasn't allowed to take anything on board really, but this year we can take food etc on board, and it's changed really often here in London.
I'm really hoping this year is going to be more straight forward than last lol.

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[info]mamma_bird
2007-08-28 05:19 pm UTC (link)
I just flew US domestic about three weeks ago, and I took three needles and the little round pendant thread cutter that someone posted before. it's just that they shouldn't have a point. floss boxes work just fine, but it's better to have a pendant cutter...

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[info]frankcheez
2007-08-28 10:49 pm UTC (link)
I flew this summer and researched it before hand and this is what I found:
sewing/stitching needles and pins are A-okay
scissors must either have a blunt tip OR the blade has to be under 4 inches.

That was what I read for the air transit whatever it's called big-time dealy, not just for an individual airline. But you may want to check with the standards of the country you're flying to and from.

I brought a needlework kit including my needle book with several needles in it, as well as a pair of embroidery scissors with 1.5 inch blades (and they are indeed VERY pointy at the end). I was frankly surprised they let me get through with those scissors (cuz I've poked myself with them closed before), but according to the rules they were allowed, and I was prepared to wave that rule in their face if they gave me a hard time. I even brought a self-address and stamped envelope big enough to mail my entire needlework kit home in in case they gave me any trouble. No problems though.

Stitchers aren't the ones they're worried about, anyway...lol


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[info]absentesse
2007-08-29 04:33 am UTC (link)
If it was me, I'd pack it, and if it gets confiscated, it gets confiscated. Take a book as well just incase.

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[info]bratlet
2007-08-29 05:48 am UTC (link)
id say take it, and if they say no needles when looking at your carry-on, give them the needle and take a book as a backup.

My father flies 36 hours from mongolia to home(in eastern canada) every two months with luggage full of liquor and smokes, a lighter when he used to smoke (most of this in his carry on) and he has yet to be checked and told to pay for it when entering any country. So I dont really think you have anything to worry about.

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[info]sonoran999
2007-08-29 11:39 am UTC (link)
I think they're really worried about knitting needles because they can be used as a weapon to poke eyes out or stab into a body. I don't think that cross stitch needles count in this grouping. If it does get taken, you could put extras in your checked luggage just in case so you can still stitch at your destination.

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[info]shadowspun
2007-08-29 10:06 pm UTC (link)
Here's what the TSA (the American paranoia gurus) say about Knitting and Needlepoint:

*****
Transporting Knitting Needles & 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 one of our Security Officers. Our Security Officers have the authority to determine if an item could be used as a weapon and may not allow said item to pass through security. We recommend 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 a Security Officer 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 we recommend 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

Most of the items needed to pursue a Needlepoint project are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage with the exception of circular thread cutters or any cutter with a blade contained inside. These items cannot be taken through a security checkpoint. They must go in your checked baggage.
*****

I have yet to realize the logic in what can and cannot be taken onto a plane or what is perceived as a threat. Frankly, I could do way more damage to a person with a pen in the throat or eye than stitching needle and scissors. Although, I too have made myself bleed from both. ;p I figure eventually, they'll either give up and let whatever on board as long as it's nt explosive or a true weapon or we'll devolve to the point where all we can do on any length flight is sit there and twiddling our thumbs while listening to really bad muzak because no carry-ons will be allowed at all.

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