pks2000

Am planning a trip to France this summer and like to carry a needlepoint or cross-stitch when I travel. I have unfortunately been "relieved" of inadvertant haircutting scissors or silly folding scissors in airports in the States when going through security...seriously, the folding pair probably couldn't even cut thread! Anyway, what do you (pegontheroad?)carry to cut threads while travelling? I don't dare take my nice thread scissors but don't know what I can use...a nail clipper perhaps? Any advice please.

ira

Hi P,

Go to www.tsa.gov and look up <scissors>.

grsing

One thing I know for sure you can take is one of those containers of floss that have the integrated cutting thing; that should be enough for thread.

Tracey14

Pks2000: You should check out the tsa site, since I read in the newspaper awhile ago that the rules regarding certain sharp implements were going to be relaxed somewhat. However, even if not, don't worry. Safety scissors (scissors with a rounded end, usually for children) have always been okay (information that I once gleaned from the tsa site). Like you I like to needlepoint while travelling, and have taken a pair of safety scissors in my carryon many times since 9/11. I've never had a problem - security once even complimented me on my foresight.

julies

I don't know about scissors, but here's what just happened to me last week with knitting needles. Had no problem whatsoever getting to Europe with knitting needles in my carry-on. Coming home from CDG they wouldn't let me on with them even though they were plastic. That's why I don't know if Ira's suggestion is so good. That is a US site and regulations.

moolyn

Carry a small package of dental floss with a tiny built in cutter. It works for thread as well as floss. Some dentists give out credit card sized floss for advertising purposes.

Neopolitan

We became hysterical with laughter on one recent trip when they wanted to search my carryon after the X-ray. They had spotted one of those tiny freebie sewing kits from a hotel --and inside was a pair of "scissors" that were about an inch and a half long. They were made of thin metal not unlike aluminum foil. They were designed to cut thread, but it would take an expert to figure out how to do that. Touching the blades made them bend. You couldn't have stabbed a fly and killed it with this "toy". Anyway they confiscated them and apologized profusely. We tried so hard not to laugh but were unsuccessful.

halfpint

As noted above, many strange things happen at security checkpoint, so it all depends on WHOM is doing it, one person lets you through, another will comfiscate. The dental floss thing sounded like a FAIRLY good suggestion. l know recently, a friend had her manicure scissors which had been in her purse many prior flights and halfway home, and they had belonged to her grandmother so were SPECIAL to her and guess what, they ARE GONE. So you never can be sure. Have a good trip anyway. Halfpint

grsing

They tried to confiscate a guy's Congressional Medal of Honor, for chrissakes, so yeah, strange things definitely happen, and it varies immensely from person to person.

pks2000

Thanks all for your responses. I especially liked the dental floss cutter idea, since it should make a clean cut. Some of those crummy scissors fray the thread so much you cannot thread the needle. Also, the kids safety scissors may be a good thing to take, and if they're confiscated it would not be a big deal because they are inexpensive (unlike my expensive haircutting scissors).

noe847

Rounded end scissors have not always been acceptable. Right after 9/11 NO scissors were acceptable. We had some very good quality baby nail scissors with rounded ends that were confiscated, as did my sister in law. The rules in the US have relaxed and now accept rounded tip scissors, I believe, but I wouldn't take a chance on an international flight.

For needlework, I have brought dental floss and used the cutters. There are also these flat discs that you can get at some sewing stores that have an imbedded cutting blade. On one trip I precut some lengths of thread that I wound on a small piece of cardboard.

As for knitting needles, they are accepted in the US these days (although I think not a few years ago). I traveled with my knitting on my recent trip to London. On the return, I noticed that the big sign listing prohibited items at Gatwick said "knitting needles". I was really worried about that (didn't want to lose all that hard work if my knitting didn't go through) but they let them through with no comment (and they are metal).

Intrepid1

The whole situation is in such disarray IMO..I'm sure Ira was trying to be helpful in recommending the TSA site (I'm hearing that the letters "TSA" now actually stand for Transportation Security Anarchy.

They tell you you don't have to take your shoes off but try getting through with them on; the metal detectors are set at various sensitivity levels depending on which airport you use; I once had a bicycle locking security cable confiscated because it was assessed as being a "potential weapon" although they refused to give me the instructions as to how to use it as such; knitting needles, plastic and otherwise, which certainly COULD be used as a weapon are banned at some points and allowed at others.

Get the dental floss and hope that nobody gets too interested in the needles you are going to be using.

AnselmAdorne

Julies, about the knitting needles and CDG. I had read elsewhere that you couldn't carry on needles coming out of France. My wife (aka Mme Dufarge) has cleared security at CDG with various sizes and types of needles over the last few years.

CDG is consistently inconsistent, I think.

Anselm

Pegontheroad

I carry these teensy-weensy little scissors I once got in a miniature travel sewing kit, but next time I think I'll bring the children's scissors with the rounded tip, also as the teensy ones show signs of getting dull. Losing the children's scissors would be no great loss.

I always carry sewing scissors in my checked luggage.

I too have heard that rules have been relaxed to allow more things, but I'm not going to risk good German scissors in case the TSA waffles.

moolyn

There's also a thread cutter pendant available. It's made by Clover so you can probably find one in a needlework or sewing store. Nancy's Notions and Clotilde carry it online. Here's a picture of one: http://www.clotilde.com/cl/product_g...mp;g_id=148821

nini

I purchased the thread cutter for use on planes and found it frayed my embroidery floss that I use for smocking. My small (and pointy) scissors are way too expensive to chance confiscation. So I pre-cut the floss into twenty inch sections and wind it around small plastic holders. the dangling thread can be cut off later. I have used this plan since flying after 9/11.

apri

The only thing consistent about the TSA regulations is that they are always changing! The latest guidance is in their "3-1-1 for carryons"... http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm (there's a link to the latest and greatest prohibited items including sharp objects).

If in doubt, check it! (This advice on travel sewing kits here: http://www.vintage-sewing-machines.c...el-sewing-kits ).

djkbooks

First of all, tiny scissors are not likely to be noticed in your carryon, especially if nestled among other items with metal (hair dryer, curling iron, PDA, etc.). I'm not suggesting this is "legal", but I keep my carryon packed at all times (for car and air travel) and have "missed" removing many items myself, only to be astonished as what was never noticed through security upon arrival at our destination.

Once, flying out of Logan, I had forgotten to move my nail scissors from the carryon to the checked bag. That time, they were noticed, but "determined" to have rounded points, when, in fact, they had sharp points, but the "blades" are tiny (under 1/2&quot.

Anyway, for cutting thread, get a pair of those baby nail scissors with the way rounded tips. No guarantee you'll get them through security - all depends on who's checking and whether they're noticed.

A dental floss dispenser, as mentioned above, is also an excellent "thread cutter".

All in all, if you're determined to be able to cut thread during your travels, you should pack several possibilities. You just never know what will be confiscated or not.

hetismij

Even though this is an old thread (pardon the pun) I will answer it. I use a thing called a Daisy Cutter when I'm travelling.

Maudie

Very nice pun indeed, well done!

I just did some applique patchwork coming home from Zurich and to save any hassles I just cut a selection of threads to a manageable size, when I have finished I just leave them at the back then cut them off with my nail scissors later.