I realize this doesn't directly relate to travel, but I need my needlepoint to help keep my sanity on long flights. Is there ANY chance I can take very small scissors for my needlepoint on the plane, or even a very small Swiss army knife? If not, any suggestions on what could be used to cut thread that is allowed on planes?

I would doubt you'd get on the plane with either Swiss army knife (mine was taken away from me recently on United) or small scissors (listed on items not allowed on board). Might have to use the teeth, sweetheart, you know, RIP 'em apart.

Go up and pound on the cockpit door and demand to use their axe. If they don't respond, knock harder and raise your voice - be firm, motion to the flight attendants as necessary.

I was under the understanding that a needlework "kit" containing fingernail clippers is generally not being confiscated.<BR><BR>Perhaps others can speak to this from experience.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

I had a very tiny leatherman confiscated, with a scissors blade that was about an inch long. I had forgotten that it was attached to my key chain until after I checked my luggage. By the way, you do not get confiscated things back. I bet fingernail clippers are fine. There may be a website to check for the airports that you are using that may have a list of items that do not pass inspection.

Theoretically, nail clippers are allowed - but don't count on it. The decision is strictly up to the judgement of the individual screeners. A TV station recently did a feature about items confiscated at our local airport. It was amazing -- thousands of nail clippers, files, sewing kits, knitting needles, manicure sets, etc plus all the unusual items - a blow pipe, a machete (gifts?), etc.

You'd best bring a book, as you can't bring the needle on board, so it won't make any difference if you can bring scissors or nail clippers.

tp

First of all I'm impressed you can do needlepoint on the plane tight space/poor lighting!I suggest you do what my mom does in the car-precut your colors beforehand and you can trim off the ends later.

Thanks guys.

Delta says that you cannot carry scissors, but American says that you cannot carry scissors with pointed tips. I take that to mean that you can carry scissors with rounded tips (they are available). You might want to check with your airline to see if you can carry such scissors.

I too am a fan of needlepoint. I know I can precut the thread but I hear that they won't allow the needle. Is it because it is a needle or that it is a metal needle. Has anyone seen a plastic needlepoint needle? Then it would pass security. I don't know how the flight attendant would feel about seeing you doing the needlepoint. My sister suggested that I wear the needle as a lapel pin.

Go to www.faa.gov/apa/tipbroch.htm to get a complete listing of what is not allowed.

My needles and nose hair scissors were confiscated in December.

I have traveled recently by plane with needlepoint supplies. I had a small pair of nail clippers; the security person broke the 1-inch nail file off, but allowed me to keep the clippers. I chose the clippers as the smallest, least-deadly item I could take that would also cut my embroidery threads. I had one cross-stitch needle; nobody at either end of my trip questioned the needle or even looked at it.<BR><BR>My son also traveled (different trip) with a larger, longer metal needle that was part of a kids craft kit. It was a very blunt needle, but again, nobody even questioned us or asked to look at it (I assume it showed up on the x-ray machine).<BR><BR>I'd say, take your needlepoint stuff, knowing there's a possibility that your needle and/or your nail clippers might be taken.

if you leave enough time for security and they don't allow the needle and scissors then you can always go back and check them through. My friend had one of those giant size designer cans of hairspray for $20 for a friend, and they wouldn't allow it on, so she went back to the check in and they bubble wrapped it and yes, it came tumbling down the luggage ramp at her destination.

LOL, imagining that lonely little can of hairspray! Actually I have been wondering whether there's a minimum size of parcel that can be checked. I travel very light, rarely take more than a carryon, but I miss traveling with my Swiss Army knife and have imagined checking it in a tiny little box all by itself.