Is it okay to take a swiss army knife into Greece, Italy and France?

Why not? They like Swiss just fine there <BR>It WILL pass thorough the customs, if that's what you're asking.

Well, it may or may not, depending on the security person whom you deal with. My husband's Swiss Army knife has gotten through security most of the time, but not all of the time. When it hasn't, they have packed it up and we've had to wait for it in a special package in the baggage line (usually long after all the other "normal" luggage has arrived. Same with my Laguiole picnic knife, which is just a bit longer than the average Swiss Army knife. Bottom line: you'll get it and can use it in Europe, but you may wait an extra 20 minutes at baggage carrousel to retrieve it.

I've heard you can not take it in your carry on luggage (it's considered a weapon)? It was a gift, so I really don't want it permanently taken. A 20 minute wait is no problem.

Definitely no Swiss Army knives in carryons. No knives or blades of any type, not even nail files or clippers. <BR> <BR>BUT no extra wait at the other end if you put it in your checked luggage in the first place. I think StCirq's extra wait was probably because the item was checked thru separately after being taken out of a carryon?

No problem just put it in your checked bagage. We have just repacked for our trip to New England and moved all knifes, nail files etc to our checked bags.

Bob~ <BR> <BR>With all that's happened, you're going to ignore what airport security has said and pack knives anyway? Do you think the rules don't apply to you? What part of no knives or nail files don't you understand?

Cousin Oliver, the restrictions apply to carry on luggage. What harm could a nail clipper do in checked luggage? No one can get it during the flight. I don't think there are any new restrictions on checked luggage, anybody?

Here's another question: are straight razors going to pass security checkpoints? You can do a lot of damage with a razor blade. Am I going to have to check a suitcase just so that my razor isn't carried in my overnight bag?

Anon, here is the quote from the FAA faq page: "Can I carry my pocket knife on board? No knives or cutting instruments of any size or material will be allowed in the aircraft cabin. Knives may be transported only in checked baggage. Airlines will no longer provide steak knives for on-board food service." <BR>http://www.faa.gov/apa/faq/pr_faq.htm <BR> <BR>

Calm down, everyone. <BR> <BR>If you take a look at the original question, it was posted by chance just about exactly 24 hours BEFORE the first plane hit the WTC last Tuesday. Last night,shortly before midnight, someone searched it out and brought it back to the top with a comment that quite understandably has been deleted from this thread. <BR> <BR>Please don't be provoked by its reappearance--and please join me in thanking Fodors for its increased vigilance and for deleting only an offensive post rather than an entire thread.

Yep, you now have to check your razor and I have to check my nail clippers. Either that or just don't take them.

Regardless of the time the original message was posted (thanks for pointing that out Escritoria), this is an important issue. I plan to even check items not specifically mentioned, such as screw drivers. I think it is the responsible thing to do right now. Why cause unnecessary delays for yourself and others or cause undue alarm for security personnel? Make it easier for them to do their jobs.

UH NO IT WON'T! What are you people telling this poor women. I just got back from Paris yesterday. I have the American equivelent of this (leatherman). It was on my checked luggage which was torn apart (very neatly, but opened just the same) and was questioned thoroughly concerning having such an item in view of the climate. I had to explain that I always carry such an item plus a small flashlight when traveling abroad in case of quick fixes ( I'm a radio engineer and left for Paris on 09/10/01). Although I was allowed to keep it (was ready to throw in trash if requested) I felt like a real idiot for even thinking to bring it back with me. So please don't bring anything like that on your flight. If you must have something like that on your travels buy one over there you can throw away on your return trip.

Just for the record, I won't be packing my picnic knife in the future. And just for the record, in the past no one at at American airport has ever questioned it - the only place it has ever been questioned and taken away is on a return flight from Europe, where security has always been superior to that in the USA. Belgian officials confiscated a plastic baseball bat and ball from my son two years ago. At the time I thought that was really extreme - now it's just fine with me. <BR>

My understanding is that checked luggage can hold things like corkscrews and Swiss Army knives (I intend to pack them in a plastic ziplock bag on TOP of the suitcase, so when they show up on radar and the suitcase is searched, it'll make it as easy as possible for the security personnel). <BR> <BR>Does anybody know the answer to this: no metal knives for customers in the airport concessions, but what about the KITCHENS for the restaurants, etc. in the airport? Chefs HAVE to have big, sharp knives to prepare food. Are those being banned? If not, couldn't they be even more lethal than a butter knife?

Elvira, you make an excellent point about placing the corkscrew etc on top of the checked bags. I figure if they do catch an knife or razor in the checked bags you will be flagged to have your luggage gone through. I'm guessing they will do that without your presence, before the bags are put on the plane. We were planning on buying a set of Langolile (sp?) knives in Paris in November, we're not going to do that now.

Lori, <BR> <BR>Couldn't you just mail the knives home?

In 1963 I bought 2 Swiss Army Knives in Luzern Switzerland on my first trip to Europe. Since then I have never taken a trip without one of those knives. They have been all over the world with me and not once have I been questioned by security about them, anywhere. On my last trip to Europe I used my Swiss Army knife to fix my broken camera, to take a sliver out of my wife's finger, to open bottles and to cut the bread and cheese for our picnic. I also use it for many other things. <BR>Now my knife will have to stay home and be retired. <BR>I know this is a very small thing. But there terrorists are really starting to piss me off and I'm getting depressed.

Bonjour Elvira. I would respectfully suggest you don't pack a knife of any sort on your bags. Checked or not. As I said earlier I have a knife/tool called a leatherman which is the American equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. It can be very disconcerting to be singled out and pulled aside (as I was) because of this need. And yes, you can have them ship them to your home (cooking knives). It may cost a little extra but considering the circumstances I think it is worth the added expense.