What is Status of Nail Clippers As Carry-On Item?
 

Are nail clippers still being banned from carry-on items? Any experiences?

Why are you asking? Are you terrified of being parted from your nail clippers?

Sorry, I have no idea what the answer is, I'm just concerned that it's something you need to query. Why?!?!

So GAC can pack them in checked luggage instead have losing them at a security check.

Sorry, GAC, I don't know the answer.

Hi GAC, the last time I flew which was about a month ago, I could take on nail clippers, but just the little contraption kind, not the scissors kind.

The girl took my tweezers out because they had a handle like scissors do, go to 99cent store and get a cheap contraption you won't mind losing.

They have not been banned for a long time, and never were banned for that long (and even in the beginning, I think that was not universal).

Take clippers that are just clippers without any other attachments (e.g. curved/pointy nail file, scissors etc) and you should be ok.

Straight from the horse's mouth:

http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlib...12_18_2003.pdf

That is a legitimate question given the heightened security over everything these days...my boss had his hair clippers/scissors removed from his toiletries bag 2 years ago. I have been fortunate the last 2 trips (UA/Lufthansa) to bring along standard nail clippers (the large size, with nail file attached) and they have not been taken. I usually put the nail clipper in a small plastic baggie along with my Q-tips. Last week on my return trip home from Italy, Lufthansa noticed them on the screen and asked me what it was and I told them. I didn't have to open the bag or remove them, but they did notice them! You should be fine bringing a pair along. If you feel more comfortable, tuck them in a pair of socks and put them in your suitcase (mine were in my purse, inside my toiletries bag there).

We bring them in our carry-on so that we can cut the wire ties that we use instead of locks.

Bad day, Tallulah?

http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlib...12_18_2003.pdf

But, be aware that some airports STILL aren't using the current allowed/prohibited list (Newark for example), and will confiscate items that are NOT on the prohibited list.

Almost forgot, the latest list is:
http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlib..._8_23_2004.pdf

Well... I accidentally had a large corkscrew (with knife for foil) in my carry on and no mention of it was made.

Incidentally, you can buy razor blade beyond security at all UK airports.

janeg, you could put the clippers in an outer zipped pocket of your checked luggage (and don't put a cable tie on that pocket).

But we look so jaunty sprouting six fluorescent orange for me, fluorescent green for him wire ties, I hate to give any up.

Ten flights this year with nail clippers in carry-on all the way. Not a blink from TSA. I need the clippers to snip off the wire tires locking my checked piece, when I have one. I also slip a small knife in a side pocket of my checked piece, under the eyes of the TSA inspector.

Someone I know took clippers in their carry-on and security snapped off the tiny attached nail file on them and then gave them back!

Yep, me too, I put the nail clippers in my backpack carryon and had no problems. I needed it to snip off the cable ties from my luggage when I arrived in Paris.

I have a very expensive (very good) set of nail clippers--very short blades but very pointy. I had left them in my pocketbook by mistake. They saw them and conferred about them--all the while me BEGging them not to take them. They were allowed. That was about 2 years ago now.

If you mean the type of nail clipper that looks somewhat like a steel clothes peg with a rather blunt, nail-shaped cutting edge, these will probably pass.

If you mean small nail scissors, I accidentally left mine in on the return flight VIE - LHR; security missed them, and then unfortunately I still forgot to repack them in my checked bag. So when the time came to leave London they were confiscated at LHR. The scissors weren't an expensive item but I was embarrassed for having put security through the time and trouble of removing them.

Apparently they've now got thousands of pairs. LHR workers must have the best manicured nails on the planet. :)

Hi GAC,

We were allowed to keep nail clippers in our carryon last April.

We use them to open the cable ties on our checked baggage.

Yes, that is what I meant too, the odd contraption kind, that looks a little like a metal cricket, is ok.

Go to TSA web page and you will know what you can and what you can't!

The poster above is right about Newark, they seem to have their own rules. Why is it that what is OK at one airport isn't at another? We seem to be operating under a mixed set of rules. At one airport you can wear your shoes thru, at another you can't. At one I can get thru with my watch on and at another I can't. It doesn't make sense.

As far as the nail clippers go, stick the stupid things in you luggage and bite your nail on the plane.

I can't think of anything worse than a person who decides to clip their nails on a plane or anywhere else in public.

What if i decided to trim my nose hairs or maybe floss my teeth while sitting in my seat?

Please do you grooming in the privacy of your own home!

richardab,

You are jumping to conclusions...thinking that they want to use the clippers fopr grooming.

I'm with Ira on this one.
I always carry nail clippers (toe nail clippers, actually). I bought them exclusively to use to cut plastic cable ties on my luggage.

"What if i decided to trim my nose hairs or maybe floss my teeth while sitting in my seat?"

an upgrade from the person I sat next to on a Detroit to L.A. flight last week, but still something I'd rather not see.
((H))

Oh! sorry about that. I usually bite those security things off with my teeth.

I still think it rude when someone grooms in public. This includes excessive hair brushing, nail clipping, putting on make up, cleaning contact lenses, eye dropping and ear picking.

Applying chapstick, hand cream and nose picking is OK.