Hi, I know we are not allowed to bring scissors on board in our carryons. But, you can bring nail clippers now and yarns can be cut with these. There are also new yarn cutters that couldn't harm a human unless you swallowed one. My questio is what about needles---little size 24 blunt end tapestry needles that would have a tough time going through human skin. Has anyone flown with needlpoint recently? I'm flying this weekend on UA and it surely would make the time pass productively instead of the stupid movie. Don't tell me just to read, my trip is a good two books plus worth. Thanks to any and all.

Take them, if they get confiscated have something else at the ready.

I flew on United in October, and while they broke the tiny file off my nail clippers, they let me take the nail clippers and didn't say anything at all about the cross-stitch needle.

I'm a flight attendant for American and often see passengers with knitting needle on board. Though it makes the flight crew a little wary the FAA says it's ok. As a suggestion, I have seen a few PAX with plastic knitting needles. The most important thing to remember is that if someone from security tries to confiscate them just allow them to do so. You can register a complaint with the airline/security company after the fact, but you have to remember these people think they're doing this for your safety and the safety of others. Plus it may cause a bit of a delay at the check points and if other PAX witness you arguing with security they're going think you're the jerk. I see it all the time.

Elizabeth: Just curious, what about diabetics or others who have to inject themselves? How does the FAA regulate these types of needles - which would have a far greater capability of being used as a weapon - injecting someone with a lethal substance.

Until the very recent "unauthorized list" update diabetics and other PAX who needed injectibles were required to have a note from a physician. Now they just need proof that the treatment is necessary, I don't know what that proof may be, possibly a perscription? I won't dipute the possibility of an injectible being used as a weapon, but how do you question someone who says they need medication? The ACLU would have a field day.

I was just wondering. Hadn't really thought about it until reading through this post.

Actually, needles that are used by diabetics are tiny - very short and thin. I guess someone could inject somebody with something, but since you can not get into cockpit these days, it does not seem a reasonable thing to worry about. Almost anything could be used as a weapon, but the prescription label/wrapper from box of syringes and needles, as long as it was in passenger's name would seem to be fine.

I think it's funny, Gails comment about not being able to enter the cockpit so it doesn't reason to worry if syringes are used as weapons. I know the pilots are safe, but what about me, the flight attendant? :}

Oh elizabeth, just like us passengers, you don't count either!

It still amazes me what they confiscate. Passengers are not going to sit by while a terrorist uses nail clippers to take over the plane like they once did. Passengers fly with a new attitude these days. Security should be looking for knives, guns and explosives.

No disrespect meant to flight attendants by my reply. Please note that I mentioned, and will reaffirm, that anything can be used as a weapon if you really think about it, but insulin syringes carry needles so small that I could probably list 100 things in 2 minutes more likely to cause flight attendants (who I agree are totally unprotected in all this) harm. (And I will be on 4 flights in the next 3 days and am still wondering if I can bring my blunt needlepoint needle).

No mater what we say on these boards, this particular item is a "gray area" and you will be at the mercy of the airport security personnel wherever your are. If they have any sense, they'll see that it's too blunt to be dangerous. Just give it up if they demand it. And take a few spares in the checked luggage!

Kam,
I just asked this question last weekend at my local needlepoint shop since I will also be flying with a project this weekend. They said that customers have been putting the needles in their wallets and they had not heard of anyone being stopped for them. That is what I am going to try. I bought one of thethread cutters, which looks like a small brass wheel. I didn't want my needlepoint scissors to be confiscated since they belonged to my grandmother. I hadn't thought about using nail clippers.

Be careful what you try to "hide" in any item you take through security. I'm unfamiliar with the items in question but if it's something security would try to confiscate you could end up sending off a bunch of red flags. In the long run this could cause a lot more inconveinence than simply buying new needles at your destination. Basically, don't sneak, be nice and honost with the security people, and thank your flight attendant for a wonderful service!

Elizabeth, the point is not to have the needles at your destination---that would be simple. The point is can we stitch on the planes?. Those of us who do needlepoint find it as relaxing if not more so than reading a good book. I can usually look forward to two hours of stitching from California to Chicago, but if they confiscate my needle then I'm really stuck with the lousy movie. BTW, needlepoint needles are less sharp than sewing needles or the ones you might use to sew up your Thanksgiving turkey. I'm going to give it a try tonight and see what happens. I will not try to "hide" them nor will I resist if they take them away from me, but someone should clarify the rules. Is it no longer possible to fly with a sewing kit to repair torn clothes? And, yes, there is a lot of damage that could be done with insulin syringes and a multidose bottle of "insulin"----maybe a terrorist couldn't reach the pilot but could hold a flight attendant hostage or another passenger. Who would know if the multidose bottle of insulin was drained and replaced with something more lethal? Point of all of this is that there really is no perfect security. I wish I had a solution, unfortunately, I can't see on.