by John Kruse, March 28, 2005

I took a plane trip to Canada’s Northwest Territories to go fishing with my Dad last summer and soon found out that the rules for air travel have really changed in our post-9/11 world..

My example was not only frustrating, but likely typical for infrequent flyers such as myself. Now, I know not to bring any guns, knives or scissors on board an airplane. That’s probably why I chuckled a little when my father got sent back from the security checkpoint at Sea-Tac airport for having a pair of scissors in his carry on luggage. My laughter abruptly ended when I got turned back a minute later for having a pair of needle nose pliers in my carry on bag. The security person pointed to a sign that indicated no “tools” are allowed on the plane. I was envisioning how my pliers were going to be a security risk. I could only picture a hijacker clamping onto the pilot’s nose and saying, “Fly me to Havana or I’ll squeeze the handles.” The security people didn’t look like they would appreciate the joke so I kept it to myself as I went to the back of the line.

On board the plane, I joked with my Dad that it was strange that I couldn’t take a pair of pliers on board but it was okay to bring some huge Pike Spoons with some very sharp treble hooks. “Now that“, I sniggered, “could do some damage to a flight crew..”

Unfortunately for me, the Canadian authorities in Vancouver felt the same way. I was sent to the back of the line by their security personnel and made to put these lures into my checked baggage. Running to my departure gate to avoid missing a connecting flight, I found the humor had gone out of the situation.

Returning home, I did a little research on what you should not put in your carry on luggage: Here’s a few things you may want to leave at home:

Lighters, or containers with chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, spray paint and compressed gas are not allowed on board the plane period. The same goes for anything that is explosive or flammable, to include flares, gasoline, or fireworks. If you are going into Canada, you can also not take pepper spray, commonly used as a bear repellent, whether flying or driving - though you are welcome to purchase some once you are in the country.

Firearms are a huge no-no in Canada under most circumstances. If you are going on a hunting trip - contact the Canadian Customs Authorities first . If you are flying in the states with a firearm, it must be unloaded, put in a locked hard-sided gun case and placed in your checked baggage. You must also let the people at the check in counter know that its there. Ammunition to go with the gun may or may not be allowed by the airline your are flying with or the country you are going to. Check first.



As far as your carry on baggage goes, leave anything sharp out of there. This includes not only the obvious knives and scissors, but also things like razor blades or ice axes for you mountain climbers. Some other things are less obvious but also not allowed. Tools covers everything from screwdrivers to pliers and you’ll find you can’t bring our baseball bat, ski poles or baseball bats on board with you either. All of these items will have to go as checked baggage, along with things like bows and arrows, spear guns and golf clubs.

That should give you a good idea of what to check in or leave at home next time you fly our safe and friendly skies. If you want to find out more, log onto www.tsa.gov, the Transportation Security Administration web site.