If you’ve traveled on an airplane in the last few years, you’ve suffered through the debagging and the disrobing shuffle past the screening operator and security people. You step hesitantly forward through the metal detector hoping the alarm doesn’t go off. Did you remember to leave your multi-tool at home or put your multi-tool in your checked luggage? It’s not clipped on your pocket is it?
If you want to continue your life as a Multi-Tool MacGyver at your destination, you’re going to need to decide how to fly with your multi-tool.
CAN I pack my multi-tool in the luggage I check in? Is a multi tool considered a weapon? Is it legal to carry a multi tool?
The answer is yes. The TSA and most airlines have a policy on carrying sharp objects in your luggage. A multi-tool is a sharp object or at least contains tools that are sharp – knife (hopefully it’s sharp!), awl, saw, flathead screwdrivers, cable cutters – you can probably think of others.
There are no restrictions on carrying your multi-tool in your luggage that you check in but you have to make sure it’s protected or wrapped so that it’s not going to harm baggage handlers or security staff handling your bags. You can just wrap it in some clothing you have or put it in your toiletry bag. If you have a sheath for it, put it in that.
Does every multi-tool HAVE to be checked in?
No, it depends on the tools in your multi-tool. If your multi-tool has a blade, then you’re going to need to check it in. You’re also going to need to check it in if it has a pair of scissors that have blades longer than 4 inches (10 cms). The TSA measure blade length from the scissor pivot to the tip. Most multi-tool scissors will be OK because they aren’t that big.
SHOULD I check-in my multi-tool?
We’ve looked at when your multi-tool won’t pass through airport security screening. But if it’s technically OK to carry onto the plane, SHOULD you take it through security? That’s an entirely different question!
Firstly, don’t forget the only type of multi-tool you’ve got a chance of getting onto the plane is one that doesn’t have a blade. So the things you’re going to be able to do with your multi-tool are reduced by the loss of one of the main tools of most multi-tools.
The other thing is, if you want your multi-tool with a knife when you get to your destination, you’re going to pack that in your checked in luggage. So all you need a TSA compliant multi-tool for is the time from check-in to the time you pick up your luggage off the carousel at your destination.
Everyone forgets the 7 inch rule.
You’ve got the idea now – nothing sharp or pointy can be carried on board. Blades are out, scissors more than 4 inches are out. But everyone forgets about the total length.
TSA won’t allow you to take a multi-tool (any tool for that matter) on board that at its full extension is greater than 7 inches. Not a problem you think because you’re thinking of your multi-tool folded. That’s not the test. Unfold your multi-tool and measure it. To give you an idea, a Leatherman Surge, SOG PowerAssist or Gerber Center Drive is just under 7 inches but a Leatherman MUT is over 7 inches. Doesn’t really matter though about any of those multi-tools because they all fail the pointy object test with their knives. This is more about you remembering that even if your multi-tool doesn’t have a knife, you still won’t be able to take it on board if it’s longer than 7 inches.
Right, you understand the limitations of a bladeless multi-tool. But you feel naked and unprepared to handle any situation so you want to take your bladeless and under 7 inch extended multi-tool through security screening.
“It’s legal so why are you confiscating it?”
You’ve placed what you know is a TSA compliant multi-tool into the tray to go through screening. You know it’s complaint because you checked the TSA website last night. You get through the metal detector and see a security guy has your multi-tool in his hand and is frowning. Here we go……
This actually happens. Even though your multi-tool doesn’t have a blade and is TSA compliant, security has the last say. They are responsible for the safety of all passengers and decide whether they want to confiscate your multi-tool or not. You could quote the TSA regulations at security or even have a copy of the regulations with you. You could ask for a supervisor to try to argue your case but ultimately it doesn’t matter. They can just decide your multi-tool isn’t safe to be carried on board a plane.
Watch out for the airline companies own policies on sharp objects – they could be stricter than TSA
So the TSA rules are clear but they aren’t uniformly applied by the uniforms (our friendly security professionals). On top of that, you have to consider what the airline’s own policies are about carrying sharp objects. They can be more strict (they can’t be less strict can they?) than the TSA rules. If you want to take your bladeless multi-tool, have a search around the airline’s website for their policies. Or get on the phone and give them a call. And don’t assume that because you checked the policy the last time you flew with this airline that it’s still the same, the policies change with the changing world we live in.
Give yourself the BEST chance of getting your compliant multi-tool on board.
You know the TSA policy on prohibited and allowed items for airline flights and you’ve checked the latest version of your airline’s sharp objects policy. You know the multi-tool you’re approaching the security screening is compliant with those policies.
To give yourself the best chance of keeping it, take out your multi-tool and open it up. Spread out all the tools so that all of them can easily be seen – like you see manufacturers do when they are advertising their stuff. Put it on a separate tray by itself. When it’s going through the x-ray, tell the screening operator that it has no knife.
If you’re questioned about it, you can say that it is compliant with TSA policy. If they are going to confiscate it, don’t argue too much. What you can try to do is ask them if you can send it to yourself. If you’re prepared, you can carry a self-addressed padded envelope with you to drop your multi-tool in. Then ask security if you can post it. If you haven’t come prepared, sometimes you will be allowed to go and buy supplies to be able to post it. It’s worth a try rather than just giving it up.
The golden rule I follow is – I won’t try to take any multi-tool through security that I’m not prepared to be confiscated. So that Leatherman PST your father gave you for your 18th birthday 20 years ago isn’t something you want to bring to the airport. It’s just too risky.
Where do I FIND a TSA compliant multi-tool?
There are a few multi-tools on the market that you should be able to get through the screening process. I wrote an article on the best 5 bladeless multi-tools that will get you started. Personally, I think if you can’t carry your multi-tool with a blade on board, then at least carry a multi-tool with a pair of scissors. If you need to cut a luggage tag off or open a sealed bag or need a box cutter, at least you have a sharp edge to get the job done. Check out the Leatherman Style PS, Gerber Dime Travel, Gerber P600 Bladeless or even the Victorinox Jetsetter (it’s a Pocket Knife without a knife (doesn’t that just make it a Pocket?)). All these have a small set of scissors.
Without scissors or a blade, you lose a lot of functionality – to the point where you have to ask yourself whether you could do without carrying any multi-tool at all. Can you just wait until you can get your full function multi-tool out of your checked-in luggage when you get to your destination?
How about a one-piece multi-tool or a credit card multi-tool as an alternative?
You can’t take a knife or anything sharp or pointy but what about a one-piece multi-tool or a credit card multi-tool you can slip into your wallet. No, they aren’t as functional as a multi-tool but some of them would give a travel-friendly multi-tool a run for their money. Some people are taking a Gerber Shard but don’t limit your search to just one, I’ve pulled together a list of 136 of the best credit card and one piece multi-tools. I’m sure you can find one there that will be useful when you’re traveling.
Flying to another country with a multi-tool
You’ve figured out the rules on carrying your multi-tool on a plane. You want to take your multi-tool with a blade so you’ve checked it in with your baggage. Done. But what about if you’re traveling outside the US. What do other countries think about you bringing a knife in and out of their country? Can you carry your multi-tool around clipped to your pocket while you go sightseeing? What if you just kept it in your backpack out of sight?
Not all countries are as liberal about carrying a knife in public as the US. If you aren’t sure about the knife carry laws in the country you are visiting, you need to find out. You don’t want to pull out your multi-tool knife to cut a loose thread off your clothes and find yourself with a big fine or arrested! For example, don’t bring your Rike Knife Slingshot Multi-Tool with you to Australia. Slingshots are illegal so it will be confiscated and you could be fined.
The TSA sharp objects policy
The TSA is always changing the allowable items you can take on board. Check out the TSA policy here
I’d love to hear your story of going flying with a multi-tool. Did you have a good or bad experience? Let me know in the comments below.
Multi-tools – don’t leave home without one (unless you’re flying!)
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