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NYT: When Your Job Means Traveling with sharp objects
January 10, 2012
The Knife in the Carry-On
For most business travelers, the post-Sept. 11 restrictions on carrying sharp objects onto planes are minor inconveniences. But for those who work in an industry focused on sharp or dangerous objects, business trips can be prone to problems without proper planning.
Transportation Security Administration rules do allow scissors with blades under four inches long in carry-on bags, but they still may not make it through security. Robert Matt, owner of Robert Matt Salon in West Hollywood and Palm Springs, Calif., can attest to the randomness ofsecurity checks after an encounter in 2007, when scissors worth severalhundred dollars were seized.
“You really don’t know what you’re going to be up against and what it’s based on,” Mr. Matt said of the security checkpoints. “You want to insist on your position, but yet at the same time, it’s just like talking to any law enforcement. You can aggravate the situation.”
Packing scissors in a checked bag can lead to a different sort of problem, he said, recalling that he had to borrow scissors for a New York photo shoot in 2006 when his luggage was delayed.
Brad Masterson, communications manager for the Professional Beauty Association, an organization in Scottsdale, Ariz., that represents salons, spas, distributors and manufacturers, said the airplane securityrequirements could cause problems for association members who travel for photo shoots, trade shows, fashion runway events and educational seminars. “Scissors are really a livelihood tool for hairstylists,” he said, with even basic shears costing $500. And trips for “makeup artistsare even worse,” he said, “because they have powders and liquids, a whole kit of styling tools, which would require being checked.”
Greg Soule, a T.S.A. spokesman, said a rule change in December 2005 allowed select scissors in carry-on bags, along with other sharp objectslike screwdrivers. “The decision to allow small scissors was a risk-based decision,” he said, “that allows us to focus more on dangerous items as opposed to taking items that are less of a risk.”
Since Sept. 11, he said, cockpit doors have been hardened, the number offederal air marshals increased and “a more aware flying public” have combined to make flight takeovers from sharp objects unlikely. Still, hesaid, “all knives are still prohibited,” in carry-on bags. “When in doubt, check it or ship it ahead of time,” he said, adding that the T.S.A. had a smartphone application with a “ ‘Can I bring it’ function.”He also recommended using T.S.A.-approved locks for luggage.
Even so, some business travelers have been able to bring knives in carry-on luggage. Rey Benavidez, a chef, said he traveled between San Francisco and New York four to six times a month. “Technically, the knives are not allowed,” Mr. Benavidez said, “but because they are in mychef knife kit, they know it is part of my profession.” He said it helped to wear his chef jacket and be friendly with the T.S.A. employees.
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