And DAYUM she done sung. The Haiku contest is now closed. Thanks for playing – and for giving me something to do on my vacation next week. Winners will be announced at some point – maybe during the week, maybe not. We’ll see. I have to figure out how many more prizes I can come up with. Seriously though – thanks for all the comments. I was worried for a minute that my blog might actually explode, but all seems okay (except, of course, for the ONGOING style sheet problems that just freaking KILL me.)
PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION IF YOU CAN:
If you have flown UNITED AIRLINES domestically within the United States (I’m flying NY to LA), since the whole liquid adventure in London, have you been able to take knitting needles – be specific if you can – on the plane without incident? I have flown American Airlines numerous times (as recently as two weeks ago) and have never had any trouble with my metal Addi Turbos – all sizes – but I’ve never flown United and I’m worried they will have a different policy. THANK YOU!
ETA: I’m fully aware that the TSA has a list of what can and cannot go on the plane – according to the TSA, knitting needles are allowed. I always print out the list from the website just in case. AIRLINES may decide indescrimately what can and cannot go on their planes, just as an overzealous TSA agent can tell you that you can’t take on ABC. I’m looking for information on UNITED only. I’ve flown a million times with my knitting – as recently as two weeks ago – I just haven’t flown United. Also, lately, I’ve had my bags checked at security and AGAIN at the gate. Primarily I think they’re looking for liquids, but you never know. THANKS!
PS – I have 13 rows to go on Seraphim – three more for chart 3 and then the edging. I alternate between enough/not enough yarn about half way through each row. Fun times.
YES – United has let me take them on 4 times since then, no problems. I had a size 2 addi turbo circular and a set of 5 wooden size 1 dpns, and only once they wanted to check if they were really knitting needles, but they still let them on. I flew between Tampa and DC. Have fun!
The policies on domestic flights are not airline dependent. They are set by the Transporation Safety ADministration. They have a website where you can check for the latest rules of allowed and prohibited items. International flights are different.
yeah but still my understanding is if the screener at an airport doesnt want to let you through then they won’t, so its less about the airlines and more about the airport security. They can choose not to let you on with something if they want.
Just took a United flight yesterday and had no problems bringing knitting needles. (circular metal addi’s)
I always carry a copy of the current TSA prohibited/allowed items with me (available at http://www.tsa.gov) just in case a screener hassles me. I’ve never had a problem but I like the idea of being able to show them the regulations if I need to.
i’ve soooo had those times. in case you run out of yarn, would it be at all in any way acceptable to do the last few edging rows in some kinda other yarn, like, “i MEANT to do that!”?
but…you’ll have enough!!!
Flew United from Oregon to NY and back last week and had no problems at any security checkpoint with knitting needles (socks on size 0 circulars in my carry-on).
Yes, I just flew in and out of Orlando this week with a pair of socks magic looped on a Addi size 2’s…not a peep from the TSA. In Aug. I flew to Boston with a hat on a 16″ circular without a problem. Orlando flight was on United, Boston was with US Air.
Good luck with Seraphim. I’m sending you some of my leftover yarn karma.
Have a great trip, Cara.
Best of luck on your trip.
I flew United last weekend and brought on some 2.25mm bamboo dpns and a little pair of scissors without a peep from the airline folks.
I flew United recently and had no problems taking the needles on (Addi Turbos and Natura) but I did have some issues with a cranky flight attendant who made me put them away when we hit a TINY bit of turbulence. The fasten seat belt sign wasn’t even on! Yeah, I’m still bitter.
Haven’t flown recently but hope you have a good experience.
I have never been on a plane so sorrie i’m no help there, but can you please add me to the list for the meet up in NY… Thanx
you know you can call but you also know that to be totally sure just bring a priority mail envelope addressed to yourself either at home or to the vacation destination and drop it in the mailbox if there is one at the airport – I’ve also heard that it depends upon the screener’s mood as well as the airport – also would definitely worry international, but not so much domestic – but, as I said, it’s only hearsay …
safe trip and bring a book as well!
I had no problem last year with an internatioanl flight to Ireland, but when I tried to leave Dublin, they tried to confiscate my size one wooden dps, which you could barely pick your teeth with. I wheedled my way out of it, but was admonished not to be bringing knitting needles on my carry on again (insert wonderful Irish accent)!
Tried to call yesterday to no avail…should have time to call today. You must be packing like crazy and knitting, too!
Have a great vacation, Cara! Safe travels.
Yep, I have flown since the newest restrictions and carried 5 pairs of needles on the plane with me. No problem whatsoever. However, the eye drops are apparently deadly.
I’ve flown United and not had any problems with knitting needles, even metal size 1’s, with which I could probably actually stab someone! Have a fun trip!
When I flew two days after the liquid issues, I was told by the airport that they weren’t allowed. So I just packed my needles.
Hi, Cara! Just got back from a trip on United earlier in the week. No incident with the knitting. I took socks on bamboo needles and put my knitting inside my little carry on. Had one very small metal crochet hook. From reading the TSA stuff it seems that too many metal needles, or circulars with very long cables might set them off. The latter could, I suppose be used to choke someone. Nevermind shoe laces, belts, etc.
I know the TSA is trying to protect the public saftey. Just wish the rules were a little more logical and consistent. Go early and take a big padded envelope to mail your stuff to yourself if necessary. Have a wonderful vacation!
Yep, I was able to bring knitting needles on my flight 2 weeks ago on United, to and from LA. I brought some size 1 bamboo DPNs and some size 9 metal circulars. No problems at all.
Yeah, no problems for me on United.
Soooo, you are coming to LA? I know a couple of gals from my knitting group would love to meet you. We are in Long Beach, CA. We meet on Wednesdays, although I will be taking a cooking class this Wednesday. Still, I’d love to meet you. Take care Cara and L’Shanah Tovah, a little late.
I flew from San Francisco to Chicago with a layover in Las Vegas with no problems. I always carry lots of metal dpns in sizes 0-2.
One time, pre-liquid incident, a United flight attendant would not allow me knit with my pointy dpns during take-off and landing. I wish I’d had a book as backup.
I’ve never had a problem with the attendants. But, I’ve only brought the Denise needles. I put the endcaps on my project when going through security, then once on the plane, I’ll snap on my needle points. Other passengers haven’t seemed to be bothered.
I flew United the weekend the whole deal started. Couldn’t take my water, my toothpaste, my gel deodorant, or my lip gloss, but the yarn and US 2 circular needles were fine. Weird.
I haven’t flown in the US, but I did fly from Toronto to London (UK) and back this month and brought bamboo DPNs with no trouble whatsoever. I even knitted in the interminable immigration line at Heathrow and drove the ladies wild with jealousy 😉
I took United just after that whole thing (it was the same day that one plane crashed — yikes!) — and flew from Chicago to Savannah, GA. Both ways I took on knitting needles, but they were Brittany birch dp’s (size US4 — you said to be specific!) No trouble whatsoever, but they were wood, so they probably went undetected through security.
Howdy, Cara. Haven’t flown for some time, but I’m scrutinizing the answers in prep for flying next weekend. Alas, after 7 hours of travelling, I couldn’t eek out a haiku to save my life. Sounds like you have enough to pick through all the same – enjoy!
So great to talk to you yesterday – glad you sat down (and so glad you couldn’t read my initial mental reaction of “why in the heck is that lady taking up the seat next to me when there are a gazillion other empty rows on this train?” – did I mention I was a grumpy traveller?). Thanks for the encouragement and tips on the sock – I’m past the gusset WITH NO HOLES thanks to the extra st and dec, and I’m onto the foot. I’m hooked – I LOVE the jaywalkers and can’t wait to make some for myself.
Happy travels, and hope to run into you again soon.
I would recommend wooden needles above metal any time you’re going to be flying. I have never been questioned about wooden ones, but plastic and metal seem to be a problem. The other thing to be aware of is that United has horrible customer service if your bags are ever lost. Not just me, there are whole WEBSITES devoted to people who hate United’s service. Apparently they do not treat their employees well either, but I’ve not heard any of it firsthand. I guess, just don’t pack anything really valuable or that you would hate to lose!
I flew United at the beginning of the month and there was no problem with the needles. As always, it’s up to the security screeners, who are independent of the airlines, to approve or deny your knitting needles. When I had my bag searched (in Pittsburgh, I think), I had very sharp bamboo DPNs in it as well as metal circulars and my Chibi with needles in it, and the screener didn’t even bat an eye – she paid more attention the bottles of tylenol/ibuprofen and children’s tylenol (liquid, but allowed per the TSA).
Have a good trip!
I won’t fill your comments more United/knitting needle affirmatives but I will say that scissors can still be a problem. TSA rules state that you can take scissors in your carry-on if the blades are under 4 inches. However, my beautiful embroidery scissors were confiscated about six weeks ago. The total length was less than 4″. During the last year, I’ve been traveling extensively for my job and had successfully carried them until just after the London incident. So bring cheap scissors if you want to be on the safe side. I’m kinda wondering if the agent herself may have a new pair of embroidery scissors. Maybe it’s just the bitterness talking.
Well crap, I was putting it off because I thought I had a week left to do it! Guess I’m one of the three people on the internet who hadn’t entered. Serves me right for procrastinating!
I haven’t flown United but I’ve flown quite a bit since the whole liquid incident and I have always had my bad of knitting complete with several sets of needles and even some blunt scissors. Enjoy!
I have to say thank you to all whom have posted here and thank you Google for leading me here! We are taking a trip to Playa del Carmen and fly from SFO to Miami then Cancun (via American Air) and I was nervous about bringing Addi’s. I’m trying to prepare “travel projects” and find myself wringing my hands over whether or not I want to risk my Addi’s. I’ve been pulled to the “special” line once on both legs of my journey. I still may err on caution and pack only bamboo circs but it’s nice to know so many folks have had no issues.
Thanks!
andie