Carrying a trowel on board
Jun 22, 2003, 3:12 pm
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
Carrying a trowel on board
I have a plastic trowel, about 10" long with the "business end" about 6" of that. Being plastic, it would not stand up to extensive use in gardening, but is intended for use by hikers to dig "catholes" in the woods for solid human waste. Its pointy end, while not as dangerous as a metal one, is sharp enough to inflict injury.
Does anyone know if this would get through security? (I hate to check bagagge when I don't have to for some other reason.)
Does anyone know if this would get through security? (I hate to check bagagge when I don't have to for some other reason.)
Jun 22, 2003, 3:35 pm
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
If it's plastic they probably won't even see it. They are looking for shoes and corkscrews. Plastic trowels will proably not even be looked at.
If they were to see it, they may consider it a tool, and while the list for tools doesn't specificaily include shovels, it does say no to almost everything else.
If they were to see it, they may consider it a tool, and while the list for tools doesn't specificaily include shovels, it does say no to almost everything else.
Jun 23, 2003, 10:03 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Boston; AA EXP
Posts: 264
i have a plastic nut cracker that i bring with me to unscrew shower heads at crappy hotels so that i can remove the water limiters - i used to bring a wrench with me but no more. i don't volunteer that i have it but it does not seem to show up on x-ray and i've never had a problem.
Jun 27, 2003, 11:45 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Programs: NW Platinum, Hilton Silver, 3 stays from Starwood Platinum!
Posts: 771
I was in Boston last month, and bought a "shovel" in Chinatown. It is a 20" spatula-like metal kitchen utensil used in Chinese restaurants. No sharp edges or points. They made me check my luggage with the shovel. It could be used as a weapon, I was told. I also bought two professional stainless steel fryer baskets (each 26" long and 7 pounds). They let me take these as carry-on; I used a black garbage bag to conceal them.
I think I could do more harm with the fryer baskets, but they didn't fit in my suitcase, so I'm glad I got to carry them on the plane.
As your trowel is plastic, I think you're safe as long as they don't see it. Don't pack it with any metal, in case they decide to inspect the metal. Good Luck!
Linda
I think I could do more harm with the fryer baskets, but they didn't fit in my suitcase, so I'm glad I got to carry them on the plane.
As your trowel is plastic, I think you're safe as long as they don't see it. Don't pack it with any metal, in case they decide to inspect the metal. Good Luck!
Linda