Originally Posted by
TN_traveler
No, I'm not talking about a way to sneak something on board. I read the list of TSA-approved items, and everything on my Leatherman multi-tool would pass muster except for the knife blade. I didn't want to deface my Leatherman, so I took a cheap knock-off copy that had a promotional logo on it, broke the knife blade off at the base, and have flown with it several times know.
I usually put it in the bin with my shoes, and it gets extra attention, but have had screeners accept it once they verify the knife blade is missing. That way I have my pliers & screwdriver in case I need to MacGuyver my way through swapping a hard drive or opening non-twistoff beer bottle caps.
The Leatherman Wingman is perfect to test this theory with. You can take the blade off by simply removing the allen screws that hold it in place. Replace the allen screws and you are good to go. My brother is a TSA officer, and he claims that after seeing that the tool had no blade in it he would let it go provided he wasn't given different instructions by his superiors. Keep in mind that even with the blade missing it is ultimately up to the officer (and that officer's superiors) you are dealing with as to whether or not you can take it or not. They are required to allow you other options as to what to do with the item if they choose not to let it go. Those options might be to put it in checked baggage, put it back in your car, mail it etc. They are not allowed to confiscate items. They are only allowed to dispose of items surrendered to them. If it is confiscated another form of law enforcement did it. IE you decide to bring in a machette and the police confiscate it right after they put you in handcuffs. My brother tells me that he wishes that they were allowed to keep the items that they have to remove from the check point. The truth is that they are not allowed to cary a pocket knife on them either.
Anyway suggestion would be take the blade off of a wingman using the simple method above. Give yourself plenty of time to get through security, (and ample time to find another option should you find yourself in a situation where some terrorist threatens to take over the airplane with a screwdriver and a one inch pair of scisors) Put the wingman by itself and without being a, something that starts with a D and ends with a K, point out that the blade has been removed. Be respectful the entire time and it is likely that you will breeze right through.