I just went through security at Denver on 2/24. I got selected for the secondary search at the main checkpoint. I travel on business once every two weeks and never put my wallet through the x-ray machine. The screener that wanded me asked me to remove my wallet from my pocket and then proceeded to give it a thorough search (in my presence fortunately). I asked what that was about as I have been through the secondary search many times but never had my wallet searched before. He replied that another passenger had recently been caught with a plastic knife in his wallet so he was now searching all wallets. I don't know if I got one over zealous security man (which I suspect) or this is now becoming a standard procedure. If they now start worrying about plastic knifes, how will they justify plastic knifes with the few remaining on-board meals?

You've got to be kidding!

Most definitely NOT standard procedure. Most TSA agents I've seen ask travellers to keep wallets with them (as opposed to putting them through x-ray); I've occasionally seen requests to look inside wallets, but have never been subjected to a wallet search (nor would I comply, I suspect).

-Zombie-

I've had my wallet searched by TSA not once but twice. One of the TSA folks even pulled each credit card out and peered at both sides...even having the gall to ask what some of them were used for.
So, in my experience, not an unusual occurrence.

I know what the response to this is going to be, but I'll put it out there anyway.

The folks who make the Swiss Army knife, also make a Swiss Army card. Looks like a normal credit card, but has prohibited items installed. They are not permitted past the checkpoint.

To my knowledge, plastic knives are not prohibited.

Keep your money in your pocket, and send your wallet thru the xray. Baada Bing

Will the x-ray machine be able to spot a plastic knife? Not to mention, if someone had serious intentions of using something like this as a weapon on a plane, it would be very easy to conceal it on your person where it wouldn't even be picked up by additional wanding or wallet searching.



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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 02-26-2003).]

Tazi, you just made the case for the random screening. Remember the guy they caught in New York a couple of weeks ago who was going to Hawaii? He had a number of knives made of composite material. How did they catch him? Random search. So I guess it does have its uses afterall. From what I have read, the guy had connections with Al-Queda associates. Maybe he was not going to actually do anything on that flight, but maybe it could have been a dry run. Afterall, the 9 clowns who succeeded on 9/11 did accomplish at least one dry run before they struck. Maybe, just maybe, the screeners stopped something from happening at a later date. We just might not ever know.

IMO, this is where somebody needs to get a grip on reality. In these days of reinforced cockpit doors, sky marshalls, heightened passenger awareness, etc., what kind of weapon that is small enough to be on a credit card could possibly be used to commandeer an aircraft??

Get a grip.

Composite knives and metal knives for that matter are NOT credible threats to aircraft safety. Want a sharp slashy-slashy-stabby-stabby instrument? Break a glass or a tray table. It's POINTLESS (pun!) to keep on harassing people like this. Visit Zurich sometime. There is an impressive number of knives for sale at the airport, past security. No one uses them to try to hijack planes.



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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

I saw very cool looking "wallet knives" for sale at the wilderness store in my area. They include a wickedly useful looking little knife and other stuff and are designed to go into your wallet.

Ironically, the plastic knives they allow you to use to eat your airline meal seem to me sharper than the steel knives they used to provide.

As pointed out (ha ha -- pun again), anything can become a sharp and pointy object. How many of us get nasty paper cuts?

Hmmm, now how big is a box cutter ?

As long as knives are prohibited, they will be stopped. One man's harrassment, is another man's security.

Box cutters worked because pilots opened cockpit doors and people cooperated with the hijackers. Box cutters are no longer a credible threat to aircraft, but you'd hate to have your job changed to actually having to perform security rather than harassment, am I right?



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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

I just tape my ceramic knife to my leg under my socks - TSA has yet to find it.

Of course, now we will have de-socking to check on this latest threat.

One man's delusion, another man's reality.

I look forward to the day James Loy and Norm Mineta are fired and/or your organization is permanently disenfranchised.



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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry