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Tape measure in carry-on?

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Old Oct 15, 2005, 8:36 pm
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Tape measure in carry-on?

Is a tape measure (Stanley 12' x 1/2") permitted in my carryon?
I checked the list on the TSA site but it wasn't listed there, and couldn't find it in a search here.

How about a torpedo level (those are small levels, about 9" long). I'm assuming that is not permitted (too bad, I want to check if the walls are plumb and square).

I'm flying to California on Monday to measure a clients site, only have a few hours there before I return, so I don't have any checked luggage and I'd like to have everything I need at hand.

TIA,
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Old Oct 15, 2005, 9:46 pm
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I'm flying to California on Monday to measure a clients site, only have a few hours there before I return, so I don't have any checked luggage and I'd like to have everything I need at hand.

Yes sir, all of these are allowed to be carried in carry on. Only tools (pliers, hammers, etc) are restricted to your checked baggage. Have a safe flight.
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 5:56 am
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I'm wondering.. In what world isn't tape measure a tool.
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 6:23 am
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Originally Posted by whirledtraveler
I'm wondering.. In what world isn't tape measure (and levels) a tool.
Edit mine
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 6:27 am
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Originally Posted by doober
Edit mine
Thanks. I didn't notice the levels. Sheer insanity.
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 6:58 am
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Originally Posted by whirledtraveler
I'm wondering.. In what world isn't tape measure a tool.
I guess the way they figure it a tool is something used to manipulate something else, like drill a hole, screw a screw, pound a nail, turn a bolt etc. Looking at it that way, a tape measure isn't a tool - it's a measuring device.
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 7:03 am
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Originally Posted by myrgirl
I guess the way they figure it a tool is something used to manipulate something else, like drill a hole, screw a screw, pound a nail, turn a bolt etc. Looking at it that way, a tape measure isn't a tool - it's a measuring device.
I guess that makes sense. Terrorists wouldn't use non-tools to do manipulative things like that. You couldn't, for instance, pound anything the way you could with a hammer, using anything but a hammer.
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 7:12 am
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Originally Posted by whirledtraveler
I'm wondering.. In what world isn't tape measure a tool.
There was a section of a thread about this and Bart explained it. Essentially prohibited tools are those which change things- cut, attach, slice, dissassemble, pry, etc.

My concern about the items I need to carry doesn't come from them being tools, but more from them being metal objects.
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 7:13 am
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Originally Posted by whirledtraveler
I guess that makes sense. Terrorists wouldn't use non-tools to do manipulative things like that. You couldn't, for instance, pound anything the way you could with a hammer, using anything but a hammer.
I agree with you there. But the line has to be drawn somewhere and I'd prefer it not be drawn where speculation such as yours comes into play. Personally I could think of a ton of ways to use non-tools as tools including the change in my purse and my thumbnails.
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 7:22 am
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Originally Posted by myrgirl
I agree with you there. But the line has to be drawn somewhere and I'd prefer it not be drawn where speculation such as yours comes into play. Personally I could think of a ton of ways to use non-tools as tools including the change in my purse and my thumbnails.
Does this mean that we're not really safe? Five Billion dollars a year, and we're not really safe?
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 8:09 am
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Originally Posted by whirledtraveler
Does this mean that we're not really safe? Five Billion dollars a year, and we're not really safe?
Complaining, complaining. If you are earning five billion dollars a year, you can afford a private bodyguard.
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 6:08 pm
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Originally Posted by bambi47
Yes sir, all of these are allowed to be carried in carry on. Only tools (pliers, hammers, etc) are restricted to your checked baggage. Have a safe flight.
Thanks Bambi, I'm looking forward to a good trip- I'll get some work done and accumulate a bunch of miles.
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Old Oct 16, 2005, 10:20 pm
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Originally Posted by Gargoyle
Thanks Bambi, I'm looking forward to a good trip- I'll get some work done and accumulate a bunch of miles.
Your welcome Gargoyle, always glad to help. I didn't realize that this would turn into a debate, but I should have known better. Exactly as was said earlier, the line has to be drawn somewhere. And I bet that until someone uses a tape measure to do something to an airplane, they will be allowed. I'm curious as to why something metal would make a difference. Metal IS allowed on flights, why the concern?? Be safe and have a good flight!!
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Old Oct 17, 2005, 4:14 pm
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Careful

When the xray operator opens your carry on, finds the strange Metal object, and asks you what it is, I would suggest telling them it is a Miniature Pocket Level.

Even though it is the correct technical name, at screening I would not call <anything> a Torpedo.
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Old Oct 17, 2005, 7:25 pm
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Originally Posted by Flaflyer
Even though it is the correct technical name, at screening I would not call <anything> a Torpedo.
Good point.

Passed through smoothly at both ORD and SNA, screeners were efficient and smiling (although ORD had a long line and one WTMD was down, so the workload was hectic for them). No shoe carnival, no problems at either location.
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