cutting plastic cable ties?

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Dec 23, 2002 | 10:53 am
  #1  
SylviaCaras
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What am I allowed to carry with me that will but the plastic cable ties that will now lock my suitcases?

My hands are hugely strong? Will small nail clippers do the job?

I will have to purchase something, don't want it confiscated.

In general, might there be someone/something at various baggage claims?

Suggestions?

Sylvia
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Dec 23, 2002 | 12:10 pm
  #2  
kanebear
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I find that twisting a car key in the tie can break it as long as it's not too thick. Failing that, nail clippers will do fine for all but the biggest ties.
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Dec 23, 2002 | 12:14 pm
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cordelli
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Scissors with rounded points are allowed in carry ons. Nail clippers are allowed in carry ons. I have yet to meet a cable tie you can't break by twisting a pen in it (at least not one you would use on luggage).

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Dec 23, 2002 | 1:15 pm
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businesstraveler
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If it can wait until you get to your hotel, I'm sure the staff will have something to remove the ties. This has happened to me a couple of times with products that came in blister packs that I could not open otherwise.

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Dec 23, 2002 | 1:39 pm
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MisterNice
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Carefully use a lit match. Works 100% of the time.

MisterNice
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Dec 26, 2002 | 3:13 am
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Radiocycle
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I think a nail clipper or scissors would work 100% of the time.

If you don't have the above a lighted match would work, although it may smell awful.

Good Luck!
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Dec 26, 2002 | 4:10 am
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lensman
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Cigar cutter?

If you have softsided luggage and don't want to buy rounded scissors just for carry-on, put sharp scissors in the outside pocket of your softside luggage.
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Dec 27, 2002 | 5:52 am
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GeorgeBurdell
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Anything long and cylindrical like car keys, pen, pencil, etc. Just stick it through the loop and start twisting around until snaps. Just make sure you leave a little gap in the loop when you attach the plastic. Cinching it too tight will force you to use cutting implement like scissors.
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Jan 25, 2003 | 12:18 pm
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lukeaa
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I just put my little Swiss Army knife in an outside pocket on the suitcase, that is not closed with a cable tie.
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