All Metal Pen On A Plane Allowed?

[a.zy.lee]

I'm going to be on a flight in a few days, and I'll be bringing an all-metal pen with me on carry-on.

Will airport security confiscate it? They might think the fine nib can stab someone to death...

[WaskiSquirrel]

Don't take a pen you would be unwilling to lose.

 

The last time I flew, I chose not to risk one of my fountain pens, so I took a Parker Jotter ballpoint: the all metal version. There were no questions or issues. Prior to that flight, I'd never thought about it, so I took whatever, though it was usually a ballpoint.

 

As long as you're polite, you can demonstrate that it's a pen if there are questions and will probably have no problems.

[Hardcase]

I'd say that the chances are just about zero that they'll confiscate it, metal or not. People travel with fountain pens quite often in Europe and North America.

 

-Drew

[ISW_Kaputnik]

I think that all anyone can say is that you're not likely to have an issue. I have flown with my all metal Montblanc Noblesse, and not had it questioned. If you calmly explain that it's a pen, and demonstrate that, I wouldn't expect a problem. On the other hand, if you catch a very suspicious security person on a day when they are on higher than normal alert, who knows? Ultimately, they are going to use their judgment on items which seem suspicious to them.

[Icywolfe]

Maybe taking a gold plated pen would make them think it's a pen.

 

Don't take a Tacticool Pen tho.

[maksim]

It's a pen. There should be zero issues.

 

I routinely travel with fountain pens and never had issues. Also, I have gun keychains and stuff and never hassled about it either. As long as it looks like a pen, and you are not going out of your way to hide it, no issues. Worst case, you can always mail it back to yourself.

 

The TSA does not confiscate stuff... it gives you the choice to either...

 

1. Go back and check it in checked baggage.

2. Go back and mail it to yourself.

3. Get rid of it by throwing it away.

 

However unless it is a weapon or something that will be used against you as evidence, there are no issues.

Edited December 14, 2014 by maksim

[Cyber6]

I'd say that the chances are just about zero that they'll confiscate it, metal or not. People travel with fountain pens quite often in Europe and North America.

 

-Drew

 

 

I am sorry.. but that is just wrong information. I will say that it will be UNLIKELY... but I will never say that there is a ZERO chance of confiscation.

 

 

The OP is not saying which country he is traveling to and which country airport security will he be going through. Some airport security is worse than others. From Latinoamerica (not mentioning any country by name).. you WILL get things confiscated. From the US.. I got my toddlers' plastic scissor taken (and given the choice to mail to myself)..

 

My pens have been ignored... but I will not carry something that I will hate to lose.

 

 

Better safe than sorry... only take what you are willing to lose.

 

 

 

C.

[kestrel]

I have flown several times with all metal pens in my carry on bag with no issues. Most flights were within the U.S. with a few from or to Canada.

[Icywolfe]

I'm only had issues with ink Carts while plane travel. Apparently even if its in my pen and because it's a liquid. It must be in a ziplocked bag till the destination. And because it's opened it must be discarded. Good Ol' LAX international.

[benjitzu]

I travel constantly all over the US and Europe with at least 6-12 pens in my carry-on bag. Have never once been questioned about them or the dozen or so sample-ink vials full of the inks in the ziplock liquids bag. Have several all-metal pens. No issues whatsoever.

[maksim]

I'm only had issues with ink Carts while plane travel. Apparently even if its in my pen and because it's a liquid. It must be in a ziplocked bag till the destination. And because it's opened it must be discarded. Good Ol' LAX international.

I have taken about 30 flights this year, with 2 packs of montblanc ink carts which serve as backup for my pens... Zero issues.

 

I have a friend who works as head of tsa at a major airport, will have to ask him how often, if ever, someone was hassled over a pen.

[SockAddict]

Given that you can be forced to check even a carry-on bag, and that checked bags can be lost, I try to never travel with anything that I would really hate to lose, unless it's always going to be on my person. That said, pens shouldn't attract undue attention.

[Barnaby Bumble]

"I have had it with these motherf**king pens on this motherf**king plane!!"

 

- Samuel L. Jackson

[blINK]

I've never had any issues with an all metal pen, but you never know what agent you are going to get on any given day. I also travel with safety razors - no blades, of course.

 

In the event that I do run into an issue, I carry a pre-stamped, pre-self-addressed padded envelope. I always allow plenty of time so if anything is ever an issue, I will be able to pop it in the envelope and mail it to myself. So far, in dozens and dozens of flights, I haven't had to activate my contingency plan.

[Moshe ben David]

bllNK: really good suggestion about carrying a pre-stamped pre-addressed padded envelope with you. I'll add it to my travel briefcase!

 

As far as pens and the like go: I've carried all manner of pens, mp, bp, etc in my briefcase and not had problems. Generally in my shirt pocket when flying I'll carry the full size (as opposed to bullet) Fisher Space Pen; absolutely all-metal. Never been questioned.

[maksim]

I've never had any issues with an all metal pen, but you never know what agent you are going to get on any given day. I also travel with safety razors - no blades, of course.

 

In the event that I do run into an issue, I carry a pre-stamped, pre-self-addressed padded envelope. I always allow plenty of time so if anything is ever an issue, I will be able to pop it in the envelope and mail it to myself. So far, in dozens and dozens of flights, I haven't had to activate my contingency plan.

 

The difference is... blades for a safety razor are specifically on the no go list. Pens... are not.

 

But yes.. good idea on the envelop.

 

there is a rule for flying with ammo. No issues with it on checked baggage, however no loose ammo. In my shooting bag, I will sometimes have that. What most shooters who travel do, is have an empty box for ammunition in their bag, just in case.

 

A friend who was going, there was 1 loose round of ammo in his bag. He waited an hour, to go through the process of filling out paperwork for temporary possession to be given to the TSA, to hold it for him, until he comes back from his trip.... for 1 loose round of ammo.

[Icywolfe]

I have taken about 30 flights this year, with 2 packs of montblanc ink carts which serve as backup for my pens... Zero issues.

 

I have a friend who works as head of tsa at a major airport, will have to ask him how often, if ever, someone was hassled over a pen.

I found LAX international always being extremely suspicious of the common stuff. And they are extremely "touchy" towards your body. LAX domestic is all cool and nice. LAX International seriously thinks that every dam person is terrorist. Then again most of my travels are near the time of Aug-Sept and they believe that 9/11 Part II might show up. Seriously doesn't help my birthday is the day right after.

 

Once I had to wait till they disassembled my laptop and had to fight them to not confiscate it because according to them my laptop was too clean. (That time I cleaned my laptop because I did have the most amazing hard drive space to keep files + import camera files.) That is what I get for trying to use a 60 USD laptop.

[maksim]

I found LAX international always being extremely suspicious of the common stuff. And they are extremely "touchy" towards your body. LAX domestic is all cool and nice. LAX International seriously thinks that every dam person is terrorist. Then again most of my travels are near the time of Aug-Sept and they believe that 9/11 Part II might show up. Seriously doesn't help my birthday is the day right after.

 

Once I had to wait till they disassembled my laptop and had to fight them to not confiscate it because according to them my laptop was too clean. (That time I cleaned my laptop because I did have the most amazing hard drive space to keep files + import camera files.) That is what I get for trying to use a 60 USD laptop.

 

They actually turned it on and browsed files?

 

I have never heard of that, wow.

 

Got to ask, don't take offense please, but are you not Caucasian? I can't believe they are going that far. Maybe they were just screwing with you? Crazy.

 

I have gun stickers on my laptop. lol. when I took it out going through TSA, this older TSA agent was looking at it, terrified, then asked her supervisor if I was allowed to have gun stickers on my laptop.

 

When she was asking... I couldn't help and put in... "Mam, my real guns are being checked right behind you." (this was a small airport so the checked baggage was right behind them. My bag was being inspected by another TSA agent behind her as I had a declared firearm there.

[Icywolfe]

 

They actually turned it on and browsed files?

 

I have never heard of that, wow.

 

Got to ask, don't take offense please, but are you not Caucasian? I can't believe they are going that far. Maybe they were just screwing with you? Crazy.

 

I have gun stickers on my laptop. lol. when I took it out going through TSA, this older TSA agent was looking at it, terrified, then asked her supervisor if I was allowed to have gun stickers on my laptop.

 

When she was asking... I couldn't help and put in... "Mam, my real guns are being checked right behind you." (this was a small airport so the checked baggage was right behind them. My bag was being inspected by another TSA agent behind her as I had a declared firearm there.

I have a not so friendly middle name. (I actually forgot about it, I only get reminded when I meet TSA LAX International. Domestic is like a bunch of cool people. ) I've been harassed before by it so I'm sorta used to it. But I still get annoyed.

 

I'm Asian, the mixed type.

Edited December 14, 2014 by Icywolfe

[KBeezie]

I am sorry.. but that is just wrong information. I will say that it will be UNLIKELY... but I will never say that there is a ZERO chance of confiscation.

 

 

The OP is not saying which country he is traveling to and which country airport security will he be going through. Some airport security is worse than others. From Latinoamerica (not mentioning any country by name).. you WILL get things confiscated. From the US.. I got my toddlers' plastic scissor taken (and given the choice to mail to myself)..

 

My pens have been ignored... but I will not carry something that I will hate to lose.

 

 

Better safe than sorry... only take what you are willing to lose.

 

 

 

C.

Chances are higher if you make a fuss about it before it even becomes an issue or are bringing too much attention to it. To many a pen is just a pen. Unless you're carrying around a yard-o-lead with a sharp looking point.