Knitting needles on planes?

[mickey house]

My wife has not taken her knitting on the flights to/from Florida because someone told her years ago they were banned on planes (that was me). She was recently told she can take them onboard, but only wooden or plastic needles not the metal ones she uses.

She googled this and she said it still appears vague because apparently it's still discretionary and airlines/security can refuse them onboard and even confiscate them.

Do any ladies (or men) have experience of bringing knitting needles through security and using them onboard (we are flying with BA)?

[gp200ts1]

my wife questioned Virgin about her crochet hooks and was told that they were OK, didn't matter if they were metal or not. she printed the email off and takes it with us every trip but has never been questioned about them. might be worth your wife going down the same route.

[scooby99]

No personal experience but flying back from the USA 2 weeks after 9-11, there was a lady using a massive pair of metal knitting needles on our flight!

[Colette-S]

Is she knitting you a new pair of shorts?

[mickey house]

Thanks guys, Mrs MH gets bored on the flights (who doesn't) and she enjoys knitting to relax her. I think it also blocks out my rambling because when I ask why she hasn't responded to me, she claims to have been counting her stitches😀

[mickey house]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

Is she knitting you a new pair of shorts?

See more...

Lol, she knits dog blankets and takes them to the dogs trust near us (Harfield).

[chrisxal]

I take my knitting with me, I use childrens plastic needles on the plane and pack my long metal ones in my case, when we get to the villa I transfer the knitting onto my metal ones. I knit babies/kiddies clothes for the women's refuge centre and hats and gloves for the homeless which I give to the Sally Army so nothing is big and bulky so kids needles are just fine. I also buy lots of wool from Walmart it is cheaper than Michaels or Joanne's .

[Nimbus]

At first I thought MH was going to pitch his idea for the sequel to "Snakes on a Plane".


Both the UK and USA authorities allow knitting needles in your hand luggage, according to their government websites:

UK: gov.uk/hand-luggage-rest...personal-items
US: tsa.gov/travel/security-...itting-needles

British Airways' website also states that you are allowed to take knitting needles and crochet hooks onboard in your hand luggage (scroll down to the "Sharp Objects" section and expand):

britishairways/en-gb...d-restrictions

Therefore, I think I can confidently state that Mrs House will be able to take knitting needles onboard with her.

[Grumps Mrs]

I asked TSA when I was in Seattle (visiting DH whilst working there). They said it wasn't a problem although they hoped I would use "quiet" needles if they were on the same flight. Nice to see some of the security guys with a sense of humour!

[mickey house]

Thanks all, and if anyone sees a woman on a plane knitting and a bloke sitting next to her talking to himself, there is a good chance it's Mr and Mrs MH😀