by C. Richard Archie » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:51 am
I have a Benchmade folder that I bought back in the day, it has a 3.90" length blade, and was marketed as "Airline Compliant". I flew out of Memphis a lot pre 9/11, and always had to have a discussion at security, them wanting to confiscate it, me handing a printed copy of the Law to them, I also always carried a dial caliper in my briefcase to show the Supervisor the actual measured length. Their turnover was so rampant, it was a constant series of education of the front line hands, the Supervisor would round the corner after the radio call, and simply wave me on through. As I normally checked a pistol as well, I added an hour to my cushion for getting through to the gate.
That was then, now-days, they want to blunt your fingernails at check in!
Surprisingly, after 9/11, checking a weapon normally results in a shorter time to the gate. As I will usually take the same flight per week day, I see the same guys and gals behind the counter, and they are much better informed as to the rules, in Nashville anyway, Memphis I still have a problem with the lady is is the supervisor, she wants to continue to argue that I can not have any ammo in the locked container that goes in my checked bag, and as long as the magazine is in a separate, closed holder which will preclude the loss of a round, (Velcro mag pouch is sufficient), the rules say I can keep that in the case. I carry a plastic ammo box, and have had to remove the rounds from the magazine and place them in the box once, but I challenged the Airport Authority on that one, and TSA agreed with my interpretation, (as it was in fact correct)!
"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." Samuel Adams
TFA/NRA Life Member
Chapter Leader, West TN Regional Chapter