Pens and the TSA

[kandm25]

 

I don't understand - did they stab something with it when they opened it? Did they grab the nib and twist it? In either case, I am very sad for you. I've never had that happen with TSA, and I usually carry at least three pens on a trip. I did, however, have security in the federal District Attorney's office in Indianapolis check the five pens I was carrying at the time to make sure they were what they appeared to be (didn't break them, thank goodness - I think I had Parker 51s with me that day).

 

Sharon in Indiana

I see what you mean, this particular pen is a magnetic closure and there is like an internal ledge/edge inside the cap about half way, and I assume they ran it down the side of the cap and it was caught as the tines were twisted. It took me a while to figure out how it could have occurred, that's my best guess as I had no indication he had mishandled the pen. I was 10-15 feet away while they searched my bag for it, and it did not appear he struggled to close it. I think that it was just rotten luck. I wish it had been in my suitcase though. Papier Plume worked on the nib for a bit for me earlier in the day to make it perfect. Just a really bad luck event...I just wanted to warn people, but I don't think it would have happened with a screw down cap. May have been just because New Orleans TSA was super careful due to the unrest in Baton Rouge that it got the open and inspect treatment.

Karen

[ENewton]

Last month I traveled from San Francisco to Chicago to Germany and back to San Francisco with a fountain pen and a pack of cartridges in my purse, and no one took any notice on any of the flights.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

I see what you mean, this particular pen is a magnetic closure and there is like an internal ledge/edge inside the cap about half way, and I assume they ran it down the side of the cap and it was caught as the tines were twisted. It took me a while to figure out how it could have occurred, that's my best guess as I had no indication he had mishandled the pen. I was 10-15 feet away while they searched my bag for it, and it did not appear he struggled to close it. I think that it was just rotten luck. I wish it had been in my suitcase though. Papier Plume worked on the nib for a bit for me earlier in the day to make it perfect. Just a really bad luck event...I just wanted to warn people, but I don't think it would have happened with a screw down cap. May have been just because New Orleans TSA was super careful due to the unrest in Baton Rouge that it got the open and inspect treatment.

Karen

 

With all the unusual objects that the TSA looks at in people's luggage, it would be surprising if there weren't some unfortunate incidents like this. Saying "I've never had a problem", which would be true in my case, doesn't help people who have had a problem.

 

I think the odds are pretty good that a fountain pen won't be an issue, and that the TSA won't even inspect it closely (and somehow break it), but there's an element of chance, and I tend not to take my very best pens on a plane trip. Other than that, I don't worry about it.

[welch]

I've flown with FP's and ink many times since 2008 or 2009. No problem. A typical ink bottle is about two ounces...I'm looking at a vintage Sheafer Skrip bottle right now. Never had trouble...even when flying to Tel Aviv on El Al, one of the most careful airlines. Other than El Al, which seems to have its own security, TSA doesn't seem to blink...not at he pen in my pocket or the couple I carry in my briefcase. Maybe think I've got ballpont pens?

[tamiya]

Big Brother is watching this thread, boys & girls!

 

Was on an Emirates A388 yesterday when discovered it had wifi - oh goodie, who needs sleep lets check what's new on FPN...

 

Until this very page got banned against their AUP hahaha

 

http://i.imgur.com/a7RJmVA.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/a7RJmVA.jpg

 

Sadly by that time I was already safely onboard with a big posse of dangerous pointy FPs (some even über sharp Japanese Fines!!) in my carryon, no way I'm checking in anything worth more than $10 into cargo...