Bowie Knives and Airplanes

Most people will realize right away that Bowie knives are not airplane-friendly items. There are very strict prohibitions on weapons being carried on planes at present. Even before the implementation of those restrictions, there would be almost no way that an individual would be allowed aboard an airplane with a Bowie hanging off their belt. Like all weapons, these knives require special handling when flying.

A Bowie knife cannot be carried in any luggage that is brought on board the plane. This is to prevent anyone from accessing a weapon while the plane is in the air. The pre-boarding inspection will include the x-raying of luggage and there's no way that this x-ray will miss a Bowie's blade. Trying to carry a knife on the plane can create a great deal of trouble for anyone caught doing it. There is a way that these knives can be carried onboard, however, on most major carriers.

The Bowie knife will have to be sheathed. An open blade is not allowed in the luggage. This is common sense, anyway, as an open blade would obviously damage the items around it if the luggage were handled roughly. The knife will also have to be securely packed in a bag, not transported loosely. If these requirements prove to be burdensome, one can always ship their knife and get it at their destination.

Packing the Bowie knife must be done securely and according to procedures. The knife must be in its sheath within the bag. Loose blades will be taken away. The knife cannot be sent along on its own, outside a bag, and it may not be brought into the passenger area in any carryon luggage. The knife should not be taken out of the suitcase until one is off the premises of the airport and, depending on where one lands, until one is in an area where it is permitted.

A Bowie knife, if it is a particularly expensive model, may be better shipped than taken on a plane. While most airlines provide excellent security, there are incidents when items are taken out of passenger's luggage, particularly on international flights. A Bowie has all the qualities of something desirable to a thief: light, expensive and easy to sell. Luggage cannot be locked on a flight, so shipping may be more secure than baggage.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knives store featuring hunting knives.

by: Dylan Sabot

Total views: 2 Word Count: 397 Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 Time: 3:01 AM - 0 comments

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