Cool Material: Until we have actually taken one of these new stainless steel Leatherman Hail + Style PS through a TSA security checkpoint ourselves–or one of you has and you report back–we’re dubious about them being travel-friendly, but we’re willing to give them a shot anyway because of their feature set.
10 comments:
I'm not quite sure if I believe that this is really going to pass through TSA. Still having metal and just appearing to be a knife or even a weapon is definitely going to worry many. Even if it meets all of TSA's actual standards or guidelines, I still feel like some agents may say its not allowed just for fear of losing their job. I'm interested to see how this tool works out.
The tool as a whole looks really cool and if you do a lot of travel and boarding it would be incredibly useful. However, I agree with Sam that it seems highly unlikely that this would make it through TSA. Unless Leatherman and the TSA have worked out some kind of special deal why would this piece of metal be allowed through over other ones. I would be very interested to see if this would actually make i through.
From what I understand the TSA doesn't post very clear "yes that can go on the plane" for any items. They always say "it's not a good idea to bring that". Its up to the discretion of the the agents that you see at the gate. I would feel much more comfortable taking this to an air port if I knew I wouldn't have to toss it at the checkpoint.
I'm a little confused by the images of this tool because two of the three pictures don't seem to be of the tool that they are describing. I checked Leatherman's website and I didn't find any more clear pictures of what this tool looks like and what tools it has on it. I find it hard to buy something with such a small amount of information.
This seems like a good tool for people who see my leatherman and think it is cool to have a type of multitool always with me, but do not have a use for three different knives themselves. As it states it would also be good for snowboarders, but even with that the market for this tool does not seem like it would be a big one. The main reason why I use my leatherman is for the knives and files. I have also talked to a few others about this as they totally agree. I am interested to see how popular this becomes.
I agree with everyone else who is skeptical of it actually making it through a TSA checkpoint. Whenever I fly the thing that I always worry about the most is making sure I don't have anything on me that could get confiscated. I check my pockets and bags 2 or 3 times just be absolutely sure, so if this really does make it through security, it would make life easier. The problem for me is that it doesn't look like a full size tool so I'm not sure how useful it would really be. If I'm traveling and need to bring tools, I'll pack them in my checked bag or send them in a workbox with the rest of the gear.
Last year, I carried my leatherman with me practically everywhere I went. Whenever I travelled via plane, this became a problem, since I often did not think about the fact that I would not be able to bring my leatherman through security. I know many other drama students who have had this same experience. While I think it is really admirable that leatherman is trying to put out products that can pass through security, I do not know if this tool would actually pass through. Also, even if this tool is "TSA safe," I am not sure how useful it would actually be to people. If the tool is safe enough to pass through security, it probably won't be the best and most useful tool.
I completely agree with Jess. I have to remember to not have my Leatherman on me or in my carry on when I'm flying. Though I don't need to use my Leatherman on a plane, it has become sort of a comfort thing. I feel out of balance when I don't have it on me, and I often cary it in my purse if I'm not wearing pants or have pockets. I'm sure that for some people this would be a great new thing that they can bring with them. But even though I rely on my Leatherman a good deal day to day, I can go for a flight without having it on me.
The primary reason I carry a multitool is to have a knife and the other tools in one package. If I can't carry a Leatherman with a knife, I would just carry a pair of needle nose pliers.
I suppose this is useful for technicians on the road a lot, and those in jurisdictions that prevent them from carrying pocket knives.
I dont see there being any problem with taking this on a plane. It does not appear to have a knife and there are no rules about having pliers on a plane. I think the most that would happen is a TSA agent stopping you and checking it out and then sending you on your way so as long as you are okay with the possible inconvenience of being stopped, which really could be caused by just about anything. Ive been taking my key knife on planes for years and never had a problem.
while I don't do any snowboarding, I like the idea of having a TSA safe leather-man. In response to Sam's and Olivia's concerns, I think that wether or not the TSA lets the tool through is highly dependent on how busy they are and thus how much time they have to go over the tool.
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