Doing some research before a recent trip, I discovered that the TSA lists very specific criteria for items in carry-on baggage. I wanted to know what multi-tools would be TSA compliant. The answer is not as clear-cut as one would expect, because even if your multi-tool meets the criteria set by the TSA, TSA officers are given the final decision whether an item is allowed as carry-on.
Unlike many of the youth today, I remember a time when traveling by plane wasn’t nearly the hassle that it is today. The worst thing you had to be worried about was a flight delay or cancellation. Now just getting to the plane is
I remember when you could carry a Swiss Army Knife or any smaller pocket knife right through security. You could just toss it in with your keys, in the key tray and on your way you would go.
Then the unthinkable happens, September 11, 2001. On that tragic day air travel as we knew it changed forever. Due to the strategies used by the terrorist, it made carrying any bladed or pointy object on a plane
What Are The TSA’s Criteria?
When you search the TSA’s website it isn’t difficult to find the section that covers multi-tools. The criteria
So you would think that seems fairly clear and
I started by checking the policies on other tools and household items that are similar to the tools of a multi-tool that may be considered prohibited in nature. The following, are okay according to TSA’s website:
- Bottle Opener – OK
- Nail File – OK
- Corkscrews (with no blade) – OK
- Fork – OK
- Plastic or rounded butter knives – OK
- Knitting Needles – OK (Note: NO length restriction listed)
- Scissors (with cutting edge less than 4″) – OK
- Screwdriver (Shorter than 7″) – OK
- Wrenches/Pliers (Shorter than 7″, measured from end to end when Assembled)
By looking at the data I had collected, I noticed two golden rules: No knife blades and nothing remotely pointy over 7 inches in length. Unless of course, you’re into knitting. All joking aside, I would have to believe the 7-inch rule still applies to anything sharp and/or pointy, even though it is not listed specifically.
The main concern seems to be sharp and pointy objects, which unfortunately most all multi-tools have some sort of
Carry-On Or Checked Baggage
Before you pack your bags for your trip, you need to make some decisions about what parts of your
If you are going to have checked baggage. You will be able to pack your items that are prohibited or questionable in nature, in that bag. If you are not going to have any checked baggage, you will have to carefully evaluate what you plan to take with you.
This is where reviewing the TSA’s Policies very closely is important but you may also want to check with your airline as well.
TSA Policies Vs Airline Policies
One thing to keep in mind when thinking about bringing your multi-tool on a plane trip is the airline’s policies may be more strict than the TSA’s. I checked the websites of some of the bigger airlines and found that they either copy and paste the TSA’s info or are not very specific with their info. In the end, if you are concerned I would call your airline and check with them directly.
“TSA Approved” Multi-Tool Options
If you plan on taking the gamble and flying with a multi-tool even with the chance that the TSA may confiscate it, I have made a list of multi-tools that have the greatest chance of success. These are all listed by their manufacturers as being “TSA Approved” or “TSA Compliant”.
For my top TSA “Approved” multi-tool picks click here to my Recommended Tools Page: Best TSA “Approved” Multi-Tools
The list is not very big, but quality options that would qualify, are few and far between. There are other no knife options but due to their size, I fear that the seven-inch rule would come in to play so I did not list them here.
Leatherman: Style PS
This little multi-tool packs a lot of punch for its size. At 1.58 ounces this is the lightest multi-tool on the list that has pliers. Full of useful features that will help you out whether your traveling or just going about your average day. Small enough to disappear in your pocket or with the integrated carabiner you can clip it to a bag or belt loop.
Tools and Features
- Spring Action Pliers
- Wire Cutters
- Spring Action Scissors
- Nail File
- Tweezers
- Carabiner/Bottle Opener
- Flat/Phillips
Screwdriver
Gerber: Dime Travel
This offering from Gerber delivers full-sized multi-tool features packed into 2.2 ounces. One unique tool this little guy has is a zipper pull tool. This makes opening and closing
Tools and Features
- Spring Action Pliers
- Wire Cutters
- Bottle Opener
- Tweezers
- Coarse and Fine File
- Scissor
- Zipper Pull
- Cross Screwdriver
- Flat Head Screwdriver
Victorinox: Swiss Army Jetsetter
This option is for the ultra-minimalist and has the highest chance of making it through the TSA screeners, but also has the least amount of features of all the tools on the list. The Jetsetter comes in two models. One called the Jetsetter and one called the Jetsetter@work Alox. These two similar in design but the Jetsetter@work Alox offers something a little extra, a removable USB stick.
Tools and Features
- Scissors (Both)
- Magnetic Phillips Screwdriver (Both)
- Bottle Opener (Both)
- Wire Strippers (Both)
- Key Ring (Both)
- Toothpick (Jetsetter only)
- Tweezers (Jetsetter only)
- USB Stick (Jetsetter@work Alox only)
Leatherman: Juice CS3
The Juice is for the ultra-minimalist that has to have their Leatherman fix. With the least number of tools and features on the list but it does have a corkscrew for when you absolutely, positively need that bottle of wine open.
Tools and Features
- Spring Action Scissors
- Bottle Opener
- Can Opener
- Corkscrew
My Multi-Tool Is Being Confiscated, What Can I Do?
So you have chosen to take your chances with your multi-tool and you decide to bring it with you to the gate and then the TSA officer makes the dreaded decision that your multi-tool is not going on the plane with you. Even if you had checked bags, it’s too late to put your multi-tool in there. What will you do now?
You don’t
There is one other thing that you can do, but it does require that you plan ahead. One trick I read about but never have tried is to pack a prepaid envelope in your carry on bag.
Planes, Trains And Automobiles
Traveling across the country doesn’t always have to be by plane. I’ve crossed the country from the mid-west to the west coast and back, by car, bus, train
Traveling by car gives you the most freedom when it comes to what you can take with you, i.e. knives and multi-tools etc, but at the same time, you also have to consider where you are traveling and what the laws are governing the areas that you will be passing through.
Traveling by bus is very similar to flying, at least when it comes to their knife policies. Greyhound’s carry-on and checked baggage policies mirror the TSA’s. If it’s sharp or pointy then it needs to be in your checked baggage.
Traveling by train is a different story. In some ways, they are more lenient and in other ways, they are not. Items like knives are listed as prohibited from carry-on and checked baggage, but other items like scissors and corkscrews are allowed as carry-on items. Then they list “Sheathed equipment, to include fencing equipment, are allowed in checked baggage“. What does that mean?
Travel-Friendly Multi-Tool Alternatives
At this point, you may be thinking that your chances of getting even a TSA approved multi-tool past the security checkpoint, are slim to none and slim left town. But you still would like EDC tools of some sort.
There is an alternative, pocket tools. If you are unfamiliar with pocket tools, I have an article I wrote about the differences between multi-tools and pocket tools.
Pocket tools are generally smaller and lighter than multi-tools and most importantly, most don’t have knife blades or cutting edges. Many are small enough to carry on your keys and be completely unnoticed.
