Taking a (small) screwdriver in carry on luggage?

[PurpleFox]

Wondering what peoples thoughts are on taking the following item in hand luggage on an international flight, I have googled but found conflicting information.



I am going on a single trip involving multiple flights and would like to just take hand luggage if possible to speed things up.

From BA:
You can only take trade tools that can be used to either cause serious injury or threaten the safety of an aircraft in your checked baggage, not on your person or in your hand baggage. Examples include:

Crowbars
Drills and drill bits, including cordless portable power drills
Tools with a blade or shaft of more than 6cm that can be used as a weapon, such as screwdrivers and chisels
Saws, including cordless portable power saws
Blowtorches
Bolt guns and nail guns

Clearly longer than 6cm but could it be classed as a weapon?

[Alorotom]

If you’re insisting on hand luggage just rebuy it at your destination.

I would absolutely bank on that being confiscated somewhere along the journey - particularly as you’re transiting multiple airports and airlines.

[RGG]

It's in some sort of aviation guidelines - that the airlines have to abide by - someone will be along to say what the specific is.

It's says something like - " a wrench - spanner" can be carried in hand luggage up to a maximum of around 6 inches - so I would say there's no problem with your screwdriver.

Sorry it's so vague - someone will come along with the specifics.

My personal experiences - I've took a lot of high value photo gear as hand luggage - along with smallish tools - less than six inches - and never had problem - everything went through the x-ray system without a problem.

[Bill]

PurpleFox said:

Clearly longer than 6cm

The shaft isn't. And with the removable bits it's effectively blunt. Presumably you could buy one when you get there if you're worried about having it taken off you?

[alock]

One of these lives in my work bag and has been through multiple airports. It's an entirely plastic handle which looks like a pen which probably helps.

https://www.toolden.co.uk/hand-tools/screwdrivers/...

[RGG]

Bill said:

PurpleFox said:

Clearly longer than 6cm

The shaft isn't. And with the removable bits it's effectively blunt. Presumably you could buy one when you get there if you're worried about having it taken off you?

For the spanner - the directive is / was to confiscate over six inches - not six centimetres (2 3/8 inches).

[Mobile Chicane]

I'd say that's a no. If it looks remotely like a 'cabinet key' - and that does - they will have it off you.

[Alorotom]

alock said:

One of these lives in my work bag and has been through multiple airports. It's an entirely plastic handle which looks like a pen which probably helps.

https://www.toolden.co.uk/hand-tools/screwdrivers/...

Similarly though I used to travel (fly) several times a week with suitable and within guidance cutlery in my roller bag - some weeks there would be zero issues and other weeks they’d be taken at the first airport I went through!

Application of the rules is so open to interpretation and just not worth the risk or hassle tbh.

[jurbie]

I wouldn't worry about what the regulations say because it will depend entirely on who is checking and what mood they are in. I had an allen key which had flown all over the world with me, confiscated at Belfast City. When I protested with the above fact I was told 'they don't care about the rest of the world, they do security properly in Belfast'.

[Bill]

RGG said:

For the spanner - the directive is / was to confiscate over six inches - not six centimetres (2 3/8 inches).

From the OP they say shaft over 6cm.

[RGG]

RGG said:

It's in some sort of aviation guidelines - that the airlines have to abide by - someone will be along to say what the specific is.

It's says something like - " a wrench - spanner" can be carried in hand luggage up to a maximum of around 6 inches - so I would say there's no problem with your screwdriver.

Sorry it's so vague - someone will come along with the specifics.

My personal experiences - I've took a lot of high value photo gear as hand luggage - along with smallish tools - less than six inches - and never had problem - everything went through the x-ray system without a problem.

A bit of Googling -

TSA - Says no tools over seven inches! - That was my six inches comment from memory.

GOV.UK - Says no screwdrivers through UK airports.

I say - I would be happy to take that screwdriver through.

I did have a 10mm AF combination spanner taken off of me at JNB - I think the guy wanted it more for himself.
We had a bit of a silent stare out - but it all ended happily and I went on my way.

[thebraketester]

Unless they are special left handed ones I would just re-buy when you get there.

[Starfighter]

I would chance that. A regular screwdriver I would expect to bake off me.

[Rough101]

It’s a no, anything that can potentially take anything in the cabin apart is removed, I had an allaegedly ‘air safe’ kit taken off me and even a roll of parcel tape (apparently it can be used to tie people up, I didn’t mention my scarf…).

The guidelines are only guides.

[drmike37]

You know it’ll get taken off you at some stage, so why cause yourself the stress?

[PurpleFox]

Thanks for the replies. The reason for taking it is to save me checking in luggage which potentially allows me to get to airports later and leave them quicker. It would however be easier to take checked baggage than find somewhere to buy a screwdriver at each of the four destinations which are all unfamiliar to me (South America). Agreed that it's not what the regulations say it's a security person's interpretation and what sort of mood they are in, I wouldn't argue as it never ends well, just hand it over and apologise.

The Stanley pen type one looks like a good shout, I actually have one and hadn't thought of that, thanks.

[GreatGranny]

I got a 13mm spanner I use to remove my bike peddles confiscated when flying to Guernsey via London City last year.