A report on airport security incidents deemed serious enough to compromise public safety from Australian airports between January 2009 and February of this year found that the most common threat was people carrying knitting needles.
The report from the Office of Transport Security lists 179 "level two" incidents, meaning they involved weapons or other items that had the potential to compromise the safety of an airplane, airport or passengers. Many of these incidents involved knitting needles, though needles are no longer prohibited from flights in the country.
Sydney's airport had the highest number of level two incidents, and of course many of them were more serious than fiber fiends wanting to get their knit on in the air.
As all of us who've traveled by air since Sept. 11, 2001, know, it's important to think about what sorts of projects we travel with, even in countries where carrying on your knitting is perfectly legal. If you have stories -- positive or negative -- about traveling by air with your knitting, we'd love to hear them, and you can share on my airline travel knitting stories page.
Comments
As of December 2009 the aviation rules in Australia regarding the use of knitting needles (and crochet hooks) on aircraft was relaxed.
That being said there are still many airlines whose staff are not completely aware of the changes making life difficult for many knitters & they are often asked to not bring their needles on as hand luggage or just asked to put them away.
Here’s the link showing the changes
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/carryon-restrictions-to-be-relaxed-20091216-kvm2.html
I wonder how long it will be before they just say no to knitting needles. I always take a knitting project with me when I go on vacation but I put it in my checked bag just to be on the safe side.