On the subject of aircraft security...

[dianavilliers]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/column/story.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10509462  , third item down.

Never mind the nail scissors, what about the chainsaw. A reader writes: "My brother-in-law went through security at Auckland domestic airport and witnessed a passenger having to fish out her nail scissors from her handbag and leave them behind. He went through security and then boarded his plane. After being seated he could smell petrol. He knew you shouldn't be able to smell petrol on a plane, because planes don't use petrol. The smell got worse and eventually he got the attention of one of the flight attendants. They started to look around to see where it was coming from. They found in the overhead compartment a chainsaw in a bag that was leaking petrol into the compartment. His plane was delayed as the owner was identified and the chainsaw removed and put with the main luggage. The owner of the chainsaw said security had stopped him but had let him through because it wasn't one of the things on their list to confiscate.

 

Comments

[peterfitz.livejournal.com]

When the USA went into Iraq, they were sending troops over by private airline. The troops weren't allowed to take their bayonets or pistols on board with them, but were allowed their assault rifles, grenade launchers and rocket launchers. Go figure.

[dianavilliers.livejournal.com]

Ammunition too?
I once, pre 9/11, took an iaito as cabin luggage. I didn't have a box for it and didn't want to check it just in its bag.

[sarahdotcom.livejournal.com]

Er, right. I'm pretty sure petrol's on the list of stuff you can't have, even in your hold luggage!!!

[dianavilliers.livejournal.com]

I can see chainsaw = small bottle of petrol attached to engine not entirely clicking at security.