Pens on a Plane?

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RAdams

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No, It's not the sequal to Snakes on a Plane...


I was just curious if anyone has traveled with their pen collection or inventory on a plane. Can i keep my pens in my carry-on, or do they have to go in the checked baggage? If they need to be in the checked baggabe, can I at least carry one in my pocket? I gotta be able to show off my pen on the plane! That could be at least one or two possible sales!!

I went to the TSA website, and it had a list of sharp objects that were not allowed, but ink pens were not on that list. But at the same time, I don't know if they took into consideration some crazy looking guy with a camo backpack trying to board a cross country flight with a bank bag full of metal ink pens:eek::cool:. It would be a very sad day for me to lose my inventory because of some stupid rule i overlooked.

Thanks for any help!!
 
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I have travelled more than a few times with a carry-on full of pens. I would, however, not try to carry on any cartridge/bullet pens. Why ask for trouble?
 
Ron, the last time I flew I carried 24 pens in my carry on, when it when through the xray they made me open it to show that they were pens. The only problem was explaning what I needed 24 pens for:wink::biggrin::cool:...BTW that was to Florida.
 
I believe Steve Roberts has in the past. I would call to make sure before taking the chance with the way they do things now a days.
 
cool! Thanks for the heads up! I had planned on calling but wanted to check here first. If everyone said dont do it then it would have saved me a phone call. I will call when i get my ticket squared away! I would much rather carry them than have them banging around underneath.
 
I too have flown several times with 2 or 3 cases full of pens in my carry on. They are often looked at via a search of my carry on bag but I've had no problems. I'm always asked if I sell them once I report that I made them. I also have business cards available to give to the TSA officer who looked at them and have had a couple of follow up sales. Pens made from rifle ammunition parts always go into my checked luggage. My checked luggage is always searched when pens are inside.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

RAdams said:
No, It's not the sequal to Snakes on a Plane...
I was just curious if anyone has traveled with their pen collection or inventory on a plane.
Thanks for any help!!
Click to expand...
 
Pens are not an issue...Cartridge or any 'replica or realistic bullets are not allowed through in your carry on, but are not an issue in your checked luggage...
 
I travel a little over 60% of the time for my job and there is one thing that TSA is consistent about - not being consistent.

There are several reasons for this, some of them good and some of them bad. I don't want to hijack this thread - so I won't go into the details.

The reason this is important is because a phone call is really a waste of time. Unless you have a written document on TSA stationary signed by a known senior member of TSA management - the effort will do nothing for you at the gate. How many times do you think they here "But, I called and was told.........." I hear that at least once every other week.

Now, I'm not making fun of calling or suggesting you don't research - the key is to be reasonable with what you carry on.

So, cartridge pens are simply asking for trouble. As would any pen that resembles a weapon, has knife like components, or generally is not easily identified as a pen. If you have any of those - just check them.

Beyond that, its really as simple as smiling and saying - "Yep, those are mine. I make pens for fun and profit." Okay the last part might be a stretch. :)

To sum it up, use common sense, arrive early, stay relaxed, smile and be cheerful, and you just may make a sale before you get on the plane.

Good luck and safe travels!
 
I have been told that some folks have been asked to prove that any fountain pens are functional. When carrying fountain pens, I always make sure that I have one nib that has a converter full of ink just so I can show the interchangeable parts and demonstrate that one set functions. With dozens of flights with a portfolio full of pens, I have never been asked to prove they work, but always make sure I can if needed.
 
A couple years ago when I took my Conceal Weapons Permit training in AZ, the instructor said that he always travels with a dozen or so BIC pens. When placed in the hand extending out between the 2nd and 3rd fingers become a lethal weapon. He was only asked once why he had so many pens and he just told TSA that he was a writer. I live overseas and have for many years. I have made trans-oceanic flight 2-3 times a year for 20 years. I started carrying pens like this and have never been challenged.
 
Heck I went to drop off a fountain pen to Senator Susan Collins office a couple weeks ago and had to pass through security as her office was in a Federal building. They ran the pen through thier x-ray machine and them asked me to open the box. They were suspicious it was a knife. So I unboxed and showed them the fountain pen.
 
I couldn't go in my local state capitol a while back because my pocket knife was too big?!

The person i was with also had a pocket knife, and was allowed to go inside... with his knife. Granted, he had a three blade Old Timer, and I had a single locking blade Kershaw, but i still thought it was weird. I could do as much damage with an old timer as i could with my Kershaw. I also thought it was funny that i could not take a pocket knife in the state capitol, but i could (then) go into any federal courthouse UNCHECKED, and skip right past the metal detectors and all! I even had clearance to use my cell phone anywhere but active court rooms. Not even the Judges are allowed to do that!
 
RAdams said:
I couldn't go in my local state capitol a while back because my pocket knife was too big?!

The person i was with also had a pocket knife, and was allowed to go inside... with his knife. Granted, he had a three blade Old Timer, and I had a single locking blade Kershaw, but i still thought it was weird. I could do as much damage with an old timer as i could with my Kershaw. I also thought it was funny that i could not take a pocket knife in the state capitol, but i could (then) go into any federal courthouse UNCHECKED, and skip right past the metal detectors and all! I even had clearance to use my cell phone anywhere but active court rooms. Not even the Judges are allowed to do that!
Click to expand...
It was the dread locks.
 
I just finished a semmester of Martial Arts and my instructor loved my Majestic Jr. Fountian pen for the purpose of a weapon that could go anywhere
 
I travel with pens all the time. Just make sure none of FP have any ink in them as they tend to leak and it gets messy. My own personal FP taught me this lesson.
 
its_virgil said:
I too have flown several times with 2 or 3 cases full of pens in my carry on. They are often looked at via a search of my carry on bag but I've had no problems. I'm always asked if I sell them once I report that I made them. I also have business cards available to give to the TSA officer who looked at them and have had a couple of follow up sales. Pens made from rifle ammunition parts always go into my checked luggage. My checked luggage is always searched when pens are inside.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
Click to expand...


Where are the marketing geniuses here?!?:
Of course you WANT to carry a cartridge pen in your pocket. :eek:
You'll want to give it to the TSA officer along with your business card.
That's right. Give one away and let them know they sell for $XX.95 (whatever).
I'd bet you get a enough follow-up calls for orders from other TSA officers to pay for the freebie.
:biggrin:
 
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