How do I find out if I'm on the flying watch list?

[knitter4democracy]

It came up during our DFA meeting last night. I'm flying with a good liberal friend to a knitting convention in July, and I'd like to know if they're going to say I can't fly before I get to the airport at six in the morning. I'd also like to know if they're going to restrict me or whatever and make me check all my knitting needles so I can pack accordingly (FAA says needles are fine, as does the airline, but they are making some knitters check them if they're on the list to keep getting searched).

Does anyone know? Can I just go to the airport and ask?

[acmejack]

1. You try to fly.

I actually contacted the TSA about this and there is no way to check. They will not inform you yea or nay, the only way to find out is to actually attempt to fly. What a fabulous system, huh?

[Bassic]

6. You mean, after you've spent money on your ticket?

Gee I wonder why that is... :eyes:

[Atman]

2. You'll need to fly.

I don't think there is any way to know until you've handed them your ticket at check-in. There are different levels of the watch list, apparently. Recently, as some DUers might recall, my 20 yo son, who hadn't flown since being a small child, and who has no political affiliation or activity (except being my son!) was stopped when he went to fly to Texas a few months ago. He had to step aside, get searched and prove he was who he said he was, then they let him go.

[arachide]

3. If you go to the airport and ask...

and you're not currently on the list, the very fact that you're asking might be enough for them to PUT you on the list. They'll wonder why you're concerned...

[treestar]

4. They can't tell you because it's a danger to national security

for you to know who is on the list.

:sarcasm:

I know someone who tried to get the government under FOIA to say whether they had her phone records and that was the response, more or less.

[Solly Mack]

5. You find out when you actually check in.....your name will will flagged

I was told they wouldn't answer that question over the phone. (I called Atlanta and Kansas City and asked both regarding my flights to the states)

[Crowdance]

7. The knitting needles can't fly in the cabin, at least in NY

I recently watched them confiscate one woman's needles. They were beautiful needles, too.

[alphafemale]

8. Well...if you can pre-print your boarding pass 24 hours prior

You're not on the list.

But if you can't pre-print your boarding pass it doesn't mean you ARE on the list.

As far as knitting needles go put them in the carry-on and let them know they are there.

If they are in checked luggage there's a chance people would rummage through your luggage.

I probably wouldn't take any more expensive ones (if there is such a thing?) :shrug: in case they were confiscated.

You should probably look into shipping them ahead and have them waiting for you somehow.

[knitter4democracy]

12. I wouldn't take my good ones, just in case.

Yes, there are expensive needles, but I don't have anything on them at the moment.

It depends on needles, from what I've read on knitting sites. Short sock-size double points (about 5" long and 2mm thick) in wood or plastic don't seem to be a problem, and I always have a sock project going that would be nice to work on.

I hate to check baggage, though . . . *sigh* It's probably for the best with the projects I want to work on while there, though. . .

[NavyDavy]

9. yes knitting needles are acceptable as carry on or checked in.

They will tell you at the airport if your on the no fly list. I work for Frontier Airlines.

[knitter4democracy]

13. Are all of them okay, though?

I could see circular needles making someone nervous (they're needles connected with a plastic cord). Of course, the knitting joke is that none of us would sacrifice our needles for anything--we love and use them too much.

I have to wait until I'm at the airport to know, though? *sigh* It would be nice to find out ahead of time, but I guess that defeats the purpose or something.

[HeeBGBz]

10. What? You might knit an afghan!

They'll probably take your needles away. (old joke, sorry.)

[knitter4democracy]

14. Not me.

:) I can't knit them for some reason. I've started several but seem to fail after a couple of squares.

Needles are up to the officer doing the checking, from what I've read. Most know that the FAA is fine with knitting needles, but some still make you check them.

[HeeBGBz]

15. You should be okay.

I haven't flown in over a year though.

[shain from kane]

11. "Saul, meet me halfway. Buy a ticket." n/t