"geotek" wrote in message
news:LaKDd.13100$iC4.3566@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
> I travel with a folding pocket knife.
I always have my Swiss Army knife with me. Have found it very useful,
especially when there is no corkscrew or bottle opener is available!
> Is this illegal in South Africa?
Ordinary pocket knives are not illegal as far as I am aware. However, don't
have it on you, or in your hand luggage, when you intend flying somewhere.
I recently flew to Cape Town from Port Elizabeth, and my briefcase was duly
scanned in P.E. without any problem. However, when I arrived at CT airport
for the return flight, I was called over when my briefcase had been scanned
by an extremely bored, overweight Afrikaans lady, who could hardly speak
English, and told that she had detected a Philips screw driver in my case.
One of the other attendants asked me to open the briefcase, which I quite
happily did, knowing that I had no screwdrivers with me. Nothing was found,
and the case was scanned again. "There are a Philips screwdriver in your
case" the bored lady managed to utter. Again we looked, and in one of the
side pockets, we discovered a small set of jeweller screwdrivers, the
largest being about 6cm in length, and the thickness of a thread. Anyhow, I
was told this was a sharp instrument, and I wsn't allowed to take it on
board. I explained to the affable chap that I could hardly use it to open a
locked cockpit door, and hijack the aircraft. Quite so, was his reply, but
it was still a sharp object, and not allowed on board. So, I dumped it in a
small box attached to the wall. Not having realised it was there, I must
have carried it around for years, and certainly wouldn't miss it. I have
slightly larger ones anyway, which are far more useful.
> Is there a limit on blade length? Are fixed-blades legal?
I would think that walking around with a 9 inch blade pocket knife might
arouse some suspicion! Even a fixed blade one. The latter would be rather
difficult, and even dangerous, to put in one's pocket!!! But, again, if you
go hunting, or bushwacking, a fixed blade knife in a sheath carried on the
belt would not be taken as unusual.
--
conciliator
> geotek
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