Crochet hooks on planes - rant alert!

Some of the older crochet hooks in my collection could be lethal if stabbed into someone's eye (the longer ones could even reach the brain). I have one that's 6" long and 0.75mm at its tip which I have to handle very carefully even in a controlled crafting situation! (Here's a similar one I found online a minute ago.) I suppose using metal knives & forks is some kind of nod towards reduced plastic use (although wooden ones would at least be compostable). This is one of those situations where the law is an ass. It's a long journey you have ahead of you - too long to sit doing nothing - so I suggest you take along something to do that doesn't require sharp/pointed objects (French knitting, maybe, or finger crochet?). Hope you have a great time, anyway.

Wear a hat and stick your crochet hook in it as a hat pin!

There's no fooling them on some airlines .
I was made to take my hair down on one airline !
Take your wool and crochet cotton and leave your pins and hooks at home .
I think that I was only allowed on with my embroidery needles because the lady in front of me made such a fuss about her knitting needles that she delayed the flight .

I would just try a bamboo one and have a spare in your hold luggage if taken off you. Pretty sure they couldn't take your crochet work away from you, your property and of no danger at all.
I have knitted on many flights with no problem but not long haul.
Do remember landing at Auckland airport and sniffer dogs jumping up at me which I found very off putting after such a long flight and not a dog fan. Asked if any fruit on me and I said no but did have an apple in my rucksack but eaten on the 'plane. Very strict on stuff like that.

What next? Will they stop people from taking a book onboard - death by a thousand (paper) cuts !

Went to Australia in May with Singapore Airlines , had no problems with a plastic crochet hook. We’re going again in December and will be doing the same again (sorry for late post)

BeverleyJB

What next? Will they stop people from taking a book onboard - death by a thousand (paper) cuts !

I can remember when the rules were introduced years ago.

However, it was pointed out that CDs were still being sold then in the duty free shops and that CDs can be snapped, producing a sharp weapon.

I take plastic crochet hooks and knitting needles on a plane - don’t think they show up like metal ones !

Sadly not a misunderstanding. I had a call from them as well as a reply on line. Just can't equate my hook with being "sharp or bladed".

I was surprised that knitting needles were allowed on most airlines. I took mine on BA and Air Canada on a trip to Vancouver. It’s not logical that crochet hooks are banned. I really do not understand! Hopefully wooden or bamboo might be acceptable. We were in Premium economy with BA and the passenger in front put her seat into recline with such force that a glass flew into the floor and shattered. It created an awful mess and glass shards everywhere even inside my trainers which I had slipped off. We had to be moved and everything cleaned up - it was during the night so lights had been dimmed. Like you say if that is ok why is a humble crochet hook so much of a problem? The world has definitely gone mad! 🤭

I had a plastic dental flossette confiscated at the airport. Made me laugh 😂😂😂

I'm also a crocheter but i never chance losing my hooks although they aren't too expensive to replace. One thing that does surprise me is that simple pens and pencils could do a lot more damage than a crochet hook ever could and they aren't banned!

About 20 years ago ,
I used to fly every six weeks to Singapore or Dubai and I remember the upsets caused by Singapore Airlines , Air New Zealand and Quantas Airlines when knitting needles ,crochet hooks, scissors and food were confiscated .
I had my scissors taken .
I also had to eat my food in the airport as I wasn't allowed to take it on the flight .
And on an Air New Zealand flight a course of injections was taken , but returned to me on leaving .
Once an airline make these rules they don't make allowances .
They are used to tears and upsets from protesting Grandmas .
I'm not sure about plastic and wooden ones in luggage .
If in doubt - contact the airline rather than be disappointed .

You can’t have scissors. They confiscate them - they must have so many pairs of confiscated scissors sitting at airports! Probably sell them off at markets. I had an op years ago and I took some of that healing oil with me for the stitches scar. They took it, even though I had decanted into a very small bottle which was supposedly acceptable. The thing is, if they do it on airlines why not on trains, buses and any other form of public transport ? Ridiculous.

I'm not sure about plastic and wooden ones in luggage

They would be fine in the checked hold luggage as are scissors etc.

Regarding scissors - I have a pair of nail scissors for a baby that I carry when travelling. The blades are much shorter than the 6cms and they have bulbous ends, so not sharp or pointed. I haven’t had any challenges.

(Incidentally, as a matter of routine, we always travel very light with hand luggage only.)

(Incidentally, as a matter of routine, we always travel very light with hand luggage only.)

Even long-haul?

I did hear of someone who did that, buying clothes when she got to her destination then sending them to a charity shop when she left.

Sorry, didn’t want to derail the thread, but yes. I buy handwashing liquid on arrival so we are good to wash as we go.

My friend and her husband travel light. They usually go to Spain. They buy T shirts and shorts when they get there and leave them in the hotel room when they leave.

That is Spain.
Rosiebee said we'll be going to Australia / New Zealand with Singapore Airlines.

Well, I suppose they do have clothes shops in Australia too, I know, I bought clothes there.
But I liked them so I brought them home!

Probably the British clothes are better than ours. We are not a country known for the quality of its clothing! Think China, cheap, cheerful.

But the expense of buying out there then leaving it behind would be a no no for most people anyway I often can’t find anything I like Imagine travelling light then having to go clothes shopping on your first day oh no thanks wouldn’t suit me

It seems that the rule is not one of Singapore Airlines', but it's an airport security rule. Doesn't make it any more sensible though. Or me any less miffed

I'm not familiar with the reasons for the no crochet hook ruling as I have never learned to crochet. However, the removal of fruit or vegetables from abroad is to protect New Zealand's eco-system from pests and diseases that might otherwise have a disastrous effect because there are no natural predators for such foreign "imports".

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.