Re: [at-l] Pepper Spray and Loud Noises

["Texas Twelve-Step" <texas12step@hotmail.com>]

Wildbill wrote:
texas12step@hotmail.com wrote:

>> The FAA regulations have recently been relaxed with regards
>> to pepper spray. You're permitted to carry one canister in
>> checked baggage, but it has to be four ounces or less. Double-
>> bag your spray and toss it in your toiletry kit. If you're
>> caught, the worst that can happen is you get a body cavity
>> search by enthusiastic, minimum wage security guards.

> Good and bad, bad in that the Bear deterrent pepper sprays
> are all over 4oz. The personal defense pepper sprays are not
> strong enought to use on bears.

This is true, though there have been instances of people
successfully driving off bears with sprays intended for
personal protection. A four ounce spray may be marginally
effective, but rule one of a gunfight is "bring a gun."

> If the minimum wage security guards, find anything on a person
> that should not be in an airport or on an airchaft, they call
> the Airport Police.

That depends on what they find, the carrier employing them,
where the airport is located (Anchorage has a totally different
attitude than, say, Logan), and how wide of an anal aperture
they feel like being on any given day.

Depending on the situation, gate security may "only" confiscate
any spray they find in your carry-on and give you a few nasty
words on the side...or they may call on the fuzz to give you
a real hard time. I've read of both types of encounters.

On the other hand, knives which fall outside of FAA regulations
limits (or the guard/carrier's subjective interpretation of
same) are typically just refused passage. If you're not too
late, you can rush back and have it placed in with your checked
baggage. Otherwise, you can mail it home if you have an envelope
with the proper amount of postage pre-stamped. A lot of folks
who habitually carry knives and the like will keep such an
envelope handy, because you never know what'll get the gate
security's panties in a twist.

Keep in mind, too, that the FAA regs aren't cast in stone.
Security *always* makes the final call on what is allowed through
their gate. I've seen gates in Bismarck where 4" knives were
allowed through, even though the FAA regulations prohibit knives
3" or longer. Some guards ignore serrations (a no-no according
to the FAA) while others are very strict in prohibiting them.
For example, I've carried a plain-edge Delica through security
numerous times, but have seen guards refuse to allow another
passenger's 1-inch bladed Dragonfly knockoff through because
it was serrated. Someday, someone is going to reject my "FAA
legal" Delica.

I just love poorly paid and trained people wielding arbitrary
power. It makes commercial flying such a pleasure, just like
driving to Canada.

-TXIIS



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