Flat head screwdriver that won't get confiscated by TSA?

[wyclif]

People fly with guitars all the time. Why not just contact the airline and ask them how to do it?

It's not a question of how to fly with a guitar; I know how to do that. It's a question of different sized overhead bins on different models of jet. Sometimes the bin is long enough to fit the guitar in the bin without removing the neck, sometimes not.

All I want to avoid is having to baggage check the guitar, so I want to be able to remove the neck in a pinch if necessary. But I can't do that if TSA confiscates my stubby screwdriver!

 

[Blue Bill]

Not helpful? Sorry.

 

[4pickupguy]

Take a length of 1/4” steel rod and a 1/4 horse 5” dual bench grinder with you as carry on. Fashion a flathead screw driver once you arrive at your final Follow me for more travel tips!!

 

[John Owen]

Since a tele is considered to be a lethal weapon in some circles it will never get through security anyway...

 

[Dirtsquirrel]

Should be OK with one of these with the bits stowed in the handle.

Dakine Torque Driver

Our best-selling multi-tool for over 20 years, the Torque Driver comes with all the standard bits you'll need for your skis, snowboard, or surfboard. The stowaway handle makes it a ridiculously convenient tool to throw in with any tuning kit, or keep in your pocket through an entire day on the...

ce.dakine.com

 

[Nightclub Dwight]

This screwdriver

 

[willietheweirdo]

Also a great idea. Glad I started this thread. But where do you buy those?

I found them at a cost plus world market. But a million popped up when I googled "key chain screwdrivers"

 

[Blrfl]

Here, let's put this to rest: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/screwdrivers-shorter-7-inches

 

[KokoTele]

Your stubby screwdriver will be just fine as carry on. A full-length screwdriver will not. A full length screwdriver (or other tools) are fine in your checked bags.

I'd count on gate checking the guitar. Even disassembling it may not be enough to find space. These days a LOT of passengers carry on rolling suitcases, and even one in an overhead bin will mean your guitar won't fit. And most flights are 2/3 full or more these days. You might get lucky and talk a flight attendant into stashing your guitar in the closet, but maybe not.

Gate checked items are generally handled pretty well, and are the last things to get stowed and the first things to be unloaded.

 

[NoTeleBob]

Here, let's put this to rest: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/screwdrivers-shorter-7-inches

"The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint."

That's the rub.

 

[Killing Floor]

You’ve been blessed with a wonderful opportunity to change to Philips head screws.

 

[schmee]

Check the screwdriver in your luggage.. But really, get rid of ALL flat head type screws! They are the worst form out there and obsolete.

 

[Blrfl]

"The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint."

That's the rub.

Yeah, but then the six garottes stretched over a metal-studded club bolted to a slab of weaponizable hardwood might not get through, either. At that point, whether or not the screwdriver is allowed no longer matters.

I've been carrying small tools -- including screwdrivers -- aboard planes since not long after the U.S. figured out that 9/11 was no longer its national pastime. Nobody's said boo about any of it.

 

[NoTeleBob]

Yeah, but then the six garottes stretched over a metal-studded club bolted to a slab of weaponizable hardwood might not get through, either. At that point, whether or not the screwdriver is allowed no longer matters.

LOL. They never were much for logic in TSA. They're still making everyone take off their shoes because one time, one guy, had a shoe bomb. Also scanning the public, even though other countries have shown that other methods of finding bad people are far more efficient time-wise and effective in finding troublemakers. Sigh.

I've been carrying small tools -- including screwdrivers -- aboard planes since not long after the U.S. figured out that 9/11 was no longer its national pastime. Nobody's said boo about any of it.

OTOH, they still confiscate little keychain Victorinox knives with a 1.25" 'blade' on them.

Last time I went thought TSA, I had a large bag with a 17" laptop and stuffed with bunches of related electronics and computer stuff in it. I also had a little 100 cubic inch bag with napkins and a bag of nuts in it. Both went through the x-ray belt scanner.

Guess which one they pulled out for manual inspection and questioning me about.

 

[NoTeleBob]

I have a Fender guitar with flat head screws, including the neck bolts.

I will be flying with the guitar as carry on, and I'm a bit worried that security will confiscate my stubby screwdriver because I might need to remove the neck in order to make the guitar and gig bag fit in the overhead stowage.

Does anyone know of an unobtrusive flat head screwdriver that is small but has a large flat blade that will fit the neck bolt screws AND won't be considered a weapon by TSA and get confiscated? Anyone have experience with this issue?

I don't know if you still have time, but if you get the TSA "pre-authorized" badge, you cruise through the TSA checkpoint. No lines, no waiting, minimal inspection.

That still won't help you at the gate if you run into an airline employee with an attitude, but it might get you to the gate.

I can't say whether you're better off going up ahead of time and making friends with the gate person... while inquiring whether you need to disassemble the guitar for stowage before they start calling for boarding. They usually have better attitudes when they are not trying to rush 300 people onto a plane that's nearly always running late. Sometimes they pull in another gate person to help with the check-in right at boarding time and that person becomes King Solomon of the gate - so it might not help either way.

 

[Blrfl]

OTOH, they still confiscate little keychain Victorinox knives with a 1.25" 'blade' on them.

Those are on their no-no list.

I also had a little 100 cubic inch bag with napkins and a bag of nuts in it. Both went through the x-ray belt scanner.

Guess which one they pulled out for manual inspection and questioning me about.

"Sir, please step out of line. We'd like to inspect your nuts."

 

[ISmellSmoke]

Maybe it's easier \ less complicated to rent a guitar at your destination...

 

[radtz]

LOL. They never were much for logic in TSA. They're still making everyone take off their shoes because one time, one guy, had a shoe bomb. Also scanning the public, even though other countries have shown that other methods of finding bad people are far more efficient time-wise and effective in finding troublemakers. Sigh.



OTOH, they still confiscate little keychain Victorinox knives with a 1.25" 'blade' on them.

Last time I went thought TSA, I had a large bag with a 17" laptop and stuffed with bunches of related electronics and computer stuff in it. I also had a little 100 cubic inch bag with napkins and a bag of nuts in it. Both went through the x-ray belt scanner.

Guess which one they pulled out for manual inspection and questioning me about.

What kind of a psychopath brings napkins on a airplane?

 

[willietheweirdo]

Check the screwdriver in your luggage.. But really, get rid of ALL flat head type screws! They are the worst form out there and obsolete.

That's the kind of thinking which led to the Amazons kicking out all the guys!

 

[schmee]

Change those flat heads to flat head allen screws with thread inserts in the body? Do they make these long enough? Now you have a real travel guitar.

How about a short screwdriver handle and just a flat head or phillips head insert for the handle?