I see lots of corkscrews on Amazon that claim to be “TSA approved.” Some corkscrews even say “TSA Approved” on the body of the corkscrew.
I don’t believe it. I bought a Boomerang corkscrew that Amazon said was TSA approved. TSA confiscated it.
It seems to me that the knife blade for cutting foil capsules is not the only problem. My Boomerang did not have a knife blade. It seemed that the screw itself was also a problem.
Can an Ah-So be carried on?
I believe that any corkscrew can be checked. Since my wine needs to be checked, that seems to be the best solution. I also realize that our experience might vary from airport to airport, and from inspector to inspector, but I would like to know the most prevalent rules. Even then, I would never try to walk on with an expensive corkscrew. When carrying on a flight, the cheap corkscrews are for me.
TSA site addresses both with and without blade.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/corkscrews-no-blade
Thank goodness I bought the Durand sheath or I might be in prison right now!
The TSA website discusses checked bags. I am asking about carry-on bags.
Zero issues with them across multiple countries. Good praxis to pull from bag and put in bin tho.
Also travelled with a cheap promo corkscrew that was just the worm and didnt even have to pull it out.
They all look bladed.
I can only say that in a lot of US and non US fligths, the no blade “TSA Compliant” corkscrew has had zero issue even when I forgot to pull out. Having it out and instantly inspectable is being effiecient and courteous.
But my Boomerang was not bladed, and it got confiscated.
*The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.
I’ve never had mine confiscated.
Note to self: get a TSA Compliant stamp for all contraband!
Never had a problem carrying on an ah-so.
The last time I saw all my brothers, I bought a couple of bottles of wine and a cheap corkscrew. I gave the corkscrew to one of the brothers who had checked a bag.
-Al
No, it addresses both. See the check marks/Xs
TSA and counterparts have judgement flexibilty and there can be jerks. As I mentioned, having the corkscrew in a tray goes a long way as prevent defense.
And as an aside - there is/was a TSA supervisor at JFK who.is a hardcore spirts and wine guy and he would go an extra mile to help.with weird duty free dark ass spirts and fortified wines that wont handle the laser beam. Always a joy to shoot the shit about spirits with
The joke is that, blade or no blade, you could do some serious harm with a cork screw alone, or an ah-so.
You are correct. The TSA website does say that corkscrews without blades can be checked or carried on. Surprising.
Maybe I should carry a copy of that page whenever I try to carry on a corkscrew. But I have a feeling that most TSA inspectors will not like being challenged, and my corkscrew will be a goner. It’s like telling the highway patrol that they don’t know the law. The law is what they say it is, if I want to board my flight.
