Bowie Knives and Airplanes

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Most people will realize right away that Bowie knives are not airplane-friendly items. There are very strict prohibitions on weapons being carried on planes at present. Even before the implementation of those restrictions, there would be almost no way that an individual would be allowed aboard an airplane with a Bowie hanging off their belt. Like all weapons, these knives require special handling when flying.

Carrying the weapon on one's belt or somewhere else on one's person while at the airport is prohibited. When one heads to the airport, their Bowie knife should be secured in a suitcase and inaccessible. This inaccessibility is a good bench mark of whether or not a knife is being carried correctly. No one should be armed anywhere near an airport but it is permissible to transport arms in one's luggage.

The Bowie knife will be subject to any laws that apply once it and its owner are back on the ground. Remember this and check ahead to make sure that the knife is even legal where one is headed. There are some places where certain weapons are specifically against the law. It is not the airline or the TSA's responsibility to inform passengers of the laws in other places, so be sure to be informed ahead of time.

In most cases, carrying a knife into an airport, Bowie knife or otherwise, will also be a serious issue. Be sure to have the knife packed away and ready to fly before leaving for the airport. Remember that much smaller knives than Bowies are prohibited on airlines, so if one happens to carry even a pocketknife with them it will be taken away. The restrictions regarding what may be brought on a plane are very severe at present. Airports in general have very tight security, so be sure to call ahead and to verify any special handling instructions for the knife with the airport.

Bowie knives are illegal in some places, so make sure to check ahead before shipping them anywhere. If there are no problems, shipping is a good and inexpensive alternative to taking luggage on an airplane. One simply ground ships their knife ahead of them and picks it up at the destination. For those who don't want to have any trouble carrying a weapon, this is oftentimes far preferable. These knives cost very little to ship.