After going all through those threads, plus what I've been encountering, my advice, such as it is, is this:

- If you're going someplace where you'll need a proper PSK, send it via Fedex or DHL in advance.

- While carrying a Personal Survival Kit is problematic on a commercial aircraft, carrying a Personal Medical kit should not be. This means bandages and medications only, no instruments.

- There's no restriction on carrying a flashlight, space blanket or bivy bag, radio, water or certain packaged foods (i.e. Power Bars) on board.

- Take up cigar smoking. Most cigar cutters will pass airport scrutiny and are specifically mentioned on the TSA allowed list. The cheap guillotine cutters can be cannibalized into a fairly usable utility blade in a dire emergency. The cigars can also be cannibalized for emergency medical use as well.

Otherwise forget about any pointed blade or wire.