I haven't tried to carry a survival kit through security, probably someone else has more pertinent experience.<br><br>I have flown quite a bit, though, and I've had it drummed into me by experience that what they object to, except for obvious and extreme cases, is largely unpredictable. Sometimes it's amazing what just breezes through, and other times they just seem intent on keeping you from flying that day. It seems to have more to do with who's shift it is, how busy they are, and what their mood is that day (whether they feel the need to show you who's in charge) than policy- much like you'd expect in a third-world country. I have been hassled for a solid ash stick in one case, and a small (also solid) statue on another.<br><br>The strictest interpretation of "no flammable items" would prohibit briefcases full of paper. On the other hand, I wouldn't put any faith at all in security's being able to tell a metal box (which is going to look suspicious on an x-ray) containing a sparking device and "tinder" from a bomb- when you think about it, that's a pretty fine line. Personally, I'd check it as luggage AND arrive early enough so that any questions won't keep you from making the flight.<br><br>For what it's worth, they don't object to cigarette lighters or matches carried on one's person, and the instructions that came with the Windmill lighter say the policy is that a filled butane lighter MUST be on your person, not in checked OR carry-on luggage. That's sort of the opposite of what they want you to do with a knife, making it somewhat difficult to keep even the most basic survival gear together.<br><br>If you have the time, and are really concerned, you can do what I've done with other items in the past- ship it to yourself, care of the hotel at the destination, via UPS or FedEx. Call the hotel to let them know to expect the package, but they do this sort of thing routinely. We used to do this with computers in the days before laptops.<br><br>