If the discussion is focused on how to have your equippment at the other end then the approach taken for your underwear should suffice for your equipment. Take enough cash to replace whatever you can't live without. If the checked luggage gets there you have your underwear and your stuff if not you will have to replace both. If you are going somewhere you regularly visit there is the possible of pre-arranged caches. This becomes expensive rapidly if you travel alot. Do the airlines really lose your lugage that often? more than once a year? Doug, you travel a bunch - how bad is the checked luggage problem? I have never lost a piece of checked luggage but I don't travel the airlines more than twice in 5 years.

<<A problem with all of the above is that this whole line of thinking is an attempt to circumvent the rules and if detected prior to use will cause you much trouble.>><br><br>Your observations are interesting and useful; I'm glad you suggested some defensive options to consider.<br><br>Still, I wasn't thinking about defeating the next tango aboard a plane - I think he'd find himself overwhelmed by the entire planeload of men, women and toddlers these days. As the man said, "Let's roll!"<br><br>I was more concerned with transporting valuable tools from point A to point B without breaking the rules, being detained at an airport or having said tools confiscated (carry-on bags) or lost forever (checked bags).<br><br>Thanks,<br><br>Tim Elliott

>>how bad is the checked luggage problem? <<<br><br>I have flown 2-3 trips per year for many years and have had luggage delayed only once, and that was on my homeward leg after volunteering to be bumped from an overbooked plane at the last minute. Since I was going home, I didn't really need anything in the suitcase, which was delivered to my door the next day. I have also never had anything stolen from my luggage and I don't lock my suitcases. I also don't usually check anything too tempting to theives.<br><br>Based on my own experience, I'm not too worried about the checked baggage problem, although problems are always a possibility and for people who fly every week or two, it is almost inevitable that they will have a problem eventually.<br><br>I would just check the blade in the luggage, but leave the several-hundred-dollar knife at home. I doubt mailing or shipping a knife is any more reliable than checking it. Plus, if you check it, you have access to it immediately at the other airport.<br><br>Maybe rental car companies will start a rental knife program.

A great list, but having studied law before I switched to computers, I'd like to point out that if you ever need to use any of these, this post would become prosecutions' exhibit "B", just after the item. Prior consideration to circumvent the law.<br><br>Besides, to quote Heinlein, "there are no dangerous weapons, only dangerous men". And for the people who might be offended, that does include women- my sister who is a hundred pounds lighter and a foot chorter can throw me around the mats and not be breathing as hard as I am. <br><br>We are survivors (rather than using the term survivalists), and thus know how to improvise and adapt.

MEBRAD,<br><br> What about serving trays? They could easily ward off a edge wielding attacker. Nothing beats a good piece of para cord to deflect an attack. I've been hit upside the head with a hard soled shoe. Sure did get my attention. 007 would be proud of us.

Doug,<br><br> You're a credit to the site. Little tips like that are invaluable.

>>>For that matter, I just filed down the edge of a credit card and while it wouldn't cut much, if would be better than nothing as an improvised defensive weapon if need be. <<<<br><br>Again, this only points out that the current procedure only prevents law abiding travelers from carrying a weapon on board. Anyone seriously considering hijacking a plane has many ways in which to threaten and/or harm folks.

I don't fly I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions on it.

If it can withstand 400 degrees and conduct electricity, you can get it anodized "glow in the dark" kinda like paint, but never come off!

Wallet with Swisscard (School ID, medical card, social securites card, family pics, pics of various BABES, you know the usual)<br>Spyderco. Michael walker series liner lock (plain edge)<br>Swiss army classic (white) -> upgrading to midnight series or whatever with light in it<br>Neat little invention i made today, Certs mints thing (looks like credit card) took apart made into fishing kit<br>>>cert fish kit<<<br>10 feet of line<br>4 hooks<br>>>cert fish kit<<<br>house key with metal ring, p-38 can opener (Thanx Chris), match case (thanx again chris)<br><br>