Your's is a timely question, since I've been approaching my December busy travel season and asking myself the same questions. It appears that for the time being at least, given the insanity that prevails, even a scalpel blade in a mini-kit is a potential red flag, if the security people are awake enough to catch it. Certainly not worth losing the kit over. <br><br>I HATE being without even a small knife blade, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of alternatives right now that don't hold the prospect of more agro then they are worth if caught. <br><br>One possibility I am considering is the small, cheapo folding knives they give away at trade shows. Dropped in the bottom of the bag, it would be inconspicuous and if found, excusable and easily shrugged off, let them keep it. It's not much, but it's a blade.<br><br>Beyond that, I'm leaning towards reproducing my personal kit sans the blades and needles just for carry on. <br><br>Real blades go in the checked baggage along with my scissors I use to trim my beard. :-( I'm not about to put my Sebenza in checked baggage. I'll check one of my Benchmades, Spydercos, whatever...<br><br>I always carry bottled water, again that hasn't yet been a problem at the screeners as long as it is sealed according to friends who have been traveling a good deal lately. If it is, you can buy it inside in the airport shops. I also always carry a few packages of homemade trail mix. More of both goes in checked luggage. For that matter, as lomg as you're checking luggage, you can really carry a good deal more than you might otherwise.<br><br>I have also acquired a walking stick (actually a few to possibly to a piece on). Makes an effective weapon, if you know how to use it, and doesn't raise any red flags with anyone so far. They were confiscating canes and walking sticks the first couple weeks, but that seems to have stopped for now. Who knows what idiocy will come in the future.<br>