The Guardian Self Defense Key Chain

Notice what it says in black and white on the page: "This product is approved by the TSA for transport onboard US domestic flights."

I find that difficult to believe.

-- Craig

I think it's true, but very misleading. Sure, you can "transport" it, like I do a knife... in checked baggage. Or you can take it off your keychain (metal), stick it... somewhere... and walk through the meta detector. Or maybe what they really mean is "not explicity banned by the TSA". :-)

But yeah, I find it hard to believe that it'll get by a security person if they notice it. The shape is too odd to be explained away as something else. It's clearly a weapon (even if not immediately recognized as such) and therefore is probably forbidden anyway, even if the material (plastic) isn't a problem.

I hate flying, post 9-11. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Edit: Hey, Airline people. I want a reliable, secure way to check items which can't be carryed on board. Something that's _not_ processed through the normal checked baggage system. I give you my knife, you give me a reciept, I get my knife when I step off the plane. Everything could go tagged into one box which is retrieved by the flight attendant. I will PAY you for this service.

(Yeah, FedEx works, but it's tough to coordinate, and a pain for short trips.)

"Misleading" is the kindest thing that one could say about it. Very nearly deceitful, it is.

In its defense, it doesn't look like a weapon to me at all. It looks like a sex toy conceived (pun intended) during an acid trip.

OR like a really funky backscratcher.

By the way, I haven't flown since 9/11, so kudos to those of you who do. I am SLOWLY working up the nerve to do, however. My Better Half wants to travel.

-- Craig

It looks like it's supposed to function in the same manner as a kubotan, which is specifically banned. I do not believe that this would be an approved item except in checked baggage. That misleading wording is likely to land you a fine and future close scrutiny from the ever popular TSA.
Ed

Groo - back in '97, I flew on several Peruvian airlines, and was peeved that they wouldn't allow a Swiss Army knife in the cabin. I thought it was kind of silly, because I'd flown to Peru from the U.S. with it in my pocket. But what they would do was cabin check it ... almost exactly as you described it. I got a claim tag, and my Swiss Army knife flew stored in the cockpit with the crew.
Apparently, that's how police and military are able to fly with a gun - it's claimchecked and flown in the cabin. Well, anyway, it was in '97. No idea what they're doing now.
Dave

Interesting. Wish they'd do that here. Or take more responsibility for the theft occuring in the checked baggage area.

It has been approved by the TSA. If something does happen and it is taken by a TSA employee. We will give you a new keychain free of charge.

However, this has not happened in over 10 years that I am aware of teaching and training using the Guardain as a tool.
Devin <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

*scratching my head"

Prior to the fall of 2001, there was TSA and I flew with things much more effective than this on my person, without question or hassle from the officers hiered by the airports. Spring of 2001, I flew with a full-size multitool on my belt, a twiny swiss aremy knife of my key ring, a lockback knife in my pocket, and a lighter in my pocket.

So.... 2005, minus 2001, ingnoring a few months for simplicity, gives us four years. Less than four years. That is more than six years less than "over ten years".

Excuse me, but your errors are showing.

No offense, but I'd rather not have to get so close to someone that I need to use something like this. Maybe it works well, but it reminds me of a bottle opener.

As far as having it on the airplane, I'd rather whoop on a terrorist with the drink cart. Anyone ever sit in the aisle seat and have the stewardess smash into your elbow? Now that hurts! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Since 9/11 I haven't taken a single flight for personal travel, only for work. I think a lot of other people have had the same idea, because there seem to be new hotels and motels popping up everywhere for the road-weary travelers.

If you doubt- then that is fine- do not buy.

Bottomline If we were not telling the truth we would have been shut down by now by TSA. We also stand by the Money Back Guarantee.
Devin