Hi All:
My oldest son is going to Sweden whith his band and will be on a three week tour of Europe.

I am making him a kit to take with him, but I have no Idea what is allowed over there. Would some of the members of this forum that live across the pond give me a hand.?

seeing as he is going to have to fly, what restrictions will he have for an international flight.?

One he get to Europe, what restrictions will be placed on the kit there.?

I don't think the restrictions in Europe differ much from the US ones...

Can there be a knife in the kit??

Here is some info:

http://www.aerosvit.ua/eng/infox/security/6743.html

You can google country by country: "[country] airline security regulations". Here is the one for Sweden: http://www.skavsta-air.se/en/content.asp?area=2&id=182

JIM is probably right.

Sue

Knife laws vary across different countries in Europe. Some countries, you need a verry good reason to carry a locking folder.

So, what countries do they visit ? (Uk and Belgium do have got some strict absurd laws).

Xterior:
As of yet there is no Itinerary, All that sead was Europe. I know thats a big place, and takes in a lot of countrys, but thats all I have.

To all of you,
Thank you. I will look further in to the TSA requirements for the U.S. The knife and fire starters is my main concern.

If he's going to some of those places, it's probably better to include a multi-tool instead of a knife. (makes more sence and raises less eyebrows in a urban enviroment)

In some parts of The Netherlands (if he's going there) like some places in Amsterdam, you can't carry knifes or multi-tools at all.

My advice: ask what his exact travelling-route is, try to find as much info as you can and pack accordingly. But you probably figured that out yourself

Pocket knives - like the Swiss Army models - are usually OK. A lot of European countries have restrictions on locking blades. If it were me, I'd buy a good pocket knife once I got over there rather than deal with the hassle of checking it through in my luggage.

For airplane travel, IMHO you want to steer clear of flammables like Esbit tabs, so perhaps just a couple of bic-type lighters would be best. They will not attract any attention. Forget any military-type gear. The airport folks are on terrorist watch, remember.

It's been almost 10 years, but the last time I was in Germany hiking and camping were very popular, and good gear was available just about everywhere. I'm guessing Sweden would not be much different. A water bottle, filter straw, camping cup, a couple of bic lighters or a firesteel, a (non-military) poncho, some cord*, a Swiss Army knife, eating utensils, a couple of space bankets, a compass, a whistle, a small FAK (no prescription meds) are all worth considering, but I bet they're all available over there.


* if paracord looks too "military," try throwing in four or five packs of replacement boot laces in the 72-inch lengths. They look very domestic and they're strong as all get out.

well what are they doing in europe? Going with his band, generally sounds like a city trip, rather than a wilderness trip. Also no tornado's, little to no earthquackes and stuff. So no reason to load him with "camping" gear, if he isn't camping.

A simple SAK should do the trick, in opening the bear bottles, cutting food/packages and getting there peanutbutter on there breads.

Lighters are availible just about everywhere, same story with pretty much everything that is easily availible in the US. We are not the third world.

oh yeah, if he's like many teenage tourist that like to make fun of others and insult people for fun, remind him that we understand him, before he meets someone that will do it for you.

Point very well taken. It is good to remember one is a guest in another country, and act as one would if a guest in someone else's home: say please and thank you, don't be too loud, clean up after yourself, and keep your feet off the furniture.

ive backpacked in europe a handful of times, and as long as youre smart about not flashing your knife around, you shouldnt run into any problems. that being said, a SAK or multitool should cause little to no problems if it happens to be seen by the authorities. sometimes being the "dumb american" can get you out of a whole mess load of trouble as well.

one time i was performing train-station surgery on an in-grown toenail in plain view of cabinierri (sp) with a SAK...i do believe their disgust overwhelmed the urge to bust the scary knife-wielding (and thus a danger to society) foreigner...so they gave me a look and a continued on their way.

what is the name of your sons band? you said sweden, i sure hope that means theyre a metal band <3

I hope I haven't misled you all, My son is in his late 30's. He is not going camping ( unless it is in some girls apartment ) He is not going to be carrying any knife. I am refering to a PSK that will be in his luggage. "BE PREPAIRED FOLKS" the bus or train might break down. got the Idea !

Your son will have to watch out for those Swedish Women. They like nothing more than to take men to small steamy huts in the woods, strip them naked and beat them with birch branches.

Many pardons, but those are Finnish women. The Swedish women...well, never mind.

big al: give the kid a trac phone and a debit card. He'll be fine.

I will have to take another drink of the yucky mucky stuff. I guessed wrong again Blast!

Nothing in the rules says you can't follow it with a swig of cool beer.

-Blast