Bert Hyman wrote:
(Scott Dorsey) wrote in
:

terryS wrote:
Then before boarding a twenty minute hop between two airports within
the M.E. my pocket neon test screwdriver, with a blade all of two
inches long, was confiscated! "Not allowed"!
It's a tool. You aren't allowed to have tools on US airliners.
They took my Allen wrench away. When I asked, I was told that I
could use it to take the plane apart. I pointed out that we were
flying on an Airbus which is all metric, but it didn't help.

Tools (not defined) and screwdrivers less than 7" long are allowed
in carry-on bags.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...d-items.shtm#7

However:

To ensure traveler's security, transportation security
officers (TSOs) may determine that an item not on the
prohibited items chart is prohibited. In addition, the TSO
may also determine that an item on the permitted chart is
dangerous and therefore may not be brought through the
security checkpoint.

In other words, if they take a fancy to it, they have license to steal it.

-Chuck