"conciliator" avoidspam@home wrote in message
...

"geotek" wrote in message
om...
I travel with a folding pocket knife.

I always have my Swiss Army knife with me. Have found it very useful,
especially when there is no corkscrew or bottle opener is available!

Is this illegal in South Africa?

Ordinary pocket knives are not illegal as far as I am aware. However,
don't
have it on you, or in your hand luggage, when you intend flying somewhere.

I recently flew to Cape Town from Port Elizabeth, and my briefcase was
duly
scanned in P.E. without any problem. However, when I arrived at CT airport
for the return flight, I was called over when my briefcase had been
scanned
by an extremely bored, overweight Afrikaans lady, who could hardly speak
English, and told that she had detected a Philips screw driver in my case.
One of the other attendants asked me to open the briefcase, which I quite
happily did, knowing that I had no screwdrivers with me. Nothing was
found,
and the case was scanned again. "There are a Philips screwdriver in your
case" the bored lady managed to utter. Again we looked, and in one of the
side pockets, we discovered a small set of jeweller screwdrivers, the
largest being about 6cm in length, and the thickness of a thread. Anyhow,
I
was told this was a sharp instrument, and I wsn't allowed to take it on
board. I explained to the affable chap that I could hardly use it to open
a
locked cockpit door, and hijack the aircraft. Quite so, was his reply, but
it was still a sharp object, and not allowed on board. So, I dumped it in
a
small box attached to the wall. Not having realised it was there, I must
have carried it around for years, and certainly wouldn't miss it. I have
slightly larger ones anyway, which are far more useful.

Is there a limit on blade length? Are fixed-blades legal?

I would think that walking around with a 9 inch blade pocket knife might
arouse some suspicion! Even a fixed blade one. The latter would be rather
difficult, and even dangerous, to put in one's pocket!!! But, again, if
you
go hunting, or bushwacking, a fixed blade knife in a sheath carried on the
belt would not be taken as unusual.
--
conciliator

geotek

Further to my story about my briefcase being scanned, the funny part was
that when "lunch" was served, we were given a metal knife and fork set. Far
more usuable to do someone some injury then my little jewellers
screwdrivers!
--
conciliator