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Question: I like to knit when I have free time. Can I take my knitting on a plane, or will the Transportation Security Administration have an issue with knitting needles?
Answer: I think it’s a great idea to bring your knitting on a plane. According to the TSA website, knitting needles are fine, as are scissors smaller than 4 inches. Larger scissors are not allowed, nor is anything else with a blade. Those items should be packed in checked baggage instead.
Q: The last time I was at the airport, it was very crowded, so there were a few rows of people waiting around the entire conveyor belt in baggage claim. People at the very front, though, were completely careless about how they pulled their bags off. One guy in front of me swung a huge duffel bag over his shoulder and nearly knocked me over. Could you please remind people to be mindful of how they’re taking baggage off the conveyor belt?
A: Sure, but I think everybody in the baggage-claim crowd needs to be mindful of what’s going on. Quickly lifting big, heavy bags off a moving conveyor belt is not something most of us do every day.
So people are bound to handle their bags awkwardly. Obviously, you should never just throw a bag over your shoulder without checking behind you. But when the guy in front of you leans in and grabs a bag, you should back up a bit to give him some room.
Q: I’m a guy. On a recent flight the woman sitting next to me fell asleep. She flailed her arms and sometimes her left arm ended up on my side of the armrest. Once it was completely over — on my leg. I tried tapping her arm, but she didn’t wake up. So I picked it up and moved it. She woke up and gave me a horrified look. I said, “I’m sorry, your arm was on my leg,” and she said, “No, it wasn’t.” I said, “Yes, it was — you were asleep.” She didn’t say anything, but moved as far away from me as possible and didn’t speak to me for the rest of the flight. Did I do something wrong by moving her arm when she didn’t wake up?
A: No. You shouldn’t have to sit with a stranger’s arm draped across your personal space. I would have probably done exactly what you did.
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Email travel etiquette questions to Lesley Carlin at deartripadvisor@tripadvisor.com.
