Are there decent meat thermometers that would get past TSA when carrying on luggage? I've never tried but fear the long pointed probe would be flagged and denied.
I travel with a group of friends and or family a few times a year and regularly get grilling duty. The grill quality can vary and all are propane and keeping a thermometer in my bag would be a huge benefit. I hate to check luggage but that may be the only option.
I don't know either. When I take mine it's usually for a longer trip so I check it in. I would think that it's ok but you would hate to have it confiscated.
This. That said, knitting needles are authorized, so I would suspect that you should be fine. Certainly hit up ask TSA though. They are surprisingly very helpful with these exact types of issues.
Nardo_Brewing Below is the answer from TSA, close to what you mentioned. Thank you.
"Generally, digital meat thermometers including the probes are allowed in carry-on bags. However even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed if it triggers an alarm during the screening process or poses other security concerns based on size or weight. The final decision rests with our checkpoint officers."
It’s so subjective that one answer probably won’t be the same everywhere. I flew from Amarillo to Houston then from Houston to Beaumont with a very small Spiderco knife in my shaving kit. When I went to board my return flight in Beaumont they wouldn’t let me board with it. I had forgotten it was in there or I would have left it at home. I wouldn’t risk it.
I've lost count of how many Leatherman Micras (the small ones for keychains) I have had to give up at TSA checkpoints over the years. I forget I have it, and then it's cheaper/less hassle to just toss it and buy another one than to send it home to myself.
I have found that TSA screenings can vary by airport. Recently flying out of ATL, I was stopped because my razor handle made by Harry's was questioned. It has never been an issue at DFW, DAL or CHA airports. Some TSA inspections make me put my laptop in a separate bin and others do not. I would think inspections would be the same regardless of the airport. Your thermostat may or may not be an issue. As always YMMV
Yeah. I always have a jack knife in my pocket. It's like my American Express - Don't leave home without it... The last two times I've flown it gets tossed in the garbage at the check point.
I saw a spot on the Texas Country Reporter where there is a Texas surplus store in I believe Austin where they take those trash cans full of knives and sell them.
I used to think that way until the airline lost my luggage while on a business trip and I didn't get my suitcase until the day after I arrived at my destination. Had nothing but the clothes on my back and my laptop bag, so I had to go shopping right away. In Pierre SD, where I was traveling on a Sunday for a Monday meeting.
Last edited by Steve R.; March 15, 2025, 10:42 AM.
Sounds like the answer is, it's up to the person working the checkpoint - and we all know sometimes those folks can.... well... let's just say, be 'having a bad day'.
I wouldn't risk it.
Drop it in the mail. It may not be 'perfectly' safe, but probably safer than risking losing your expensive wireless thermometer to some power trip from a low-level TSA agent who wants to assert their 'ah-thoratai!'
Large Big Green Egg, Weber Performer Deluxe, Weber Smokey Joe Silver, Fireboard Drive, 3 DigiQs, lots of Thermapens, and too much other stuff to mention.
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