In Cozumel, I checked my dive bag and started through security. This turned out to be a big deal.
TSA in Cozumel made me wait forever for a personal search of a bag I was carrying that contained my knitting. They weren’t even concerned about the underwater flashlight.
They unearthed two knitting projects on circular needles and held them up to me as if to say, “Aha… we caught you!” I explained that I was “una tejedora”. The TSA agent shook his head and said, “No, it is a weapon”. I explained, "No, it is not a weapon it is a blouse on one set of needles and a shawl on the other set of needles". By this time a couple more TSA agents came over looking at me wide-eyed and insisted on confiscating my needles.
Don’t laugh, but I became nauseated at the thought of losing my works-in-progress. I’m not the type of person to cause trouble… I run from it. I hate conflict!But I felt this overwhelming urge to protect my yarn and needles the way a mother would protect her child. We're talking some serious yarn! Berroco Cotton Twist that has been discontinued and can't be found anywhere online; Manos del Uraguay in the most beautiful colors imaginable. The Manos del Uraguay #3109 is worth going to Federal Prison for... even a Mexican Federal Prison. If you're familiar with this particular colorway, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
As politely as possible, I explained that I had never had an issue coming through security with knitting before and was told in response that it was a new law. A law against knitting needles in a Mexican Airport? Seriously... a law? I can only imagine the incident that would possibly cause the Mexican government to hold an election on banning knitting needles in airports. I mean, really... a LAW?
My poor DH, Michael suggested that I string yarn through the stiches of both projects and give up the needles. Hmm... maybe. Maybe, if I hadn't had to check my little bag of tools through with the dive gear. I'd need a pair of scissors and a tapestry needle. Both are considered contraband in airports worldwide. Remember, knitters are a dangerous lot. We disguise ourselves as frumpy women wearing glasses, hanging out at any yarn source in our vicinity. We're even known to travel to exotic locals to score yarn... or fiber. If necessary, we'll kill for a score. It's nothing personal. Just our job. The Cozumel TSA had my number, that's for sure. I thought that I could travel undetected by checking my knitting toolkit packed in my dive gear. I'm part of an elite unit of ninja knitters. My specialty is using Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needles to achieve any assigned mission. You don't want to see what I can do with a pair of knitting needles.
Sensing my impending breakdown and the possibility that I might vomit in public, Michael asked if there was any other way to at least keep the yarn and get rid of the needles. What?!!! We're talking Addi Turbos! Two pair of Addi Turbos, thank you very much! That's about $40 in needles! Of course, TSA was okay with that. They were going to cut off my needles! I could feel the acid rising up from my stomach. I was in shock. I numbly agreed, drool running down my chin. At that point everything starting getting fuzzy around the edges. As soon as I saw the scissors, I panicked. Just as they were about to cut, I said, "No... alto... um... por favor." The TSA agent suggested that I check the needles and knitting through Continental. That was really funny. They had me there. I had already checked my D*@% bag. It was sitting outside on a cart somewhere. I informed the TSA agent that I had to check my bag before coming through security. "Oh... well... maybe you can check another bag?" Well... that would cost me $25 and I am a Scot (a knitting-ninja-Scot). I closed my eyes, swallowed hard, and said, "Okay" through pursed lips. Economically, it made sense. As much sense as one can muster after being harassed over knitting needles. $40 for the needles or $25 for my projects to fly in a hot, stinky, dark, cargo hold of an airplane.
Moral of the story… it’s not the airline that has a problem with knitting needles, it’s airport security. Big difference. Continental was aghast that TSA wouldn’t let my knitting through. "I know... it's terrible! I mean, look at me! Do I look like a ninja knitter trained in taking out the enemy with Addi Turbo Circular knitting needles?".
