Are you an avid traveler who also happens to love to sit back and relax with a nice, chilled glass of wine?
If so, then you most likely are the type to have a wine bottle opener handy on you, in case the situation arises wherein you might have need for it.
It’s better to be prepared than not being able to have your glass of wine simply because you did not have the tools for it, after all.
But while this readiness is commendable, there still remains certain instances when a wine bottle opener may not be allowed.
But it’s harmless! Why would it not be allowed anywhere at all?
It’s merely a small, innocuous tool meant to help you open your good ol’ bottle of wine, right?
Well, yes, that’s right.
But also, it may not be as safe and innocuous in less than normal conditions–such as when riding an airplane.
Wine in the Sky
Flying remains to be one of the most convenient means of traveling, especially when going long-distance.
There are, however, many safety guidelines and considerations that passengers must adhere to in order to ensure safety in-flight.
If you think about it, flying is exactly one of those “less than normal conditions” that could potentially make a wine bottle opener seem less safe than it actually is.
That’s because you’re traveling inside an all-metal and steel vehicle, cruising high up in the atmosphere, with nowhere to go in case of an emergency.
That is why safety protocols in an airplane are so strict.
No matter how short the distance of the flight may be, the pilots and crew cannot drop their guard at any instance when ensuring the safety and well-being of their passengers.
So why not a wine bottle opener in the cabin?
This is because there are actually variants of this tool that have an assortment of additions, such as glass bottle opener, or even a blade.
Under flying rules and guidelines, these features of a wine bottle opener are considered to be potential dangerous weapons.
Because of how else it can potentially be used apart from its original, intended design, wine bottle openers are likely to be confiscated at the gate, just before the final boarding.
Simply put, therefore, any object that may otherwise be used as a weapon cannot be in your possession during the flight.
Caveats to Airline Policies
Take note that the prohibition is strictly limited to in-cabin possession.
However, if you really want to travel with your wine bottle opener, all you need to do is to put it in your checked in luggage, or those that will be brought into cargo, and you should be good to go.
At least even though it’s not on your person as you board the plane, you can rest easy knowing that you do have it with you for the rest of the trip.
Just make sure to carefully wrap it as you would any other sharp objects, like knives, for safety.
Also pay attention to the policies being enforced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
There might be certain updates to their guidelines that would be relevant to you, so make sure to refer to them before your flight to be sure.
Right now, bottle openers are unequivocally allowed on the flight, according to the TSA, but also note that this is probably referring to the generic glass bottle openers, and not the wine bottle opener that has a sharp end to pierce through the cork.
If you have this type of wine bottle opener, it’s most likely going to be confiscated by the security officer.
Also, keep in mind that not all policies are the same across the board.
They’re bound to be different depending on which territory you’re flying out of.
The best thing to do is to do your research before your flight.
Always check which items need to be checked in before your flight, and especially which ones you shouldn’t even bother to bring at all since they are absolutely prohibited.
When still in doubt, just put your wine opener in your checked in baggage.
You’re not likely to need it in-cabin anyway, even if you’re going to get a glass or two.
The flight attendants will surely be able to serve what you need, so you don’t need to worry yourself about that.
Save yourself the trouble and hassle of going through security checks and being asked to step aside for a secondary search because you have a “potential weapon” on you.
Check in your wine opener and have a good, safe flight.