I have been around airplanes in United States airports since I was being carried around in my mother’s arms. I am a Certified Pilot and Certified Aircraft Dispatcher with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Visiting major airports and international air travel is nothing new to me or the family. Hopefully, I can answer some of these travel essential questions without you going down a rabbit hole on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website. 

Below I am going to break down some of the most asked questions that get asked. I will give you a Yes, No or a Maybe for Carry-on luggage or checked luggage.

Can you bring fingernail clippers and nail scissors on a plane? 

The official TSA rules state:

If the blades on the small scissors are 4 inches or less you can carry them on the plane. You can inquire about a specific type of nail clipper at your nearest TSA office and ask a TSA agent for verification. Regular small nail clippers are not an issue with the airport security checkpoint.

• Carry-on luggage— Yes
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring nail glue on a plane? 

This one comes with some caveats, you have to ask yourself “is the nail glue flammable?” If you answered yes then you cannot bring it on a flight. You can bring Non-flammable nail glue. There is a liquid limit of 3.4 ounces for nonflammable nail glue for carry on bags.

• Carry-on luggage — yes
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring nail polish on a plane?

The FAA limits the total amount of toiletry articles in checked baggage. The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container cannot exceed 500 ml (17 fluid ounces). It has to be broken up into 4 bottles if you wish to carry 2 liters of nail polish with you. 

• Carry-on luggage — Yes if the quantity is less than or equal to 3.4oz
• Checked bag — Yes 

Can you bring metal nail files on a plane? 

I know many ladies ask themselves this question along with flight attendants. No worries on that nail kit, most if not all nail care tools and nail care products are allowed in carry-on baggage & checked luggage. 

• Carry-on luggage — Yes
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring a manicure kit on a plane? 

Yes! Since most basic manicure kits include nail clippers, cuticle pushers or cuticle cutters, a shaper and nail file, TSA is usually cool with it. Enjoy you’re mid-flight manicure, just be mindful of any strong fumes to not disturb others around you!

• Carry-on luggage — Yes
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring safety pins on a plane? 

Yes! I actually carry a few in my big pink messenger bag that I use for carry-on baggage because you never know when you might need a safety pin. They are perfect for cleaning lint out of lightning ports and fixing a wardrobe failure.

• Carry-on luggage — Yes
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring a cigar cutter on a plane?

This one is a tricky one because this is classified as sharp items but the blade is enclosed by the handle so this one has different rules. The final decision rests in the hands of the TSA officer at the security checkpoint. It’s a general rule to place your cigar cutter into your checked bag or leave at home. If sharp objects are to be stored in checked baggage, it needs to be secured in a way that it will not harm baggage handlers. 

• Carry-on luggage — Maybe
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring an inhaler on a plane?

Yes you can. TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection. My wife Amanda has an inhaler she travels with. We don’t check it as it’s one she needs to carry on her. We have never had a problem traveling internationally or domestically with it as a carry on. A good rule of thumb though, is just to make sure you have the prescription on you to prove that the inhaler does belong to you in case there’s any issues with unexpected carry-on restrictions.

• Carry-on luggage— Yes, with special instructions 
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring a blanket on a plane?

Yes, of course! As we like to travel via SpaceA and multiple airlines we carry blankets with us at times. If you’re going on longer trips where you’ll be carrying the blanket with you to multiple places maybe opt for one that compact easily.

• Carry-on luggage — Yes
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring coffee beans on a plane?

Yes! Be mindful that if your bag is cluttered you may be asked to de-clutter it if they need a better view of your bag on the X-ray machine. But you’re welcome to stuff coffee beans in your bag as you desire.

• Carry-on luggage — Yes
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring pens on a plane? 

Yes! It’s always good to have a pen on you, especially for those inflight declaration forms & immigration forms you may want to fill out in advance of going through customs. Flight attendants often pass the forms out about an hour before landing and many times they don’t give you a pen! You can be a hero to someone searching for a pen…if that’s your thing.

• Carry on — Yes, of course!
• Checked bag — Yes

Can you bring matches on a plane?

The type of matches that are allowed are “safety matches”. These are the ones that do not strike anywhere and you can only have one book.

• Carry-on luggage — Yes
• Checked bag — No

Can you bring a taser on a plane?

Only in a checked bag. The stun gun needs to be inoperable & secured in a way that it can not be discharged while being transported in your checked luggage. If it has lithium batteries it cannot be placed in a checked bag and needs to be left at home. 

• Carry-on luggage — No, never have this in your hand luggage especially going through a TSA security checks
• Checked bag — Yes, with special instructions

Final Thoughts

Before venturing to the airport it is always a good idea to check the gov website of the agency you will be dealing with. Whether that is TSA in the United States or an international destination that accepts international flights. If you will be dealing with the infamous TSA, go check out the TSA guidelines on their website for an in depth review for your next flight. If you are flying to the European Union make sure you review the official websites and their recommendations. The last thing you want is to miss your flight for a item that you missed and assumed is on the list for carry-on baggage.

Happy travels! If you have an interesting item you want to know if it can be carried on… drop us a comment below.