I just returned from a one week trip to Erlangen in northern Bavaria. At the airport I encountered the most bizarre security loophole I have seen for a while. Immediately after passing through the security clearance where knives are confiscated, you a greeted with a shop selling a broad selection of Swiss Army Knives. I was curious and approached the cashier. She assured me that these knives were okay because the length of the blade was within legal requirements. That may be so but it doesn’t change the fact that these were regular, full size Swiss Army knives, more than ample to stab someone or slit someone’s throat with. It’s an interesting contrast given that at most other airports even toenail clippers are confiscated.
I hope you did not buy one.
I’ve always found Bavarians to be an interesting lot.
Now I just need to make another pocket in my leiderhosen for a Swiss Army knife knife!
While travelling in Europe I have passed through security a couple of times with a small leatherman knife (a little bit smaller then a Swiss Army Knife) in my backpack – airports in Austria and Greece I think. And yet at another I wasn’t allowed to bring a couple of inches of water in a bottle I had just bought on the plane. Doesn’t inspire a great deal of confidence in the security.