Security Theater

[neoshinok]

I posted this before but it shocked me and relates to OPs story:

Went to Epcot earlier this year. My sister's boyfriend realizes he has a pocket knife (probably 3" blade) at security and tells me he's going to run back to the car. Security personnel overheard and approached him asking to see the knife. He shows him and the guy says 'That should be fine' and ushers us thru, no metal detector.

 

[POLY LOVER]

Not sure I follow your line of thinking. I have carried a gun on my hip as an officer in the military, a police officer, a reserve deputy, and a private citizen for almost 30 years. I don't ever recall shooting anyone during or after an argument. Trust me I have had quite a few arguments and even physical confrontations during that time. I am also sure that my grandfather carried a pocket knife that his father gave him, every day from age eight till the day he died (I passed it on to my son). I don't recall him stabbing anyone. I think your statement may be a wee bit overstated.

That's great I'm glad you have restraint, like I said the line between sane and insane is just a (heated )argument away. You have to admit that people with a weapon do feel some extra muscle sometimes. In a place like Epcot where alcohol is plentiful the mix of a weapon and booze usually has bad results. Bottom line you should not be carrying a weapon to an amusement park. Not necessary, not advised.

 

[Bullseye1967]

That's great I'm glad you have restraint, like I said the line between sane and insane is just a (heated )argument away. You have to admit that people with a weapon do feel some extra muscle sometimes. In a place like Epcot where alcohol is plentiful the mix of a weapon and booze usually has bad results. Bottom line you should not be carrying a weapon to an amusement park. Not necessary, not advised.

Now that statement I would agree with 100%. I have never carried a weapon into a theme park, and certainly not anywhere I would be consuming alcohol.

 

[DVC4bestvacations]

I'm taken back that security would allow any knife in the parks regardless of how long the blade is.

 

[Vaughn4380]

So did you keep the knife on you in the park even though it's against the policy?

Haven't read the rest of the thread yet, but I wanted to clear this up. Disney allows small folding pocket knives in their policy. They are not considered weapons under Disney policy. I hand mine to the security guard every time I go through the metal detector and they hand it right back. I have called Disney directly and been told the policy is small folding knives with a blade 3 inches or less are allowed in. I have a thread from a few years ago where I posted this info and others on this board have experienced the same treatment.


ETA: And now that I read the whole thread I see this post:

Went to Epcot earlier this year. My sister's boyfriend realizes he has a pocket knife (probably 3" blade) at security and tells me he's going to run back to the car. Security personnel overheard and approached him asking to see the knife. He shows him and the guy says 'That should be fine' and ushers us thru, no metal detector.

I think Disney has the detectors in place to find guns and maybe bombs. They just are not worried about small folding pocket knives.

 

[Pixieish]

I posted this before but it shocked me and relates to OPs story:

Went to Epcot earlier this year. My sister's boyfriend realizes he has a pocket knife (probably 3" blade) at security and tells me he's going to run back to the car. Security personnel overheard and approached him asking to see the knife. He shows him and the guy says 'That should be fine' and ushers us thru, no metal detector.

I'm taken back that security would allow any knife in the parks regardless of how long the blade is.

Small, non-locking folding knives that are shorter in length than the width of your palm aren't considered weapons per MA state law...FL law is likely similar.