Back before 9/11 I was travelling with a co-worker to the U.S. for some work. I had a small pocketknife in my briefcase which I had forgotten about (very small, as in the blade is about an inch long). He had a pair of needle nose pliers in his. Guess who's item was confiscated by security and who's was okay to take on.
Also reminds me of a buddy who flies for one of our airlines. Security took away his nail clippers and told him they could be used to take control of the aircraft.
