http://www.skatersguide.com/articles/displ...y.asp?article=9

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Airlines Put Speedskaters' Blades on Ice
Thursday, October 11, 2001

BY JANET RAE BROOKS
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

No blades on board.

(This article was taken from the Salt Lake Tribune since it is relevant globally and many of you may be interested in it. Their website is at http://www.sltrib.com/ ).

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., globe-trotting speedskaters are no longer welcome to carry their treasured blades in carry-on luggage.

"They just don't want any sharp objects getting on board aircraft," said Bill Brusik, supervisor of the Salt Lake Federal Aviation Administration security office. "These blades are about 24 inches long, and they're real sharp."

Skaters must now pack the blades in their checked bags. Which means they might lose them. Or the fragile blades, painstakingly preened down to the thousandth of an inch with exactly the right bend and rocker, could get knocked around in luggage handling.

That could spell disaster. [snip]
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you know, the funny thing is, I understand skaters wanting their skates on the plane. It's so easy for luggage to be lost after all.

When I went to Amsterdam, the only piece of my hockey equipment I carried on the plane with me were my skates. Why? Because I've worn them for years, and they are broken in and molded to my feet. all other equipment can be borrowed/bought and it doesn't make as much a difference. But breaking in skates is hard work.

I kind of figured this would happen though. Big sharp things on planes just won't cut it anymore.

Trevor