BAGGAGE RULES | Carry-on guidelines

As a broad rule, you can't take anything into an airplane passenger cabin that could be used as a weapon. The rules for checked baggage are more liberal, although explosive or flammable items generally are forbidden anywhere on the plane. For a list of forbidden and permitted items, visit www.tsatraveltips.us. Some trouble spots: Scissors: Metal ones with pointed tips can't be carried on, but ones with plastic or metal blunt tips are allowed. Don't forget to scour grooming and sewing kits for scissors. Swiss Army-type knives: Knives are forbidden in carry-ons. Exceptions are round-bladed, butter and plastic cutlery. Razor-type blades: Box cutters, utility knives and razors that aren't in a cartridge are forbidden in carry-ons but allowed in checked bags. Safety razors can go in either. Knitting needles: These are permitted in carry-on or checked bags, the Transportation Security Administration says on its Web site. Then it adds: "However, there is a possibility that the needles can be perceived as a possible weapon by the TSA screener." Sports equipment: Passengers can't carry on baseball bats, hockey sticks, ski poles or "any other equipment determined by the screener to be dangerous, such as ice skates," according to the TSA. Source: Los Angeles Times