knitting while traveling - flying

     Although some knitters I have talked to have had problems flying with their knitting needles, I have never run into issue with it. Mostly those reports came from just after 9/11 happened, and I guess that makes sense since they restricted just about everything at that time. But nowadays it seems like the airlines have gotten wise and made it easy for knitters to take their craft on the plane.
     Bringing my knitting when I go to fly somewhere is something I always look forward to, because I am guaranteed plenty of knitting time. From the ride to the airport (especially if you end up taking the bus), to the standing in line at the ticket counter (though how often does one even need to do this anymore with online check-in), to the part after you get through security and have to wait around at your gate for departure. Not to mention the flying time, and then waiting at baggage claim. All in all this can add up to 4-5+ hours of pure knitting enjoyment.
     The best part is the period of time after you have boarded the plane when they ask you to turn off all your electronics. If you don't have a book or something like knitting, you are forced to sit there and do nothing, with nothing to listen to but the flight safety info.  Not only do I have something to do during this time, but the knitting relaxes me during take off.
     Choosing which projects to bring can be tricky, since you often have limited space in your carry on. The trick here is to bring some of the more challenging knitting projects, since you know you will be sitting there for hours at a time, with very little distraction and plenty of white noise. Barring any major turbulence, the plane ride tends to be smoother than on the bus, and once you can lower your tray table you have a little more space to spread out and dig in.
     Here are my tips for setting yourself up once in your seat:

• Pick the window seat. That way people getting up won't cause you to shift your whole set up.  If you can't score the window view, then prepare yourself by packing an easier project.
• Use the seat pocket to hold your yarn, preferably rolled into a center-pull ball. That way your yarn won't wander off under the seats.
• Lower the tray table and have your pattern in front of you. When working on patterns that you have to keep looking at, this is the nice part of flying.  
• Choose projects that you can use circular needles on. Though you can get away with the double-pointed needles more easily on the plane than the bus, they are still difficult to pick up off the floor if you drop them due to limited space.
• Make use of the seat pocket for your other tools, just make sure you double-check it before you get off the plane so that you don't leave precious things behind!

Happy Travels!