SECURITY CHK AT ARPT TURNS UP A SWITCH BLADE KNIFE THAT MECH HAD IN TOOL BOX.

Narrative

I WAS NOTIFIED AT XA00 AM BY THE COMPANY I WORKED FOR THAT THEY NEEDED SOMEONE TO RECOVER AN ACFT THAT HAD MECHANICAL FAILURE IN NY. MY FLT DEPARTED FROM CVG AT AM45 THAT MORNING. SO I HAD LITTLE TIME TO PREPARE. THE PROBLEM AROSE WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH CHK POINT. THE SECURITY GUARD ASKED TO CHK MY TOOL BOX. I SAID OK. SHE INSPECTED MY SCREWDRIVERS; WRENCHES; CALCULATOR; AND OTHER ITEMS WHEN SHE FOUND AN OLD SWITCH BLADE KNIFE. IN MY TRADE I REQUIRE A KNIFE ON MANY OCCASIONS TO PERFORM MY DUTIES. THERE WAS NO EVIL INTENT UPON MY PART. IT WAS JUST ANOTHER TOOL TO ME; I ALWAYS CARRIED MY TOOL BOX WITH ME; BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MEANS TO LOCK IT. IT WAS ALSO POINTLESS FOR ME TO MAKE THE TRIP IF MY TOOLS DID NOT ARRIVE WITH ME. THE SECURITY GUARD; UPON FINDING THE KNIFE; IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE POLICE. THEY CAME AND ARRESTED ME. LATER THEY TURNED ME LOOSE. THE CASE WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNTY AND DISMISSED. I LATER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY FIELD UNIT REQUESTING AN EXPLANATION. THIS KIND OF SITUATION COULD BE AVOIDED WHEN MECHANICS TRAVEL IF IT IS MANDATORY THAT TOOL BOXES NOT BE PERMITTED AS CARRY-ON'S.