The large plexiglas bin of confiscated items at the international security check-point in the Glasgow airport is a hoot. It looks like a zillion pairs of scissors have been nabbed.

During the security questioning at the ticket counter, I'm always up front with them. "No, there's nothing in my carry-on that would be mistaken for a weapon, but there is a pocket-knife and a dirk in my checked luggage." I always advise them the dirk is sheathed and wrapped in a double layer of bubble-wrap and I've yet to have a problem.