I have recently once again fallen in love with fountain pens, both for calligraphy, and for their smooth beautiful writing and ink colours.
I’m taking a domestic flight and was worried about customs – they have strict liquid standards (though my pens only have a 1ml capacity) – but I’m thinking… if the pen was filled with poison, it would be the perfect weapon **stab stab* but at least on JetStar, mid 2014, it should be ok.
Gabriel: at 15:07:15
Hello, how can I help you with your Jetstar booking?
you: at 15:07:27
Hello, I am taking a domestic flight in 2 weeks, and I want to know if I can take 3 fountain pens in my hand luggage~
Gabriel: at 15:08:13
Hi there! Let me check that for you. One moment please.
Gabriel: at 15:09:17
Thank you for waiting!
Gabriel: at 15:09:46
Yes, you may bring fountain pens as carry-on baggage.
you: at 15:10:04
Ok ~ thank you ~ ~
Just take note:
Planes usually only pressurise the cabin at 6,000 feet or so, so while the plane is taking off – the air pressure drops quickly – fountain pens can leak, since the air in the ink capsule is trying to get out, and the easiest way out is through the nib.
You should take these precautions:
- If you use glass bottles of ink with a converter – fill the pen up full before leaving, so there will be less air in the converter
- Keep the pens nib up for a few hours before take off, if possible, so that the ink can make its way out of the nib – you can keep it in a shirt pocket or small pocket of a hand luggage bag
- Keep it in a zip-lock bag, just in case it leaks, and in case the people working in customs demand that any liquids are sealed in a bag
- When opening it for the first time after ascent – open it above something on which it is ok to get ink