Personal Protection Plan for Dealing with an Emergency While Riding on an Amtrak Train

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…Since a tactical pen is a ball point pen, it is not classified as a weapon and can be taken through an airport TSA checkpoint and, we assume, be legally carried onboard an Amtrak train.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/tactical-penMentioning discretion with these too at least with TSA and commercial aircraft. If you get one that is not all tacticool looking and mix it in you bags with other writing instruments, you may have a better chance of success or whatever other idea you come up with for that.
https://www.amtrak.com/prohibited-itemsWhen I read Amtrak rules, I don’t see where it would be prohibited!

 

[caravanman]

I tend to use a non tactical pen when I travel. It is good to look back over notes made years later.
I find an ordinary pen and notebook seems to provide a calming mood when I am out and about, so I don't tend to worry so much about disasters befalling me...

 

[Eric in East County]

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/tactical-penMentioning discretion with these too at least with TSA and commercial aircraft. If you get one that is not all tacticool looking and mix it in you bags with other writing instruments, you may have a better chance of success or whatever other idea you come up with for that.
https://www.amtrak.com/prohibited-itemsWhen I read Amtrak rules, I don’t see where it would be prohibited!

There are tactical pens made by Smith & Wesson and Uzi and have the brand names clearly marked on them. These DO cause some concern when seen by TSA inspectors!

 

[MARC Rider]

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/tactical-penMentioning discretion with these too at least with TSA and commercial aircraft. If you get one that is not all tacticool looking and mix it in you bags with other writing instruments, you may have a better chance of success or whatever other idea you come up with for that.
https://www.amtrak.com/prohibited-itemsWhen I read Amtrak rules, I don’t see where it would be prohibited!

Yeah, but from the list provided, it seems that Amtrak prohibits even folding pocket knives in carry-on baggage.

 

[Barb Stout]

Mylar emergency blankets are inexpensive and take up very little space. Good to keep a few in the glovebox for winter driving anyway. I don't worry so much about the windows, since many are designed to facilitate removal. I have a small rescue tool in the car, it incorporates the carbide tip to break windows and a blade to cut seatbelts.

Do mylar blankets make much noise when adjusting?

 

[PVD]

I'm not sure what that references, the ones have are in little plastic pouches about the size of a wallet. I don't think they are meant to be folded up and reused.

 

[joelkfla]

I'm not sure what that references, the ones have are in little plastic pouches about the size of a wallet. I don't think they are meant to be folded up and reused.

I think Barb's asking whether they go "snap, crackle, pop" like aluminum foil when you move around under them or pull them up.

 

[caravanman]

Slightly amusing to imagine being in a situation where one needs an emergency blanket, but then is concerned in case it is noisy to use?

 

[PVD]

They sure do look like aluminum foil. Hard to believe something that thin does such a good job keeping body heat in. I don't think the intended audience moves around too much.

 

[flitcraft]

Actually, those emergency mylar blankets do work. I've long kept one in my emergency earthquake box in the trunk of my car. Never needed it for an earthquake yet, but I got caught in a major traffic jam in a snowstorm in Seattle where I was reluctant to keep my car running--carbon monoxide and all that--and the blanket was surprisingly effective. I recommend them for emergency kits...

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

I don’t actually have a kit for train travel, but my overnight bag has a Mylar blanket, light sticks, a active bleeding pack in a compartment

So I guess maybe I do have a kit…

 

[west point]

Great about Mylar blankets. Will buy one for next winter trip to North USA or Canada.

 

[PVD]

They aren't designed to make you comfortable, they are meant to keep you from freezing to death, and they are pretty good at that. And in a remote area, the reflectivity can be spotted by air rescuers.