Anybody had a chance to travel Europe with RS new picnic set?

I haven't used the picnic set. But Rick's store says: "The corkscrew and knives in this set are designed to comply with carry-on requirements." You can see a photo here http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=126&id=369The corkscrew does not have a knife blade and is now permitted by US TSA, a year or two ago they relaxed the previous flat prohibition on corkscrews as long as it does not have a knife blade. Plastic knives are specifically mentioned in the TSA website as being okay.Here's the TSA list: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#4[edit] However, note that Frank II says (below) that corkscrews are not permitted in Europe. To simplify, I simply pack a corkscrew in my checked bag.

We have traveled with similar items except the plastic knife with no problem. I think it is totally dependent on the inspector. We recently had a 2.7 oz deodorant stick taken because it "looked" too big. When we point to the label clearly showing the 2.7 oz, he just shook his head and said, "too big." I believe cork screws are now permitted. Give it a try. You can always replace the knives later.

I think I will just go for it. I have looked over the TSA list of prohibited items before and I did miss the exception of plastic knives so thanks for pointing that out!
I'll be doing alot of flights between countries so I'll be seeing alot of security. Just didn't want to get pulled aside and questioned in a foreign country.
Thanks!

TSA will allow the corkscrew....most European countries won't.

As an example, the CDG (Paris airport website) says no corkscrews.

Scroll down to "Prohibited Items:"

EasyCDG

Same with Heathrow:

Heathrow Security

Note that Frank II has found that corkscrews (of any type, I presume) are not allowed as carry-ons at CDG and (presumably) some other European airports. Different regs than the US. What I do to make the issue go away is to simply pack the corkscrew in my checked bag. Then, no worries.

I will be carry on only this trip and in many European countries, so I'll forego the corkscrew and buy it by the glass instead.

I think the RS picnic set is a waste of money.

Take some good quality plastic ware (forks/knives/spoons)-- you know the kind people buy for parties, not the junky ones you get at styro-dependent take-out restaurants. I don't throw them out, but if they get lost or broken (or if your carry-on bag is bulging for the return trip) you can leave them behind sans the regret of parting with eleven bucks worth of plastic spoons.

I noticed the corkscrew appears to be the same standard cheapie logo corkscrew you can pick up anywhere. I doubt, really doubt, it was specially designed. So, just take a cheap corkscrew from home or goodwill (that you wouldn't be sad to lose). If you have to give it up to TSA, it won't break the set of matching RS logo plastic.

If you can't get it through, it's cheaper to buy a corkscrew at the same hardware store that you buy your paring knife for the trip.

If you can get it through, then you can leave it behind with no worries for the return trip.

I buy a swiss army knife when I hit the ground and couple it with a plastic fork. That pretty much covers my permanent picnic kit. Everything else is improvised (Newspaper for placemat, paper napkins, single serving drinks, mustard in a tube).

I usually buy a corkscrew in Europe. A cheap one pays for itself with the first bottle, and if I'm going to be there for several weeks, I know there will be more than one bottle! After a long day of traipsing around sightseeing, a relaxing glass of wine in the hotel room is a nice prelude to dinner.

I would just buy a corkscrew there. Souvenir after you get back home. Just put it in your checked luggage (if you have any)....

I bought the picnic set -- but sent it back when I saw how big it was! I packed a small ziplock baggie with 2 sets of good-quality plastic silverware in his-&-her colors, a bandana (tablecloth), a sour cream lid (mini cutting board), a few moist towelette packets, & a paper towel/rubber bands to sheathe the cheap knife I'll buy there. I'll also pick up a cheap corkscrew there & leave it behind when I come home.

Get two of these...they can be found at Wal Mart and camping stores:

Spork

I always travel with one. They're about $2 each.

Those sporks are great!

And as previous posters have said, getting a corkscrew through a European check person is a subjective thing... no law against bottle openers though.

When I go to London, I just buy the 24 piece fork-spoon-knife plastic silverware set at Tescos for 37p and the 92p pack of paper plates. Easy and cheap.

If you are referring to the picnic set in the round plastic tube I say don't leave without it. We traveled by train & plane and never had a problem and it came in really handy.

We took our own full picninc set, and picnic'd lots. Just got back. Honestly, besides the napkins, the only thing we used was the knife, and a small handkerchief as a picnic blanket.

I don't know that/think that the Rick picnic set is worth it.