It does not matter if you are about to board your first-ever flight or are taking a usual trip for business or leisure; there are some things you need to be aware of. Out of those many things, you need to know whether can you take felt tip pens on a plane.
A felt pen is an item we consider to be extremely common, but there is a likely chance for it to be not allowed to be carried on a plane. A felt pen is a typical household commodity that we may just pack for medicinal or functional reasons, as it is a standard product you almost always find buried in your purse.
So the question we will explore today in our pens on a plane guide is- can you take felt tip pens on a plane?
Can You Take Felt Tip Pens On A Plane?
According to the guidelines formulated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the primary authority with jurisdiction over airport matters, you can carry your felt tip pens on a plane.
The sweet and short answer regarding felt tip pens permits you to take along your favorite and much desired, excellent felt tip professional pen with you either in your checked luggage or your carry-on. The mode of luggage for the felt tip pen depends on your comfort. 
Whether the felt tip pen is placed in a checked or hand-carried bag, rest assured you are good to go. However, you must ensure that the felt tip pen will not cause any problems, such as exploding or the ink leaking at the airport security or during the flight.
TSA Rules:
Any granted permission by the TSA never comes unaccompanied by strict rules and regulations that are only made to be adhered to. The case of taking a felt tip pen on a plane is no exception, and TSA has set out a set of guidelines for all passengers who wish to travel with their felt pen.
You must pay close attention to all the TSA rules that we state following in front of you to avoid having a negative experience on the flight or during the airport security screening.
Guidelines For Pens:
No comprehensive document or a thorough guideline formulated by the TSA has ever stated that a pen is prohibited. Regardless some general guidelines are presented for the passenger, and to abide by them is for your good and safety.
- Pack all kinds of pens in your carry-on bags for easy, quick, and convenient access.
- All felt tip pens taken along on the plane should be capped, and if needed, the caps should be taped so that they do not fall off during transit.
- Pens are preferred to be traveled in the passenger’s carry-on bags.
- During security scanning, it is not required for the traveler to pull out all their felt tip pens for them to undergo individual scans.
- Packing felt tip pens in checked luggage is also allowed without problems.
Guidelines For Felt Tip Pen Inks:
Some felt tip pens can be refilled through ink, or the cartridge to be renewed through replacement with a new one.
If the case for your felt tip pens is the former one whereby they can be refilled, and for that purpose, you are carrying ink along with you on the plane, then you must be knowledgeable about certain guidelines that guard carrying an inkpot on a plane.
Liquid inks for felt tip pens have a set of rules to follow, known as the “three-one-one.” The three in this rule set specify that an ink pot containing 3.4 ounces is only permissible on a plane. On a conversion scale, any ink pot with 100 ml of liquid ink can be carried with you.
Subsequently, the ink has to be placed in a single and quart-size plastic bag that has a transparent appearance and easily allows the security officers to inspect the product from the outside.
Lastly, you can only carry one bag containing ink with you on any flight while taking along felt-tip ink pens.
Tips For Traveling With Felt Tip Pens:
Tip #1: Suitable Storage:
You do not necessarily have to place your felt tip pens inside the luggage; instead, opt for a small storage bag with enough zips to accommodate the pens, holding them upright and preventing them from getting lost.
This way, keeping felt tip pens safe and standing is easier, preventing leaks.
Tip #2: Beforehand Refill:
Refilling your felt tip pens beforehand is an ideal and the most handy tip. This way, you can finish more writing without worrying about running out of ink or carrying additional ink bottles.
Secondly, filled felt tip pens with ink have less air; therefore, there is a less likely chance for the varying air pressure to affect them.
Tip #3: Pens In A Carry-On:
This shall go without saying; despite reiterating ourselves, we urge you never to place your felt tip pens in your checked luggage.
During transit, the checked luggage gets shaken, frozen, dropped, squished, and undergoes unspeakable things, which is disastrous for pens. For the safety of your felt tip pens, never keep them in checked luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Are felt tip pens allowed on a plane?
Yes, felt tip pens can be carried along on a plane.
How to avoid the cap of the felt tip pen loosening?
To avoid the cap of your felt tip pen from loosening and falling out, tape the outside of the cap.
Can I take a felt tip pen in my hand luggage?
It is ideal to carry a felt tip pen in your hand luggage.
Can I take ink along on a plane?
Ink is allowed on the plane, but remember to follow the three-one-one TSA rule.
