The whole security nightmare at airports these days is enough to drive anyone mad. The seemingly endless restrictions which mean that our travel has become just that bit more uncomfortable, almost tempt you into disobeying.
I for one draw the line at a long haul flight without lip salve - it can't be done and I'm not going to blow up a plane with a tiny tube of chapstick - so I will admit that I have smuggled one on, deep inside my coat pocket to slyly apply during the flight when no one is watching.
But I didn't realise how far this rebellion had gone until I overheard two American tourists chatting about it...
The lady, a rather large over-60s-type, complete with matching tracksuit, sneakers, visor cap and 'fanny' pack - ie hardly your typical suicide bomber profile - admitted to her friend that she now carried a razor blade with her when travelling because these "darn restrictions" prevented her from carrying scissors on a plane.
And what did she need the scissors for, you may well ask? Well, as it turns out, for her patchwork. Perhaps needlepoint will become the next taboo on planes, you never know what extremists will think of next.
Can you imagine a pilot being held to ransom by a threatening bedspread?
