CM....
Well if the task of taking knives from your unit took hours to complete it was down to your unit.......!!!! Unable to read and digest the Movement Instruction which is issued to assist in your deployment.
As the RAF VC10 is only capable of carrying a maximum passenger load of 129 troops in a standard seating configuration, there was no way it would take as long as you state.
The rules are not just for MOD aircraft , but are the same for civilian aircraft, instigated in the UK by the CAA or in USA by the FAA.
Furthermore on the subject of the size of blade, that is a Police matter. It is an offence to carry a blade of more than 3ins in public.
As most pongo's tend to go away on Exercises tooled up like an extra from a Rambo movie, its no surprise you will be stopped by the Movements Staff and the RAF Police whose duty it is to ensure Flight Safety....!!!!!!
The list of items not allowed to be carried on aircraft is rather comprehensive, however, there are rules in force which may allow items to be carried if they are packed in accordance with current safety regulations.
If you dont know the rules, ask !!! It might be a dumb question which has been asked before, however it may not of been...
After all, VC10 takes off fine with 129 exercise troops....plus 9 crew
Pte Bloggs has left his Coleman stove in his bergan, not declared it, serious of events combine to ignite stove...
RESULT =
134 Dead Aircraft lost...
WHY.....?????
Thick Squaddie thought HE KNEW BETTER !!!!
I rest my case....