[yafbum]

I'm quite sure that if you carried the same in luggage or on your body (as opposed to _in_ your body), it would get confiscated.

[dghlsakjg]

Most roller bags have 20cm rods built into the handles.

The TSA explicitly allows hand tools up to 17cm (7 in.)

I think that at this point the TSA is more interested in explosives since hardened cockpit doors, and passenger willingness to intervene have pretty much killed takeover style hijackings.

[beefield]

If it was found, that is. If the metal detector does not see it, how do you think it was supposed to be found?

[yafbum]

TSA gates at most large airports that I've been at use backscatter and can detect objects that you carry. A rod anywhere on you would be seen.