Finally arrived at Zaragoza-Delicias Estacion from Malaga-Maria Zambrono Railway Estacion. It has certainly been an interesting and laughable encounter at Madrid Chamartin Estacion and almost like a lesson in Knife anatomy 101.
Before we begin on “Knife Anatomy 101”, I am sure many would wonder just why I was carrying a fruit knife.
After traveling to various locations and staying in different accommodations, I learned that not all places will let you borrow a fruit knife or a sharp knife.
Check this out! Along Joo Chiat Road in Singapore, a shop owner attempted to charge me SGD5.00 to cut my apple. I bought a large apple from him for SGD1.20, intending to share it among three people.
Since we were traveling without check-in bags, any sharp items were a no-go —don’t want to end up in a travel horror story! And let me tell you, it would be downright gross to chomp on half an apple and then give the other half to the next unsuspecting soul. I mean, talk about sharing is caring gone wrong!
Madrid Chamartin Estacion
If you need to transit at Madrid Chamartin Estacion, do be aware that this is the interchange for trains, metro and bus services. Yes, all under one roof – in one complex.
Even though traveling from Malaga, southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, many would assume that, as Zaragoza is part of Spain, it will be exempt from luggage checks. Be ready for the surprise that the security checks were much more stringent.
This time, the security checks have leveled up! It’s not just about patting down passengers; now they’re diving into hand luggage and—wait for it—cargo bags! Yes, you heard me right, “cargo bags.” Just imagine the scene: a guy on a jam-packed train, wrestling with his cargo bags like he’s auditioning for a circus act, all in a quest to dig out a weapon. Talk about a dramatic show of arm strength!
I appreciate the security officers for preventing delays at the checkpoint and checking my credentials if I am a traveling chef. Yes, our fruit knife was found in the cargo bag with our small cutting board. The officers were understanding about our lack of knowledge regarding their knife policy. We were taken to a private area to retrieve the knife, and the officer made sure we had enough time for our train before giving us a brief lesson on knives!
Knife Anatomy 101
At Madrid Chamartin Estacion, the blade of the knife must be within 6cm. Obviously, my fruit knife was confiscated as a result of this.
Translated as:
Access Control
Dear customers,
For your safety, suitcases and carry-on luggage, as well as outerwear must be screened by radioscopy.
Maximum size allowed for travel
- Pocket knives and knives with a blade that is no longer than 6cm from the rim or top of the handle to the tip.
- Scissors with blades that do not exceed 6cm in length from the axis.
Tip: Not all Airbnb accommodations provide sharp knives or choppers. The sharpness of most knives are comparable to a steak-knife. If traveling through Spain, best to measure that the blade of your knives are within 6cm.
Carefully looking at the Knife Policy, the blade measures between the Point to the Heel.
