On my flight from London to Cincinatti [US], I went through the usual screening. Just before boarding the flight there was another check. I just carried a purse with my passport, I-20, pencils, wallet, cell phone & keys. The officer asked me if I carried any liquids or any pens or pencils. I said yes to pencils and he asked me to leave them with him. I did that and wondered as to how on earth I could take a flight down with a pencil. [Yeah later Michel argued that one could kill using a pen]. Once the flight took off the airhostess passed landing cards to the passengers and asked us to fill them up. Since we didnt have anything to write with, they provided pens.