No torch lighters on planes?

O

other1

Cigarpassaholic. Mmm.. cigarpassahol.
Joined
May 1, 2004
Messages
1,788
Location
New York City
Well, I am finally back from vacation. Checking in at SFO I had my carry on searched. They found my Colibri lighter and told me that torch lighters aren't allowed onboard. I said, 'sorry. guessI should have checked it' and he actually told me that they would have confiscated it out of checked luggage too, they aren't allowed period. I filled out a form and paid $11 to have them mail it to me. Keep this in mind next time you are flying. Glad it wasn't a really nice Colibri or I would have been pissed (mine is one of the ~$35 ones).
 
Yeah, the last time I flew, I found out the same... had to RUN to the front of the airport and mail it to myself.
 
They consider it a weapon, since most torch lighters you can't blow out and can cause direct bodily harm. The Bic type lighters you can blow it out and most have a safety function in order to light them.

-P-
 
I always carry on a bic and a cheapie double blade cutter. Never had a problem yet. While non-torch lighters and basic cutters are allowed I don't risk any of my expensive stuff. Oh and I also bring my cheapie key ring punch cutter just in case :)
 
Thats what happens to newbies. :p
There was a rather large thread awhile back informing those who fly not to take their lighters. I tryed to provide the link but couldn't find it in search.
 
I wonder if it depends on which departure airport and destination? Last spring I flew out of Salt Lake to Portland with a can of butane and one of my torches in my checked bag and they both arrived without a problem. ???


Maybe they looked and also saw the traveldor of 20 smokes and figured I had a good reason for 'em?
 
I've found that it all depends on the particular screener and how much they care.

I flew JFK->SFO->LAS->SFO with the lighter and had no problems. Only on the last leg did they find it and give me trouble.
 
other1 said:
I've found that it all depends on the particular screener and how much they care.

I flew JFK->SFO->LAS->SFO with the lighter and had no problems. Only on the last leg did they find it and give me trouble.
Click to expand...
Yea ....any flight destined for NYC they will be EXTREMELY stringent......think about it!!!

Welcome back...now where the hell is my scotch?????
 
other1 said:
Well, I am finally back from vacation. Checking in at SFO I had my carry on searched. They found my Colibri lighter and told me that torch lighters aren't allowed onboard. I said, 'sorry. guessI should have checked it' and he actually told me that they would have confiscated it out of checked luggage too, they aren't allowed period. I filled out a form and paid $11 to have them mail it to me. Keep this in mind next time you are flying. Glad it wasn't a really nice Colibri or I would have been pissed (mine is one of the ~$35 ones).
Click to expand...
At least they let you mail it.... they took my Colibri as I left Fl and refused to let me do anything. They did say that if I could have a friend show up befor boarding I could give it to them, but since the plane was boarding and my nearest friends were well over 30 minutes away I was screwed.

At least it was a 15 buck Firebird and not an uber expensive one. They also said that mailing them would be illegal and that's why they refused to let me mail it to myself.
 
Good reminder. I'm going to Canada on a fishing trip tomorrow and would have probably not thought about it and taken the torch. I'll confine the trip to cheap Bic's and cutters.
 
Airports are all across the board on this and its more of not understanding their own rules than anything else. Torch lighters are not allowed as carry on or checked and it doesn't matter if you drain the fuel first. If you take a torch lighter you run the risk of having it taken from you. They do random searches on checked luggage. (Psyktek, you got lucky :thumbs: )

My checked bags are searched by the TSA about half the times I fly. I fly with a cheap bic and cutter. If I want to have one of my torch lighters or cutters at a place I have to fly to I make arrangements with the hotel (or friend/relative) I'm staying with and mail myself a package well in advance.

You can find the Permitted and Prohibited Item list HERE. While it says lighters are allowed for carry on you'll need to go to the bottom of the list for the exception to Torches.
 
Yeah, $11 is absurd, but I really had no other options, and it's cheaper than replacing the lighter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top