12 ms·

Similar story here. I'm a smoker and usually do international/inside-US flights on a monthly basis. In 7-8 years the only lighters I recall losing have been in

Similar story here. I'm a smoker and usually do international/inside-US flights on a monthly basis. In 7-8 years the only lighters I recall losing have been in my home country (where pat downs and having your bags opened are a common thing). Curiously, I haven't had a TSA line longer than 45 minutes flying from places in NY, CA or FL (I mostly flight late evening/disgustingly-early morning though) in the last few months. PS: laxatives, you mention being treated like a human. Why not help by not referring to TSA employees as "dropouts"?

praneshp 10y ago
I think the parent commenter was using "dropout" as an adjective, not a derogatory term.
laxatives 10y ago
FWIW I've had agents inspect my bad and allow me to keep lighters. I've only had lighters confiscated on a handful of international flights, and never in the US. Yeah you're right its not fair to call them dropouts.
dionidium 10y ago
Lighters are not forbidden. I was told to toss out all but one when coming back into the U.S. from Canada, once, but that's about as far as it's ever gone. I travel a fair amount and almost always with one or more lighters.
- occamrazor 10y ago
  One can carry one lighter (and no more than one), of the gas type (no Zippo's) and must be carried on the person (not in the hand baggage). Having said that, these rules are usually not strictly enforced.
  - enos 10y ago
    That's a regulation I support, because unlike toothpaste it's a legit fire hazard. A broken lighter that shorts something out can get nasty quickly. One lighter on a person means a problem will be relatively small and quickly noticed.
  - joelhooks 10y ago
    I carry 2-3 lighters in my backpack at any given time and fly regularly. Have never had to remove them or had them confiscated in the last 4 years.
  - dionidium 10y ago
    That explains why I was asked to toss out my extras. By the way, this document says that Zippos are fine: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/airline_passengers_lighters_faq.pdf https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/as...

praneshp 10y ago

I think the parent commenter was using "dropout" as an adjective, not a derogatory term.

laxatives 10y ago

FWIW I've had agents inspect my bad and allow me to keep lighters. I've only had lighters confiscated on a handful of international flights, and never in the US. Yeah you're right its not fair to call them dropouts.

dionidium 10y ago

Lighters are not forbidden. I was told to toss out all but one when coming back into the U.S. from Canada, once, but that's about as far as it's ever gone. I travel a fair amount and almost always with one or more lighters.

occamrazor 10y ago
One can carry one lighter (and no more than one), of the gas type (no Zippo's) and must be carried on the person (not in the hand baggage). Having said that, these rules are usually not strictly enforced.
- enos 10y ago
  That's a regulation I support, because unlike toothpaste it's a legit fire hazard. A broken lighter that shorts something out can get nasty quickly. One lighter on a person means a problem will be relatively small and quickly noticed.
- joelhooks 10y ago
  I carry 2-3 lighters in my backpack at any given time and fly regularly. Have never had to remove them or had them confiscated in the last 4 years.
- dionidium 10y ago
  That explains why I was asked to toss out my extras. By the way, this document says that Zippos are fine: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/airline_passengers_lighters_faq.pdf https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/as...