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Last post 21 years ago by rayder1. 16 replies replies.
butane lighters and airport security
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aberdeen Offline
#1 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 6:37 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-1999
Posts: 741
my last attempt at this post went to an internet black hole, so I will try again. Last week leaving Denver I got my triple flame colibri through airport security with no problems except for long hard examinations by security. But on the way back leaving Sacramento, I noticed the screener had a most odd look seeing it in his xray, and when the tray came out picked it up ever so gingerly and really looked baffled. But it was fine except butane ligthers aren't allowed at this airport. So I had to go back in the baggage check in line and check my carry on with the lighter. Then on the way back through security there was a panic as an old lady forgot she had a pair of scissors in her check in. I am serious these security people looked terrified, and were running around headless chickens. Meanwhile all sorts of illegals easily get through our borders doing who knows what kind of carrying ons.
Charlie Offline
#2 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 6:54 AM EST
Joined: 06-16-2002
Posts: 39,751
I had my Colibri taken/stolen/apprehended/impounded/and added to the scrap bin at the security gate in San Jose two weeks ago. I had taken it with me from Orange Co, California but on my return the "brilliant" screener had a rather puzzled look on his face as he inspected the "weapon" that was in my tray with my keys, glasses and cell phone! After looking it over like a monkey inspecting a shiny object, he had the supervisor come over and she promply took the lighter and in "English" told me that it was contraband and would be destroyed, but I could check it onto the flight if I wanted to do so and that meant going back through the lines again at the ticket counter and checking my lighter! It was Friday and anyone who has flown out of San Jose on Friday afternoon will know that the lines are long and slow, so I just let the lighter be taken to be destroyed or whatever they do with them! It is really something to see all the hoopla over a lighter and the stupidity that is checking us for weapons! God help us! Charlie
bullwinkle Offline
#3 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 7:17 AM EST
Joined: 05-03-2001
Posts: 1,206
As long as the light doesn't have any kind of built in cutter, and is completely empty, then they (security peoples) can NOT take it from you...I had that argument with them on my way to New York in July..
SteveS Offline
#4 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 7:18 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I've heard similar horror stories ... having not flown since August of last year, I called the airline customer service department yesterday in anticipation of my flight tomorrow and inquired about the policies regarding my lighter and cutter ... the problem, I learned, is that it's up to individual inspectors whether your lighter is viewed as harmless or as a lethal weapon ... having observed long ago that most of the checkers in the airports rival the employees at burger joint drive-thrus and have an apparent IQ that is somewhere south of "Chimp" on the IQ meter, I realized that it would be best to pack my 'lethal weapons' in my checked luggage ... thanks for reminding me ... I lost a good cutter a while back and have only had this new Xicar for a week ... I'd have hated like hell to have to let one of those morons take it home with him ...
plabonte Offline
#5 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 7:21 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2000
Posts: 2,131
I'm not that familiar with these lighters. But rather then having it confiscated is there a way (other then to leave it running) to dump the butane so it is no longer a threat?
Charlie Offline
#6 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 7:55 AM EST
Joined: 06-16-2002
Posts: 39,751
The "Rules" are different from terminal to terminal and the McDonalds reject can make the decision on his/her own sound judgement (questionable at best)! My advice do not take lighters and cutters through the security checkpoint!~ Charlie
Fubar69 Offline
#7 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 8:21 AM EST
Joined: 04-02-2001
Posts: 325
Plabonte...you just empty it by depressing the filler valve (usually on the bottom) with the end of a pen or something small enough to fit in there and the gas will come out. But I would believe that the part about putting it in your checked luggage would be the best and safest policy.

Charlie..what if we don't go thru checkpoint Charlie?
GetYourOwn Offline
#8 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 9:52 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
These checks are quite rediculous. But like others have said put the lighter in your check-in luggage. Or don't take a lighter and buy a bic at the nearest store when you arrive. $.99 for a cheapie. I wouldn't empty your lighter because the person that you get will probably still take it away. The screeners are probably not smart enough to make one of them light anyway.
Charlie Offline
#9 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 10:52 AM EST
Joined: 06-16-2002
Posts: 39,751
The screeners ae a bit like the Ape Creatures at the beginning of "2001 A Space Odyssey" totally confused and stupid! Charlie
MIKEY13 Offline
#10 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 3:39 PM EST
Joined: 06-29-2001
Posts: 9
Having worked 15 years in the airline industry I can tell you that the wages paid to the airport screeners attracted only the retired and desperate. The threat of good security was what prevailed in this country. Any attempts at increasing security was seen as an inconvenience and promptly shot down by members of Congress or the White House. We lived in a free society, and were able to travel with minimal obstacles. Any other way was seen as a HUGE inconvenience. After 9/11 the American public was agreeable to some inconveniences in order to facilitate an increased security presense, but these changes will take a long time to implement. The entire pay structure, accountability structure, and training structure for our screeners will need to be revamped. Until then, expect widespread coonfusion. I recommend what many people here have already said. Check your lighters and cutters until further notice.
jgjam Offline
#11 Posted: Fri, Aug 16 2002, 3:48 PM EST
Joined: 05-16-2002
Posts: 909
Technically I believe that FAA regulations prohibit any lighters on flights... full or empty... in carryon or checked baggage. Check the merchandise category on cbid and you'll notice that they have to ship all lighters by ground. Everyone I know does this now.

However... you may still be able to check your lighter in your baggage without trouble and I know that my boss has flown with his in his carryon after he emptied the butane out before going thru the security checkpoint. This would probably vary from airport to airport from my experience and I would not take my good lighters thru in carryon. I just generally travel without and purchase a lighter once I reach my destination to save any unnecessary problems at the security checkpoints... as several have already pointed out the quality of this personnel leaves one somewhat bewildered how they would recognize a terrorist let alone what to do with one if they by chance got lucky and picked one out.
Mr_Vance Offline
#12 Posted: Sun, Aug 18 2002, 12:29 PM EST
Joined: 08-11-2002
Posts: 165
Suggestion: ENCOURAGE everyone to carry a loaded firearm on the plane with them. What idiot would attempt to hijack a plan full of armed patriotic citizens? Politicaly incorrect, but am I the only one who thinks this makes sense?
Mr_Vance Offline
#13 Posted: Sun, Aug 18 2002, 12:33 PM EST
Joined: 08-11-2002
Posts: 165
Oops, that should be a PLANE full of citizens. Also, to keep this post cigar related, I suggest you pack your gun in a cigar box.
rookie139 Offline
#14 Posted: Sun, Aug 18 2002, 12:36 PM EST
Joined: 03-02-2000
Posts: 2,149
maybe this should be moved to the political board..Mr. Vance, I believe what you are saying is any person who is QUALIFIED and who is LEGALLY able to carry a loaded firearm should be able to carry one on board...It's a nice thought but not really logical...A lot of people get drunk during the flight and there are many cases of air rage (or whatever the POS media calls it) occurring..I do believe that the pilots (as long as they are qualified) should definitely be able to carry a loaded firearm in the cockpit though (maybe an AR-14 or other quality rifle with a large capacity magazine)..Unfortunately, I know of people that are legally able to own a firearm that shouldn't be able to because of mental status or problems with keeping their anger in check...There probably isn't any one foolproof solution...I am a big supporter of the Second Amendment BTW (in case I am labeled a "liberal"..LOL)
aberdeen Offline
#15 Posted: Mon, Aug 19 2002, 6:48 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-1999
Posts: 741
How often do you hear of someone with a concealed handgun license committed a crime? Never! And believe me with the anti gun media if such a crime occurred it would be all over the papers, conversely when a gun is used to stop a crime, the crime itself is ignored or the gun aspect is ignored. Such is the case recently when the punk who shot people on a college campus. In all the papers I read, the account given is that college students surrounded him and overcame him, no mention of a gun, but in fact the students used guns to make the punk surrender. As far as allowing licensed gun owners to take their weapons on a plane, I could think of worse ideas.
rookie139 Offline
#16 Posted: Mon, Aug 19 2002, 9:32 AM EST
Joined: 03-02-2000
Posts: 2,149
I can also think of worse ideas...If that ever was considered, then they would have to not sell alcohol on the plane...I don't know of any concealed carry people that carry their guns in a bar..A big no-no
rayder1 Offline
#17 Posted: Tue, Aug 20 2002, 2:50 PM EST
Joined: 06-02-2002
Posts: 2,226
Toss a bic in your carry on. If it passes, it passes. If they grab it, you are out a buck or less. <
99% of the time it will just pass thru. Now enough metal stuff in a bic to attract attention. Now the big box of ISOM's on the bottom of the carry-on will get you more interest.
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