I do not fly much, however this spring I may be flying a few time, to Florida and to Baltimore. I too was concerned regarding cutters and lighters including the fact that my travel humidor is a metal one. I just want as little hassel as possible. So since I like a punch usually, I will punch my cigars before I leave. In regards to a lighter, when I go to Florida I will place it into my check-in bags. For Baltimore I will most likely only have only a carry-on, so I will be asked to open the metal humidor and as far as a lighter goes I will have to light-up with what can I get while I am there. Unless there are any suggestions.

W2VQY

Just pick up a Colibri with a regular flame on it. Not the torch. Keep it in your pocket till the Air Port security and then toss it in the bucket for them to see or put it in your carry on. You won't have any problems with a regular flame lighter and there usually cheaper than the torchs. As far as the cutter. I put a cheap Guillitene cutter in with my toiletries. And I went to Wal Mart and bought a 2 dollar Punch from there tobacco section. It works and if It gets confiscated Ohh well I'm out 2 bucks.

ajeroth

I fly a lot for work and I like to take cigars so I'm pretty familiar with the drill. Also my home airport is BWI. You can take up to 2 "disposable" butane lighters either in your carry-on or on your person; or 2 packs of matches. The cigars carried on should be OK but be prepared to open your case. Of course on any given day one of the inspectors may have a bug up his ass and decide that those rules aren't good enough. If you object you will at the least miss your flight. Stupidity and petty authority can be hazardous to your travel plans.

Based on my recent flight experiences, my advice would be to not take along any lighers or cutters that you cant afford to lose. I lost my favorite cutter and lighter to airport security once. Anyway, I would do the following:

a.) Pack your cutter or punch in your checked bags. You should be allowed to bring them on the plane, but I would not chance it unless it is a cheap cutter.

b.) Dont put any kind of lighter in your checked bags.

c.) Dont try to carry a Butane torch ligher on the plane. It usually wont get past security. Take a Bic instead or pick up a cheap butane lighter at your destination. ...or just use matches when you get to your destination.

Again, this advice is from my personal experience. You can always view the latest rules on the www.tsa.gov website, but keep in mind that is usually up to the discretion of the security person if they want to confiscate any of your items. It sucks, but that is usually the way it works.

Thanks guys for the info. I plan to play it safe. No lighters and no cutters. I'll punch or cut before I leave. As for the case, will I will have to open it or put in the checked bags. I will post you all a Postcard when I get back.

W2VQY

Have a good time!!!

As for your humi, I would carry it on if you have the room. At least you dont have to worry about security pilfering through your cigars without you being present. They'll make you open it up, but it should not be a problem.

I have a round metal tube that I carry cigars in. They peek inside, but thats about it. Never had any problems.

They will occasionally pilfer thru your checked bags without you present. I've seen several little flyers in my luggage after I get home attesting to and explaining the search.

Security checks and rules do seem to vary, and I don't know if that's due to incompetence or intentionally changing things up to keep the terrorists on their toes.

I've gotten the impression they generally don't like matches, but carried in a pocket they won't likely be noticed, and if noticed they just take them away. But my wife carries a Bic lighter on board without hassle, and my full-size Zippo merely gets lit at worst to verify that it's not a disguised .22 pistol (for real!). I don't recommend lighters in checked luggage, as they do not like any kind of fire hazards in the airplane compartments.

I can't comment on cutters, although I've "heard" they're ok lately, so I either check them, or pre-cut cigars for short, carry-on luggage trips.

I have considered carrying a largish self-addressed and overstamped (?) envelope in my carry-on, in the event that I forget and carry my pocket knife, etc; any valued "contraband" could be dropped in an airport mailbox. There are usually mail drops around there somewhere.

Dated 11-18-2003:
http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_12_18_2003.pdf 

[I hate it when that happens...]

As I was saying, there is a discussion of lighters and matches on that link. It's a PDF document. It might be worth printing out and carrying with you thru security.

From my experience.........you will definitely not be allowed to carry a torch lighter on board, however I have not had a problem with them following me in my checked baggage. You can carry a flame lighter on board but they will ask you to demonstrate the lighter. One other thing.........if you take a cigar caddy (or, I guess any travel humidor that is airtight), plan on having to go through the contortions of a safecracker when you get to your destination. Unless you have one of the large ones with a pressure-relief valve, you will turn several shades of blue/red trying to open it. Damn......those things really seal up. Just my thoughts............