Whats the latest on flying with EDC flashlights?

[Pellidon]

I bought a sleek tapered 12 inch luxeon light at Maplins in England and the TSA "barney" almost took it in Philly until I told him it was a sex toy [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I did have a run in in a small airport with a Gander Mountain NiCd Luseon light that I flew from one city to White Plains with but White Plains insisted I couldn't carry it onboard and I had to put it in my check bags that were already inspected and checked. I asked the supervisor who would I complain to if it went missing. He got ticked and told me that would not happen. As luck would have it I showed him that day's USA Today with the lead story of 5000+ TSA barneys getting busted for stealing on video.

But then again I have had lots of complaints of vandalism/theft (mostly vandalism) from my toolkit by the TSA. About 80% of my trips last year (about 20-25 trips). It has gotten better this year so far.

[John N]

[ QUOTE ]
rifle59 said:
I am not worried about carrying on the flashlights, but how did you keep the TSA guys from "borrowing" your Sebenza?

[/ QUOTE ]

I check my sebbie in my luggage. To be honest, I've wrestled with this a bit. One one hand, you worry someone will steal it. On the other hand, you won't have it with you! The latter is too much to bare. I check it and take my chances. If it grows legs, I figure I'll just have to buy another one.

Actually, I went through this with my carry on lights as well. At one point I was contemplating getting different (cheaper) lights to carry on. I finally decided I might as well bring what I wanted to have on me.

I do try to limit myself to those two lights in my carry on tho. I figure if I want/need any other lights they can go in my checked baggage.

I long for the days where I could carry-on my folder. Sigh.

-john

[wquiles]

Recently, I have been traveling frequently to Mexico with a double A MiniM&g and either a QIII or Brinkmann Maxfire in my carry-on luggage - never had a problem. Also took them for a trip to Venezuela - same, no problems.

Will

[rgp4544]

[ QUOTE ]
beezaur said:
I think the only lights a person would have problems with would be the multi-lithium-123 lights.

Apparently there has been at least one instance in which a 2-cell light malfunctioned and started smoking in the cabin. The cause in these kinds of incidents is usually reported to be cheap asian batteries that use a more dangerous chemistry than out beloved Surefires et al.

The problem from the airlines' point of view is that you cannot prevent the problem cells and lights from coming onboard without preventing all similar lights. If one of those cheap lights goes bad and catches on fire, the best situation you have is toxic fumes.

I guess I am expecting at some point for the airlines to say, "no more lithium 123 flashlights."

But I am a pessimist, so hopefully I am wrong [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Scott

[/ QUOTE ]

Scott,

Normally when flying I'm on a private or corporate aircraft, not on an airliner, and therefore no need for me to mess with TSA. Sometimes I do have to take a ride on an airliner though.

Lights and anything else with lithium batteries were illegal to even carry on a plane 20 years ago when I learned how to fly. At that time the only lithium powered items available were a couple of camcorders and a flashlight made by Surefire (which was a company nobody ever heard of at the time) so the ruling was largely irrelevant. I forgot when they changed the rules to allow them on board, but I suspect it was within the last ten years.

The reason they were illegal is because if lithiums catch fire, they burn considerably hotter than most fires and no normal fire extinguisher is able to put out that fire. On the ground if this occurs you can move out of the way...in a plane you are up a creek. One or two of them catching fire is not much of a problem, however several igniting at once is a very serious problem.

The recent ruling disallowing lithium batteries to be shipped as cargo on a flight carrying passengers should not affect the passengers or their baggage. It merely affects the parcels being shipped in the cargo hold.

Additionally I believe that if a security goon at an airport takes a passenger's flashlight, or any one of a number of other things a passenger may have, it is usually an indication that the aforementioned security goon wants a brand new free toy.

Richard.

[Lunal_Tic]

[ QUOTE ]
rgp4544 said:
Additionally I believe that if a security goon at an airport takes a passenger's flashlight, or any one of a number of other things a passenger may have, it is usually an indication that the aforementioned security goon wants a brand new free toy.


[/ QUOTE ]
Here, Here! You also know that they can sell the items they pilfer.

-LT

[JanCPF]

If they sometime in the future ban lithium cells, then how about Li-Ion cells? Aren't they just as "dangerous". And then if they ban those too, how about all the cell phones and laptops?

Jan

[KevinL]

I heard "people" are dangerous too. After all it was a bunch of people that caused 9/11.. I strongly urge all concerned to write to their government to ban people from aircraft immediately before the end of the world befalls us.

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]



I suspect they won't succeed in banning lithium ions from flights because of the huge outcry from travellers who need to carry their laptops and cell phones. They've become such an integral part of our culture that there is no doing without them. Plus, the huge installed base of consumer electronics that use lithium ions that consumers won't do without. Perhaps they should try it, the sheeple will, for once, knock some sense into them.

[JanCPF]

Precisely. It would be impossible to ban Li-ions. Good for us Kevin who puts rechargables in anything that possibly takes them. Guilt free lumens all the way. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Small problem though. Did you notice that on JSB's R123s it doesn't read Li-Ion but Lithium (at least the ones I got), so TSA may confiscate them after all. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mpr.gif[/img]

Jan

[83Venture]

I am on the list for a drop in Lux for the Mini-Mag, think nighteyze has a conversion kit also. You might try converting a Mini-Mag with one of these. If TSA decides they want a new toy just remove and keep the Luxon drop in/batteries and give them what’s left. Then buy another AA Mini-Mag for $8 dollars and be back in business, they are available just about everywhere in the states. Fix it at destination or when you return home. Maybe carry a spare stock Mag in your check in luggage.

Two good points to this.

1- Everybody recognizes the Mag and knows it is cheap so there is not much incentive to "acquire" one.

2- If they do want it you keep the important/expensive part and give them a handful of non working parts that won't benefit them at all and the loss to you would be under $10.00. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[rifle59]

[ QUOTE ]
John N said:
[ QUOTE ]
rifle59 said:
I am not worried about carrying on the flashlights, but how did you keep the TSA guys from "borrowing" your Sebenza?

[/ QUOTE ]

I check my sebbie in my luggage. To be honest, I've wrestled with this a bit. One one hand, you worry someone will steal it. On the other hand, you won't have it with you! The latter is too much to bare. I check it and take my chances. If it grows legs, I figure I'll just have to buy another one.

Actually, I went through this with my carry on lights as well. At one point I was contemplating getting different (cheaper) lights to carry on. I finally decided I might as well bring what I wanted to have on me.

I do try to limit myself to those two lights in my carry on tho. I figure if I want/need any other lights they can go in my checked baggage.

I long for the days where I could carry-on my folder. Sigh.

-john

[/ QUOTE ]


John,
Do you think it would be overkill to use a small lock and a steel fishing leader to secure our "good stuff" to our luggage? I know that it can be cut but that may be too much trouble for the TSA guys, plus you have proof that they cut it.

[Lunal_Tic]

[ QUOTE ]
Screeners have been much more aggressive about seizing prohibited items than their predecessors, the private screeners who worked for companies employed by airlines. Each month, screeners take from passengers about a half-million things, including 160,000 knives, 2,000 box cutters and 70 guns.


[/ QUOTE ]

Inspires confidence doesn't it. Here's the latest link.

-LT

[Bullzeyebill]

I haven't been flying recently, and if I do fly, it will be to visit relatives. I will USPS, Priority mail, my good lights, knives forward to destination, and do the same on the return trip.

Bill

[John N]

[ QUOTE ]
rifle59 said:
John,
Do you think it would be overkill to use a small lock and a steel fishing leader to secure our "good stuff" to our luggage? I know that it can be cut but that may be too much trouble for the TSA guys, plus you have proof that they cut it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now that's an interesting idea.

-john

[Aloft]

I fly for a living. 2D cell maglites are still the standard for most professional pilots, IMO...they're cheap, readily available at KMart or Home Depot, reliable--and probably useful as a club. Nonetheless, there has been only a single incident of which I know where a TSA inspector questioned a pilot about his maglite (being used as a club), and the TSA did NOT take the light. Hey, they'd be buried in Maglites from pilots.

I switched from Mag about a year ago, making a Surefire L2 my flight bag primary light. In addition, during the cooler months when I have a jacket, I carry an Inova T3 in the pocket to use for preflights. It's got awesome throw for checking out the upper tail, etc. Most of you probably know, both of these lights are LITHIUM batteried, and I carry two spares in a plastic match case in my carry-on. Again, no TSA releated problems. I've purchased Surefire batts on the road and brought them back too, though that was probably before the printed "forbidden" message.

BTW, I rarely fly international (for me, that's Mexico and Canada), so I'm not sure how other countries are handling it. Most consumer electronics these days like digital cameras and MP3 players have (albeit small) lithium batteries, so an outright ban would probably put an end to air travel!

[Getnlwr]

Can anyone give me the current skinny

[Dingle1911]

I just flew from Raleigh, NC USA to Taipei Taiwan. I cleared security at RDU with two AAA streamlights in my carry-on luggage and (8) extra cells carried in their original blister packs. I also had the largest of the SF pens. My carry on luggage went through security at Raleigh, San Francisco, New York (JFK), Taipei Taiwan, and Taitung Taiwan. I didn't want to risk any more expensive lights in my carry on.

In my checked luggage I had two SF's, an LX2 and E1B with (4) primaries in blister pack. All cleared security safely and arrived back home as packed.

Now one of the guys traveling with me had a bag with a SF G2, Petzl Headlamp, and CRKT knife taken from his checked luggage. I suspect it was taken by Taiwan customs because of the knife, but that is just a guess.

I hope that helps.

[SDM44]

talk about a blast from the past (the thread).

I fly about 2 times a month for work, always flying out of LAX or ONT, and flying to ORD, MDW, DFW, or DTW for the most part since we have offices in those areas. I also flew to OGG (Maui) last summer, and to NRT (Japan) a couple of years ago. Most of my flights are domestic in the US.

I always have in my carry-on bag a V10R, LD01, and an iTP A3. All of them have a li-ion in them. In addition to that, I also carry on a 16340, 10440, and an AAA alkaline battery, dropped into an inner pouch on my carry-on bag so nothing is sealed up or anything.

I've never had any problems with TSA at any airport, and I would think LAX is the most strict out of all of them (so is ORD), and I usually notice this when checking in a firearm at the counter. But never had any problems carrying lights or spare batteries onto a plane in the past 4 years, flying a good 25 times out of the year.

[RedLed]

I fly several times a week, all too often, and have McGizmos, Surefires, and other kinds of lights that do not look like what normal people think of when they think of lights, with no problems at all. And, I fly with quite a few lights.

This has nothing to do with flashlights, however, if you wear a nice suit, tie and cufflinks, it seems you get treated better. This is what I have been doing recently.

Don't worry about it. Even my professional camera bag has not been opened in a while.

PS..forgot to say I have flying these days. I remember when it was very nice.

[Cataract]

I flew to and back from LAX from Canada with my L0D and 2 quark 123's in my carry-on last November and no problem at all. My wallet was more interesting than anything else. I also had 5-6 spare batteries, a camera, MP3player, automotive GPS and PSP in my carry-on and they told me I didn't have to take those out. The only time they look into my bag it is if I forget to take out my liquids at which point they'll just swab my ziploc and put it back.

I believe there is a rule that any metal cylinder over 5 inches long is prohibited, but it sounds like flashlights are overlooked. I don't take any chances, however, and only bring short ones.

LAX has the highest security I've seen do far in an airport (haven't been to any bigger so far), so if it passes there I don't see why it would be a problem.

One note after reading some of the past comments: Lithium cells are now prohibited in checked luggage, but are fine in carry-on's.

[litzerski]

Anyone flying with a light with a crenulated bezel?

[SDM44]

One note after reading some of the past comments: Lithium cells are now prohibited in checked luggage, but are fine in carry-on's.

Whether this is true or not, I'm curious to know whether TSA has the ability on their x-ray machines to tell if you do have li-ion batteries in a bag, like if they pop out in a specific color on their screen.

Actually, now that I think of it, I did recently travel from ONT to DTW with a Solarforce L2P in my checked in bag with a 18650 li-ion battery. No issues, but then that was out of ONT and DTW, and not through LAX where I usually fly through.

[Cataract]

Whether this is true or not, I'm curious to know whether TSA has the ability on their x-ray machines to tell if you do have li-ion batteries in a bag, like if they pop out in a specific color on their screen.

Actually, now that I think of it, I did recently travel from ONT to DTW with a Solarforce L2P in my checked in bag with a 18650 li-ion battery. No issues, but then that was out of ONT and DTW, and not through LAX where I usually fly through.

The rules are very specific about lithium batteries (just check TSA and airline websites) and they even recommend to take the battery out of your camera and carry it with you if you put the camera in a checked luggage (kinda defeats the purpose, I know). ALL checked luggage are X-rayed, but let's be realistic here: they're looking for the real dangerous stuff, not tools, knives and items you actually have the right to put in there. They certainly do not catch all batteries in checked luggage, but they could seize such items. Bags are opened more often than we think, but a lot of small items like lithium batteries will definitely make it through (hey, there's a lot of bags). It is just very advisable to not take a chance.

[hawk45]

I always have on in my carry on backpack (if not 2-3) with batteries and never get hassled. Never on my actual person though. I carry camera batteries along too for my point and shoots and my big DSLRs

[msim]

Just thought I'd share that I flew twice yesterday From SEA to PDX and back with my Nitecore EC1 and Sunwayman M11R in my carry-on bag along with my Maratac AAA and had no issues. Also had a couple extra CR123 primaries in my bag.

[climberkid]

Anyone flying with a light with a crenulated bezel?

I just flew with a Pelican Case filled with lights as my carry-on. EagleTac M3C4, EagleTac P20A2, Sunwayman V11R, Shurefire E2D, Thrunite Ti, and all the primaries and LiON batts you would need.

As a disclaimer, I am in the military and was traveling in uniform.

-Alex

[Getnlwr]

So I ended up going through Seatac to St Louis, and checked my G3 and my Leef 3X18650. My bag was searched by the TSA and the jerks turned on my company laptop with the super duper extended battery AND LEFT IT ON. I got my bag at the claim and noticed that it had been opened. I opened it up and went looking for my lights (they were there) but the bag was hot as hell! I touched my work laptop and the side of it felt like it was over 170 degree F. There was a nice little card stating that my bag was searched. Thank you to the jerks in the TSA

[Cataract]

So I ended up going through Seatac to St Louis, and checked my G3 and my Leef 3X18650. My bag was searched by the TSA and the jerks turned on my company laptop with the super duper extended battery AND LEFT IT ON. I got my bag at the claim and noticed that it had been opened. I opened it up and went looking for my lights (they were there) but the bag was hot as hell! I touched my work laptop and the side of it felt like it was over 170 degree F. There was a nice little card stating that my bag was searched. Thank you to the jerks in the TSA

And they're afraid some lonesome lithium cells in a battery carrier could set fire?????