Airport Security

[Lightbringer]

Wanted to know if anyone had any trouble carrying a surefire flashlight onto an airplane? I am probably going to use my inova or e2e as my EDC and wanted to know if it violates any security regulations or something? In other words, I dont want to end up choosing between my flash light and my flight (come on now, we all know wats important...;)). Thanks

 

[TORCH_BOY]

I have carried my Longbow ECO and Electrolumens FT-3C and my Motorola two way radio on aircraft many of a time without
any hassles, if asked tell the truth this is my hobby.
Before traveling check with airport customs first

 

[IMTRBO]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. I just recently took several flights with a bunch of my flashlights in my carry-on luggage (includes a 6P and a G2). My bag went through the x-ray machine without incident each time. We're talking Australian, Singaporean, British, and French scanners here, and all these countries take their security very seriously.

 

[gregw]

[ QUOTE ]
IMTRBO said:
Shouldn't be a problem at all. I just recently took several flights with a bunch of my flashlights in my carry-on luggage (includes a 6P and a G2). My bag went through the x-ray machine without incident each time. We're talking Australian, Singaporean, British, and French scanners here, and all these countries take their security very seriously.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately, I don't think you can compare the quality of international security screening with US Domestic TSA security. I remember reading in a thread some time ago when TSA told a CPFer to check in his Arc4 the next time he flew because it could be use to "blind" someone.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif

 

[stockae92]

so i guess E2D will be out of the question here in the US /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[83Venture]

Travelers may have to start carrying adjustable level lights set to a fairly low setting so when they are tested it does not distress the screeners to much. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

 

[lymph]

[ QUOTE ]
stockae92 said:
so i guess E2D will be out of the question here in the US /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I flew twice with my e2d in a coat pocket. No problems in Seattle or Salt Lake City. I may have been lucky, though, and was prepared to pay for an airport locker to store it if necessary.

 

[Aloft]

I fly for a living, and have had no trouble carrying numerous Surefire flashlights thru security. My flight bag contains an L2, I keep an E1e/KL1 in my uniform jacket pocket. I've also had no trouble carrying the L5 or various Inovas. And although I am in uniform, we don't seem to get any "special" treatment at the security checkpoint. . . I've stood many times with my belt undone and my shoes off while a TSA screener "wanded" me in full view of everyone.

I've said this in another post, so if you've read it, bear with me. The only trouble any of our pilots had with a flashlight at security was one guy who had a 2 D cell Maglite. . . the screener said "You could use it as a club". Besides the utter ridiculousness of stating that to the guy who will have his hands on the controls of the plane, this is probably why he (and I, at one time) opted to carry a Maglite! This issue was resolved in favor of the owner of the Maglite, BTW /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The E2D might be another matter. . . if the TSA ever "discovers" that it is actually designed to be used as a backup "weapon", it will likely be banned. After all, I can't carry a knife that came with a set of Boy Scout camping utensils or a Leatherman, so I'm sure if the word gets out about the E2D, the policy for TSA will be to CYA!

 

[gadget_lover]

[ QUOTE ]
prepared to pay for an airport locker to store it if necessary.

[/ QUOTE ]

I haven't seen an available airport locker since 9/11. The ones I knew of were ripped out, locked down or boarded over. It's a shame, as they were handy for stashing my bags while I stepped outside on long layovers.

There may still be some at local airports. I don't recall seeing any there either.

Daniel

 

[14C]

ditto

Been through LA, Las Vegas, Omaha, Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Baltimore, Denver, Hartford, Cincinatti and others and I can't remember seeing one locker since 9/11.

 

[crashlander]

I had my SF G2 in my rucksack for a flight to Turkey and at the security check on Munich Airport, they´ve seen it on the x-ray and wanted to know what it is, but no problems.
No questions on the flight back from Antalya/Turkey /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Joe Talmadge]

I asked about lockers last time I flied. Airport staff claimed you won't find them anywhere, since 9/11.

Okay, the big question: has anyone tried getting through with a E2D?

Each time I've flown, I've carried multiple lights, and never had problems with 2-cell surefires like the E2e, or with a Streamlight TL-2, or with an Inova 24/7, or Arc LS. I haven't tried taking anything bigger than a 6V lithium light.

 

[lymph]

[ QUOTE ]
Joe Talmadge said:
I asked about lockers last time I flied. Airport staff claimed you won't find them anywhere, since 9/11.

Okay, the big question: has anyone tried getting through with a E2D?
...


[/ QUOTE ]

See my post earlier - I took at E2D without incident. Good to know about the lockers, though. Maybe I should bring a padded SASE with me in case I have problems in the future - I can mail it home.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Ah, missed that, thanks for the info. I've never seen a post box at the airport ... are you sure that if you bring that padded SASE, you'll actually be able to drop it off somewhere to mail it home?

 

[Brunk]

I once had problems with an E2e on a flight from turky to germany. Because of the danger in blinding the crew and taking over the plain /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I had to put the E2e in to my luggage - but I was glad they didn´t find my SF M3 with the MN-11 in my board case /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

bye

Torsten

 

[brightnorm]

I have some Aleph and PR heads mounted on E2D bodies (with "E2D" in big type). I hope the E2D's reputation doesn't cause problems.

Brightnorm

 

[gadget_lover]

All US airports have a mailbox somewhere. Usually outside the security zone. We carry a few tyvex mailing envelopes just in case. That did not help me last time. I forgot that there was a canister of pepper spray clipped to my laptop bag. You can't mail it, can't check it, can't put it in carry-on and can't get it past the security checkpoint in San Diego.

It made it through Oakland's security for the trip down to San Diego, but that's another story.

I typically take my new lights with me (in carry-on) when visiting family in San Diego. I've carried almost a dozen and have only had one out of 10 inpectors look at them twice. They are most prone to spot my EDC if i throw it on top of my coat at the last minute. If I drop it in the flap of my suitcase they never look twice.


Daniel

 

[Double_A]

I've never had a problem, but then I usually emply my pockets into a ziplock baggie, which is placed inside my carry-on bag for x-ray.

Once I board I take the baggie out, replace everything in my pockets and stow my carry-on in the overhead.

GregR

 

[logical]

My E2e with KL4 is always in my computer bag carry on. I fly 20+ RT's a year and only once did they even want to look at it and even then said it was fine. I think the E2D would be pushing it.
The screening isn't all that tight, I've accidently carried a 3" benchmade folder on two RT's DTW to SAN.

 

[tracker870]

Depends on too many factors when it comes to the TSA; which airport, which terminal, which screener, which "Wand" person. I have flown with my E2E plus MiniMag without incident (BOS, PHX, LAX). The MiniMag, I've flown with for years, but then again, I used to fly with a Swiss Army knife; the E2E is fairly new. And, it seems that the TSA like to single me out, whenever I am not traveling with my family. Re: using the padded mailers, good idea, but can you really drop those in airport mail boxes? I'm fairly sure, we can't just drop packages in mailboxes on the street. The USPS requires that those be brought to the counter; maybe it's just "boxed" items"??