Flashlight my dad can take on an airliner (Do they even make those anymore?)

[NWLumenoob]

I would have loved to get my Dad a flashlight for Father's day, but he flies often on business and I hadn't found this site yet. Do any of you have recent experience with this? Is it even possible to bring a flashlight on an airplane these days? (I mean carry-on, in his pocket - I assume he could check something, but it would likely disappear.)

Thanks!

 

[Z-Tab]

As long as it doesn't have a really aggressive bezel, it should be fine. If it's going to be with him all the time, a good quality keychain light might be the way to go.

 

[tam17]

Batteries are one more thing to consider. TSA info here

Cheers,

Tam

 

[Kingfisher]

I've been traveling back and to the USA from the UK a lot and always have 200+ lumens in my carry on baggage or my pocket. In your checked luggage it is a fire risk.

 

[Solscud007]

It is not a problem. When I went to the UK last summer I also traveled to Paris and Rome. I had over 30 surefire flashlights. TSA and other airport security asked if I was a salesman. Nope just a collector.

Depending on your dad's needs, a simple keychain light powered by a AA light is probably all he needs. That is perfectly fine. Airport security is not too focused on flashlights. Unless it looks like a gun. haha

I have a friend who is TSA and he tells me TSA are not focused on lights.

Now if you gave your dad a light that looked like this. . .

I think TSA will want to have a chat with your dad.

 

[ebow86]

I guess it would mostly depend to what type of employee you would be running into at the airport. Although I wouldn't recommend carring the light posted above around😀

 

[nfetterly]

No problem with "non agressive" lights. I have at least 2 in my computer backpack / carry on. As I believe is referenced above the only issue is that Li-ion batteries need to be in carry on, not in checked luggage.

I would recommend an AA powered light as the batteries are easy to find - my personal backup is an AA powered Surefire L1 (modified) that has a tritiam vial in the clip so that I can see it in the dark on the night stand.

 

[Phil828]

Just flew to NYC a couple weekends ago. Had a Maratac AAA in my fanny pack and an LD01 in my carryon, both with Eneloops. Security never even mentioned them.

 

[CheepSteal]

Travelling to the USA from Australia and all throughout the USA domestically, I had a Fenix LD20, Quark AA2 and another cheap light on me (carry on luggage) as well as lithium primaries in the lights as well as spares. Noone ever said a thing. On the way back, I didn't have room in the checked baggage so I carried a 3D LED Maglite (no cells) on board and noone said a thing either...

 

[samgab]

Hot Lined image remove -Norm

 

[Obijuan Kenobe]

I travel with at least one good light always. My extra lithiums are in a separate location and container in the carry-on with a single in the light so I can demonstrate that it is indeed a light.

I tend to make sure it is set to come on in the lowest mode. It is in your best interest (and our) that you not reveal the high level or the strobe functions to TSA.

I think the point regarding the bezel is the main concern.

obi

 

[Cataract]

I never seen anyone mention any negative experiences with flashlights and TSA. I myself once forgot my LD01 in a pocket and had to go through the manual metal detection routine. The guy had a quick look at my flashlight and asked what it was, but no more (he might have though it was a lighter). The only thing you really need to know is that lithium batteries should be in your carry-on, not in checked luggage.

I can remember two stories from other threads like this:

One TSA woman shined some guy's 200+ lumens light in her face and only commented that it was bright before giving it back.
One guy had a huge flashlight (SST90???) in his carry-on and the guy at X-ray exclaimed "BIG A** FLASHLIGHT!" but no problem here either

 

[NWLumenoob]

Wow, thanks everybody! I thought for sure it would be all but impossible to get any kind of flashlight on a plane these days.

This opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for what I can buy for my dad for various holidays. :devil:

Edit: Thanks for bringing up the bit about the batteries, I hadn't thought of that either and will take it under advisement.

 

[OfficerSheepDog]

Wow, thanks everybody! I thought for sure it would be all but impossible to get any kind of flashlight on a plane these days.

This opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for what I can buy for my dad for various holidays. :devil:

Edit: Thanks for bringing up the bit about the batteries, I hadn't thought of that either and will take it under advisement.

As a suggestion for a light that looks elegant, is available in different colors and uses common batteries for your father to purchase from anywhere. And would be more than ok for TSA I would recommend 4sevens Preon 2. Also has a rather simple UI

 

[Flyflash]

TSA considers a flashlight a tool. That means it can be no longer than 7 inches according to their rules.

 

[EnduringEagle]

I have carried a Quark 123 without a problem and my Fenix TA20 as well with the crenulated bezel. Flashlights are fine.

 

[IcantC]

I would get some some simple light. Either something for his keychain or a single AA. That way if he ever loses it, it's not too pricey or if needing batteries in a pinch.

 

[selfbuilt]

with a single in the light so I can demonstrate that it is indeed a light.
I tend to make sure it is set to come on in the lowest mode. It is in your best interest (and our) that you not reveal the high level or the strobe functions to TSA.
I think the point regarding the bezel is the main concern.

Excellent advice above.

I travel for business regularly, and always have a 1xAA/CR123A (in a belt pouch) and 1xAAA keychain light on me. No crenelated bezels, and extra batteries properly stored and within carry-on limits.

Never had an issue, but I frequently get asked to turn them on - so I always make sure they are set to low. Needless to say, I don't offer to show off any other features. 😗

 

[Mdinana]

Sometimes they've had me turn it on, but then, I've had to turn my laptop on sometimes too.

Just make sure it's not a light attached to a weapon and you should be fine.

 

[BigBluefish]

I travel across the US only once a year or so, but have done it for the past few years with an AA light in my pocket, usually an NDI, or a Fenix L1T. I've been asked by TSA to turn it on, but that's it.

If it doesn't look like something from the Klingon home world with spikes sticking out of the ends, or look like it could be used as club - a 4 D Mag would probably be frowned upon - I think you'd be alright.

Seems that there may be some question about whether lithium-ion batteries are allowed. I don't know. I've had L91s in my AA lights and no one ever asked me about it.