Flashlights on Airplanes?

[Lux_Luminous]

I'm heading to Washington D.C. with a group of student travelers for a week. Has anyone had any problems with airport security and flashlights? I'm going to try to limit myself to the bare minimums. I plan to bring the following:

1. An Arc AAA Turquoise (left front pocket)

2. An Arc LSG (right front jacket pocket)

3. A SureFire E2e (right front pocket or in checked
bags)

4. A SureFire G2 with KT1 Turbo for pointing out
items of interest on night tours (in checked bags)

5. An assortment of Inovas clipped to chaperone jackets
to assist with "rallying" the kids at night.

6. An assortment of batteries for all of the above

Anyone have any horror stories to share? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The flashlights that are checked will be inside a suitcase in "Zing" bags for their protection. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

I plan on bringing some ready to mail bubble wrap pouches just in case security gives me a tough time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Thank you for any assistance that you can offer! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


"Lux" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[paulr]

The security people will think you're crazy. Put everything in checked bags except maybe the Arc AAA which you can put on your key ring. You won't need the flashlights on the plane.

 

[ttran97]

I travel international quite often...and I haven't had problems. I keep my E2e in my laptop bag and anything else in the luggage. I think it might look weird if you have your M6 in a Blackhawk pouch on your waist. hehe. Gonna be taking my A2 on a plane for the first time in a week! Whoohoo! Too bad I'm not a pilot and can't use the A2 as it was intended for. Oh well.

Actually, I remembered one time when I had my flashlight and batteries inside my backpack for carry-on. They opened it up cuz it looked suspicious...but after making sure it was a real flashlight, they didn't care. And this was post-9/11 too...in case you wondered.

 

[paulr]

It's the G2 with the KT1 that might scare them the most. I have a little plastic light that's not tactical looking at all and they still wanted me to turn it on to make sure it was a flashlight.

 

[FalconFX]

They took my E2e and stripped the 3 pieces down (bezel, body, tailcap), took out the batteries and even tried to smell it...

They made sure my Arc LE can turn on, and made sure my Mini-LGI was actually filled with batteries...

Just a pain more than anything else. That and have people stare at you for having 5-6 flashlights in your pocket alone, nevermind your luggage...

 

[Size15's]

When I can back from SureFire I had some of the strangest and most unique flashlights and parts ever created.

They wanted to check out my Pelican Super SabreLite and didn't even blink at the rest (quite a heavy bag of Aluminium tubes and batteries etc)

I asked why the SabreLight and the guy replied he wanted to make sure it was a flashlight and not a weapon.

Al /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon6.gif

 

[avusblue]

[ QUOTE ]
paulr said:
You won't need the flashlights on the plane.

[/ QUOTE ]

Whoa. I never thought I'd hear the phrase "you won't need flashlights" around here, applied to any context.

Always carry a flashlight on a flight (or anywhere) if it's going to be nighttime. Or, if the aircraft has an emergency or a power failure, your Arc AAA around your neck could, shall we say, come in "handy". And an E2e or G2 that can cut through smoke or whatever, could come in "extra handy."

Again, never be without a good light. Remember the Boy Scout motto.

Dave

 

[kz1000s1]

Quotes:
'paulr said:
You won't need the flashlights on the plane.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whoa. I never thought I'd hear the phrase "you won't need flashlights" around here, applied to any context.'

I agree and have always carried a light on planes for an emergency, whether it be caused by a crash or a hijacker.

Before 9/11, (and CPF) I always had a 3D Maglite and a 3" folding knife in my carry-on. Now I have an Arc AAA on my keys and a minimag w/krypton and lithiums in the carry-on and a Surefire of some kind and knife in the checked bag. Never had a problem.

 

[paulr]

Yes I have the Arc AAA in my pocket and a UKE 2L (basically equivalent to an E2E with MN02, but made of plastic and less tactical looking) in my carry-on bag, but that's a lot different from having a half dozen flashlights worth of military looking hardware. At minimum, I'd say if you want to take all those flashlights on board, get to the airport early. The security checkpoint won't let you board with anything they think looks dangerous, which basically means if you don't have enough time left to get the item into checked luggage, they confiscate it or you don't board. (They will sometimes check it for you, but don't count on that, especially if the item is something they might want).

I had an experience where I forgot I had an SAK in my carry-on and the only reason I didn't lose it was because there was enough time to find a cardboard box, seal up the SAK in it, and check it in as baggage. However, security causes enough delays that I was very lucky to have so much time.

A possible plan is to carry a folded cardboard box or padded mailing envelope, along with some packing tape, and if you can't get on board with something, then you at least have a better chance to seal it up and check it. My SAK experience involved a bunch of time spent running around looking for a box and some tape.

 

[gyverpete]

You shouldn't have any trouble or confiscation of lights if they are satisfied that's all they are. I would recommend you don't carry any METAL at all on your person as you go throught the checkpoint. The machine will beep, and they'll either have you empty your pockets, delaying and embarrasing you, or pull you aside for the wand wave. To avoid hassle, I put my watch, flashlights (ARC AAA & LS),
wallets, etc. in the carry-on, in a ziploc, and easily accessible so I can put my gear back on after the checkpoint, and so if they see something in the x-ray they want to question, I don't have to dump out my carry-on to show them. The last trip I took, I didn't beep and they didn't ask to see anything in my bag. Two of my other three traveling companions, none of which carry or care about gadgets, beeped and were asked to look through their bag. Bottom line, don't give them reason to be suspicious.

Also, on a trip last year, I wanted to mail something at the airport on my return trip, and realized they had removed all the mailboxes (due to 9/11 I was told). So don't assume they have them. Call ahead at both airports if you still feel the need to have that option.

Have a safe trip!

 

[Viper]

When I flew from US to China, I had no problems taking an original 6P plaus a spares carrier with extra lamp. They never even asked me to turn it on.

I actually had to use it, The Beijing hotel I stayed at lost power for about an hour one evening. I went through a set of batteries, trying not to think about the movie RED CORNER.

I have to admidt, I really wanted to bring my M3 with me, but I was afraid it would get confiscated by security either in domestically or in China.

 

[Reaper]

On a trip to Boston, the security person at SFO noticed my 4AAA adapter for the ARC made by CNC Dan. Kept asking if it was really a flashlight at the same time he was playing around with it. I told him yes it was (for the tenth time)and not to turn it on. So of course he happens to turn it on while looking at it and blinds himself for a second during which time he says sh*t it's bright. After he recovers I ask him if he wants to check out my LGI in the same manner. Don't think he appreciated the way I said it. Next month I'm going Florida with a out-of-state CCW permit waiting for me and I hope my Kahr makes it through from here to there.

 

[Blikbok]

I recommend that you divide the flashlights into 3 categories.
EDC that will fit in with your keys and other pocket stuff. Really, really, limit the amount of metal on your body which doesn't go into the key tray.
Non-threatening little lights in the carry-on, like the E2. In fact, put everything you can in the carry-on.
Everything else wrapped up tight and padded in checked luggage. If your suitcase breaks open and something suspicious rolls out, it may cause a delay while they blow it up for your safety.

I flew to Vegas Post-9-11 and made it through all checkpoints without trouble. I had a CMG Infinity in my pocket, an SF E1 in my carryon, the 6Z and three folding knives in my checked luggage. My traveling buddies were constantly stopped on the outbound flights because they had large metal "features" on their shoes. I even went to the trouble of wearing a backpack compression strap as a belt.

One great feature of the tiny lights is that they look so non-threatening.

 

[paulr]

I think it's most important that the flashlight LOOK LIKE a flashlight. Even the scary E2 might be easier to get aboard than an Arc LS with the pushbutton tailcap, which looks like ammunition. Or a homemade light like the tiny "Pocket Penny", a few posts from the top of this thread. Cool little light though.

 

[spy008]

http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/tsa_ppitems.pdf

List of permitted & prohibited items on aircraft from TSA website.


Jeff

 

[this_is_nascar]

... just make sure your E-Series light does not have the TID attached when trying to get thru security.

 

[FalconFX]

[ QUOTE ]
My traveling buddies were constantly stopped on the outbound flights because they had large metal "features" on their shoes.

[/ QUOTE ]

I felt sorry for the one gal that was ahead of our line when baggage check started for our flight to New York from Sacramento a few weeks ago. She had some sort of metal on herself, because she must've went through the door at least 8-10 times, each time, the door beeping away. They stripped her of EVERYTHING in her pockets. Took her heels off. Took her jacket off. Even took her belt off. Only thing she was wearing was probably her blouse and skirt. Now, it would've been quite bad, had it not been that she was also drop dead "gorgeous" and everybody on the line sat there glued to her and sympathized with her. But, it turns out, the checkers had to personally apologize to her, because they never assumed that her bra, of all else, had metallic material in it. She was pissed. I don't know if everyone else in the line was, though...

They'll stop you on a dime, literally. Best thing is to leave your larger lights in your luggage.

 

[gyverpete]

Thanks for the link, SPY008.

I didn't see any mention of flashlights, which probably means they don't even consider them questionable. So, once you satisfy them that they are really flashlights and not one of the restricted items in disguise, you get to keep them and they don't.

It might be a good idea to print out that list and carry it with you so if they give you a hard time about some other item, you can clarify it from the TSA's info. Be a wise flyer. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Tomas]

That's not the first underwire bra to have a problem with airport security, Falcon: Bra Security Hassle ...

 

[Gadgetman7]

I've been through with E2e with KL1 and spares carrier with lam0 and an ARC-LE. I've also been through with Princton-tec Rage and Attitude with an ARC-LE and 12 AAA batteries. No problem either time but one guard did look into the E2e and turn it on.

BTW there is a move to relax some travel restrictions. Even allow small, sub 2.5", pocket knives. I think the petition is being started by one of the knife manufacturers. Not sure if it will work but we can all hope. Heh, if the pilots have guns they shouldn't have to worry about our lights and SAK's....