My Flying Experience with Flashlights

[jbroker83]

Just got back from a week long vacation down to Orlando, FL. Very cold down there, relatively speaking. Anyways, this was my first trip flying with lights. I wanted to be prepared for the worst, while striking a balance of having a backpack full of lights. After much thought and debate, I decided to fly with basically five lights. They were: 1. Streamlight Keymate with fresh batteries on my keychain, 2. Dorcy AAA LED, 3. Princeton Tec Rage, 4. Princeton Tec Blast, 5. SureFire G2Z. I also had my Inova Xo3 but checked it in my luggage. For batteries, I had 10 extra CR 123's, and a 12 pack of Rayovac Maximum Plus AAA's. I put the lights in my carry-on backpack, but kept the blast in my jeans pocket. My extra batteries were stored in my carry-on. As I was leaving Omaha, NE....one of the TSA agents who was watching my bag go through the X-ray machine, stated "this guy's prepared" then she gave me a slight grin and I was on my way. I felt very good about having this selection of lights on me. The Streamlight Key-mate was just a light that happened to be on my keychain, but it could serve a purpose in an absolute emergency. The Dorcy, Blast, and Rage all ran on AAA's and I was glad that I limited my lights to just two types of batteries. Since both the Blast and the Rage are waterproof, I was also confident should that scenario have come into play. My SF G2Z was going to be my heavy hitter for output, since I packed my Inova. I was able to experience Disney World Parks and Universal with my G2Z in one pocket and my Blast in the other. I felt very comfortable and never really even noticed them in my pockets. On the way out of Orlando, the TSA agent didn't say a thing as I passed my bag through with zero problems. My only regret was to not bring my Inova in my bag....I was somewhat hesistant as it's made of a harder material and I didn't want it to be precieved as a weapon. Thankfully, my planes didn't meet the same fate as the characters in "Lost" and I didn't have to be the survivor that happened to have flashlights along.

 

[watt4]

nice report.

I have been reading the "flying with lights" threads.

do most cpf'ers expect an incan light such as the surefire G2 or brinkmann maxfire to be acceptable to the tsa?

 

[KevinL]

The G2, especially if you get it in bright yellow. It looks less threatening, more like a consumer-grade flashlight, and because it's made of plastic.

Of course we all know the G2 sure as heck ain't no 'consumer grade' flashlight.

 

[jbroker83]

Besides the other reasons I mentioned, another reason for going with the Blast and Rage is the plastic construction of the lights. They are adequately bright in my opinion, and they are not/cannot be considered a weapon or threat. The biggest test for the lights was probably letting the G2Z combat light in....but there were no problems. Any thoughts if the Inova would've made it? I was too hesitant and didn't want to part with a 70 dollar light on my first flight with lights.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

Great selection of flashlights

 

[pradeep1]

Great story, funny, but great still. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Sigman]

We all know that we appreciate, enjoy, and are "perhaps" obsessed /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif with owning high tech lighting utensils.

It's really interesting what we can actually "get by with" though while traveling or during power outages. Sure there are times when you may need the output of a Thor or other specific/capable torch - and we try to justify our ownership of those torches for those needs.

But 90% of the time...ya' know what I'm talkin' bout! Last time I flew, I took a "disposable" Princeton Tec Impact (ugly scratched up case with an application of glow powder paint around the bezel, an ARC AAA always on my keychain, and a "user" eternaLight Ergo 3 with me. Had to use the Impact on the plane's entry ramp during a power outage to board the plane. Used the eternaLight in the hotel at night. Never had to use the ARC - but it was there on my trek around town, "on standby".

 

[ViReN]

If may i Share my experiance here (instead of starting a new thread)....

I just returned from a 2000 mile to and fro trip yesterday. Since it was just a one day Business visit, I didnt keep many lights with me. I Carried 1 Photon Freedom Max (with Modified CS LED), 1 3 LED Peak LED Solutions Ultra HAIII Pocket and 1 7 LED Peak Led Solutions McKinley Ultra ....

In the Morning .....
At the Security Check (where we are asked to remove the contents in pocket on a tray) The Guy Noticed 2 items, Photon was ignored as a Keychain "Attachiee".

He asked me "What's that??" .... (Here People are not used to carry Flashlights in pockets)... I told him it's a Light.... "Oh... How does it work" ... I pointed it at him (not on eyes) and when i was turning it on... he was like.... "very very curious" took a step back... thinking what might come out of it... and as i twisted the bezel of 7 LED ... "Whoow... Bright.... must be a 'phoren' light" .. said .. yes... it's a LED light... and he let me go .... he said... "I hope it dosent contain a Explosive Battery" .... "nah... not in a dream" i answered /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

"Is this a Flashlight too" (looking at 3 LED... holding it in his hands) ... Ah... Nice .... (he opened the business end, took Smell inside... and put out the battery from the tube) and found a Simple AAA Duracell Battery.... ... "OK... Kool, Standard battery" .... (this moment, i was some what shaky.. what if he opens McKinley.. and finds out a Lithium Battery) but by that time I had already put it in my pocket. ... and ... Aahhh... Thanks what a Relief....


On my return trip in the evening (rather Night)... Again Similar Process (at Mumbai/Bombay Airport) (more stringent Security Checks .. being a Commercial Capital, Prone to Attacks)... this guy opened both the lights to see the batteries (smelled em too, they probably smell these for some 'drugs'???)... said...(after) .... this light has a Sweet Smell.... I told him .... "Yes it is Flashahol" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif ... (confused...!)He asked... ... "Its a Camera Battery ... Right?" ... "Yeah /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif " ... OK...after some discussion with collegues ... and then he let me go... ... I did hear them while discussing ... and One guy said... "All kind of Batteries are Banned To be carried in Open" ... "I found this one on a Torch" ... "It's a Photo Battery" ... (one of the senior guys had a look at McKinley...) ... "oh.. a Torch" ... (put the battery back and then.. oooh NOOOoo .....worst happened..... turned it ON on his face... ) ... "BrrriiGhhht Torch.... Keep it safe(telling me)... .. May be helpful in Emergencies (telling peers)"

And Today.. I found this Thread /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ...

Pradeep Please Keep a note of this (since you are coming to India), At Mumbai Airport (International & Domestic) they do a very stringent checks, keep your batteries in Luggage & Keep Standard Batteries Lights.. like AA or AAA in your person. (donno what Other Airports.. like Chennai & Delhi do....)

 

[watt4]

"Yes, it is Flashahol"

ha ha /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[270winchester]

When I went to Texas two months ago, I had 5 Surefires and two mags in my bag, including a M6. No problem whatsoever, even with 24 spare batteries....

 

[elgarak]

Flashahol!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif

Thanks! That made my day.

 

[KevinL]

Yeah, when I fly I usually use Surefire or Batterystation cells, because they're marked on the outside "for cameras" and so on. "Made in the USA" helps when travelling to the US /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now that I have a digital SLR camera, it looks even more convincing /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif (and everybody knows that digitals use lithium ion rechargeable packs - mine can't take CR123s, but who needs to know that?)

When travelling, I'd usually take one variable power LED, maybe two, and one high powered small incandescent. My current preferred setup would be the U2, HDS B60 (for its truly low levels), and either a 2 or 3 cell SF with HOLA.

 

[Lunal_Tic]

ViReN,

Thanks for the info on traveling over there. I've added a link to a thread I started on the subject a while back. I've been trying to combine a number of links on the subject in one place.

-LT

 

[ViReN]

Lunal_Tic /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Thanks... Impressive Collection of Links... Came to know a lot more about security /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Dynacolt]

I travelled last year from Australia to London return with a stopover in Malaysia each way. I only went for the weekend so had a pack not much larger than a Camelback (smaller than a day pack). I had a change of clothes, essentials and flashlights: 2 x SF 6P's, minimag with BB650 (loaded with Li AA's), Pelican Mitylight, Photon II, spare 123's.
At no time did anyone make comment on the lights or cells, and only once when I had put the 6P I generally carry on my belt into my bag when I went through the metal detector, did the customs guy ask what the empty pouch was for. I told him for a torch, he let me through and I pulled the 6P from my bag and back into the pouch.
Australian Customs is the most vigilant I have come across, and even when they gave me the third degree about my trip, searched me and my bags, did an ion scan on my bag etc, they never made comment about the lights or the 123's.
Now... if I had an E2D, maybe it would have been a bit different /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dave.

 

[Double_A]

Wow you guys travel heavy.

Last trip I made I carried a Photon attached to a glowring (the glowring made me nervous coming back to USA) and a TW4 (SF E1e w/KL4 head)

 

[tvodrd]

In the morning, I leave for Dublin, and from there to Brussels on thursday. I've never had a problem, but am only packing 2 small lights. I once had a TSA lady grab my CR2 light out of the tupperware and look at me. I said "flashlight," and she handed it to the TSA guy behind her. He managed to turn it on (low) and smiled, and said "cool." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif On my last trip back east where I was able to attend PF4 at Milkeyspit's place, I had a 4-hour layover in Providence on the way back. I'm a smoker, and so was a TSA guy who I kept running into outside. He said flashlights, even the big 4D's were ok, which he didn't think was a particularly good idea. I (of course,) agreed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif This will be my first experience with international travel and will be interesting.

Larry

 

[jbroker83]

It'd sure be interesting to try and pack a 4D mag-lite, or even a 2 or 3 cell. My guess is, most TSA's would put the kabosh on that attempt. I've often wondered what a TSA agent's reaction to my E2D defender would be. I guess it doesn't help matters much knowing the light says "defender" on it.

 

[matthewdanger]

[ QUOTE ]
jbroker83 said:
I guess it doesn't help matters much knowing the light says "defender" on it.

[/ QUOTE ]

You could always trade for a "Outdoorsman" body (much less ominous sounding, though your light would be mismatched) or even a E2e-BK body.

If you get the Outdoorsman body you can tell them the crenelations are for tenderizing venison. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[nrk]

Just recently went back and forth between Boston and Denver. I had my bare LionCub in a sheath in my computer bag. It didn't even raise an eyebrow.

;-nrk