How has the TSA been with flashlights lately?

I haven't flown in quite awhile and now I might be visiting Beantown soon. I'm seriously considering bringing my Fenix P3D-CE along. What are my chances of it being disallowed?

THE reply : check the logic at the door /

shampoo is the ultimate threat sometime

I'll let you know on Saturday, as I'll have not only TSA but customs (USA and UK) to deal with. Whatya doin in Bawstin? I haven't been home in a couple of years... I've been yearning to see Fenway again... maybe next summer!

I just returned from a multi-island Hawaii trip that included USDA customs scans. I carried an Olight M20 Warrior, a MC-E Aurora, and a DX CR123 EDC.

I went through security four times. Never had a problem, a bag check, or even a mention about the lights.

I thought the M20's mildly aggressive SS bezel might raise interest. Nope...

They were MUCH more interested in my friends HAM radio. Also his 3 pound ziploc bag of sand ruffled their feathers a bit...

I'm positive you'll be completely fine with nearly any light you carry. The few exceptions being those highly aggressive strike bezels. The P3D-CE will be a breeze.

flashlights???? they didn't even notice (nether did i, to be honest, totaly forgot) leaterman wave in my carry on. neither they said anything about lighter in my jacket, that went thru x ray machine.

Good thing flashlights don't have some sort of hollow compartment that you could store stuff in. :thinking:
Just a battery compartment

Flashlights the least of our TSA problems:sigh:

As an addendum:

While carrying my lights I did, on one occasion, get flagged for a secondary TSA search at the departure gate. This was due to my suspicious looking friend, who they believed looked like some kind of drug dealer.

The agents removed everything from my backpack including all three lights. Found nothing of interest and stuffed everything back in the backpack. She didn't even take a hard look at the flashlights. She simply ignored them. :shrug:

Traveled continentally earlier this summer, carried inside my carry-on: 1 Fenix P3D, 1 Nitecore EX10, SF A2, SF 6Z, some fauxtons, and 2 SF SC carriers with batteries/lamps. No problems through TSA for me. I'm sure the P3D will not be a problem at all. BUT because nothing is certain in life, I carried some USPS envelopes, just in case I needed to ship them.

I fly once a year to Europe (Germany) from Florida, and get secondary TSA searched quite often (I guess my 'tactical' clothing I wear for traveling may have something to do with that ... I like lots of pockets ... but it doesn't help that there are hidden pockets for concealed carry).

Never got a problem with lights, batteries and other electronics.

Except snide remarks:

"Hey, look, this guy's prepared!" -- commenting on my battery collection.

"Help, there's a Circuit City in a bag!" -- from a TSA lady watching my bag on x-ray.

I just flew internationally out of Newark with my new Milkyspit Heat Miser in my carry-on... no issues with the TSA people.

elgarak said:

"Hey, look, this guy's prepared!".

Click to expand...

I got a "Hey this guy must be an Eagle Scout or something". To which I replied, I am, thank you.

I've flown post 9/11 with cigarette lighters - that's supposedly a BIG "no-no" yet I've never had them call me on it. Of course this was only two flights...

Thanks everybody! It looks like I should be ok with my P3D.

jchoo, it's just a short visit for business. No plans for sightseeing other than a couple of hours during the evenings.

I have just returned from 2 weeks overseas (intercontinental flights) and in my carry-on baggage were the following:

1x MaxaBeam
1x Polarion PH40
1x SF M6
1x Megalennium M6
1x SF M3
2x SF A2
1x McGizmo Sundrop
1x McGizmo Sapphire
1x Novatac P120
1x Muysondt Aeon
... all with their batteries/cells inside, and some spares. Other lights, chargers etc were in my checked baggage.

No-one at check-in or X-ray/security batted an eyelid at any stage.

DM51 said:

I have just returned from 2 weeks overseas (intercontinental flights) and in my carry-on baggage were the following:

1x MaxaBeam
1x Polarion PH40
1x SF M6
1x Megalennium M6
1x SF M3
2x SF A2
1x McGizmo Sundrop
1x McGizmo Sapphire
1x Novatac P120
1x Muysondt Aeon
... all with their batteries/cells inside, and some spares. Other lights, chargers etc were in my checked baggage.

No-one at check-in or X-ray/security batted an eyelid at any stage.

Click to expand...

What bezel do you have on your M6's? I'm assuming my RPM 8TC bezel on my M6 wouldn't make it past the search.

-Mayo

They are the slightly crenellated ones - not flat, but not combat or porcupine-style. I do have a CB one, but decided not to take it for that reason.

DM51 said:

I have just returned from 2 weeks overseas (intercontinental flights) and in my carry-on baggage were the following:

1x MaxaBeam
1x Polarion PH40
1x SF M6
1x Megalennium M6
1x SF M3
2x SF A2
1x McGizmo Sundrop
1x McGizmo Sapphire
1x Novatac P120
1x Muysondt Aeon
... all with their batteries/cells inside, and some spares. Other lights, chargers etc were in my checked baggage.

No-one at check-in or X-ray/security batted an eyelid at any stage.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure where you went but that sounds like one heck of a fun trip!

I remember your pictures from Africa in which you illuminated an large bull elephant with your Maxabeam...

Same place, no particularly dramatic photos this time, but lighting up crocs at night is fun.

Great picture of that fella! I'm guessing it was illuminated by one of the M6's as it looks like and incan shot. It also looks like you were fairly close to the water's edge or in a boat. Thanks for sharing it DM.

It's great to know that you got these light in your carry on without any hassle.