My TSA Flashlight Inquiry

After the flashlight "incident" at LAX yesterday, I sent an email inquiry to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the agency responsible for baggage screening at the nation's airports, regarding official word on whether there will be restrictions of any kind on flashlights and/or batteries in checked or carry-on luggage for passengers or flight personnel. I received an immediate response (probably automatic) stating that I could expect a prompt reply to my inquiry.

Should anyone else care to submit questions or comments, their email addy is [email protected]

Please keep us posted with what they have to say. I wonder if they changed anything because of the incident. I sure hope not.

Before my trip this summer I emailed them about a flashlight I was considering bringing and received a reply with their website with banned items. It didn't answer my question at all.

I wrote and called but the best I got was the PDF file you can download from their site about what's allowed but even that is contradictory.

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Anybody ever get the straight skinny on the "incident"? The description sounds like hydrogen off gassing from a standard C cell. The TSA guy probably tried to open it up and got a loud pop as the gas escaped, no fire involved. Probably scared him seriously though and with fear goes our right to keep and bear flashlights. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/Christo_pull_hair.gif

LT

I checked out the PDF file on the TSA website before emailing them. I don't think there was anything at all regarding flashlights or batteries...yet. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Sotto,

I don't remember exactly but I believe the catchall term was "Club-like objects" and leaves it to the screener to decide; though I think that "large Maglite type flashlight" was given as an example.

LT

Long ago (way before the TSA came into being) I carted a 6-D Maglite in my carry-on bag for a couple of flights. I had to check the carry-on one time and then stopped traveling with it. I wouldn't even attempt to carry something that big today.

However, that brings up another question: Has anyone here ever had problems carrying flashlights on flights...

Ok, scratch that. I did a word search on 'airport' and saw that there was some discussion of this a while ago. FWIW, I travel a lot (yes, through Atlanta ^_-) and have never had problems with a Mini-Maglite and a Mag Solitaire. Nobody has even ever asked to open my bag with them in it after it has been X-rayed. I have, however, had a laser pointer seized before (I was escorted to a desk where I had the option of paying postage to have it mailed home; it was never explained why I couldn't board with it). I now have a Pelican M6 LED and haven't tried to carry it yet. It's slightly bigger than the Mini-Mag. If my $9 Mini-Mag had ever been taken it would've been irritating, but losing a $60 light would be a completely different matter.