USA Lighter Ban

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#59504 by Pete
14 Apr 2005, 02:44
Definately not the best news I've heard. I'm still trying to figure out if you're still allowed to take a book of matches (the TSA rules used to say up to 6 books, although that may have changed).

Pete

#59507 by Scrooge
14 Apr 2005, 05:16
we spoke to the TSA on our way back through LAS..they told us we can take 4 book's of matches each..also you cannot place any lighters in your checked luggage...

Coming to an airport baggage claim near you "Dave's Lighter Store"

#59515 by mcuth
14 Apr 2005, 08:01
quote:Originally posted by Jetstreamer
As jetwet1 mentioned in the metal cutlery thread, from today (April 14th) any type of lighters are prohibited on flights to/from the USA.


As this is a TSA-enforced rule, and there's no TSA in the UK (thank [%DEITY%]), can't you can still take lighters on flights to the US?

quote:Originally posted by pixuk
I'm still trying to figure out if you're still allowed to take a book of matches


Yes, you're still allowed 4 books of matches in your carry-on - because, of course, unlike a lighter, they can't light anything

quote:Originally posted by jetwet1
also you cannot place any lighters in your checked luggage...


AFAIK lighters & matches have always been prohibited in checked baggage.

Cheers

Michael

#59517 by Jonathan
14 Apr 2005, 08:19
I'm sure enterprising airports will start having lighter stands[i] after arrivals so you can grab a lighter on the way out to have a smoke!

or you could just use matches?

#59524 by jaguarpig
14 Apr 2005, 10:06
You could always watch Ray Mears couple of sticks or a tinder box:D

#59539 by Pete
14 Apr 2005, 10:56
quote:Originally posted by mcuth

As this is a TSA-enforced rule, and there's no TSA in the UK (thank [%DEITY%]), can't you can still take lighters on flights to the US?


Good point! I wonder if we'll be able to find clarification on that?

Pete

#59540 by easygoingeezer
14 Apr 2005, 11:01
I think I read on VA FF website that no lighters past security at UK as well.

I wonder if they will have books of safety matches in the CH

#59541 by mcuth
14 Apr 2005, 11:04
quote:Originally posted by pixuk
Good point! I wonder if we'll be able to find clarification on that?


Couldn't see anything on the BAA site, and this item on VS' site seems to imply it's in the US only. I gotta say that I'll be most displeased if we pander to the TSA on this one.

Cheers

Michael

#59543 by easygoingeezer
14 Apr 2005, 11:09
oops my mistake, I thought it said all airports.

If its of any interest when I go on holiday I buy one of those nictinell inhalers, if you buy a starter pack you get six refills
an inhaler and a little plastic travel case to put them in. About £6 from boots, they are a bit strong but if you really get anxious or need a fag one puff and the urge goes away.

#59567 by mcuth
14 Apr 2005, 13:43
Hi E-G-G

Thanks for the tip - I have enough inhalers with my asthma meds though :D It's strange really - I smoke 2 packs a day, but can manage LHR>SFO pretty well these days without gum/patches ;)

BTW, here's the link to the lighters page on the TSA website

Cheers

Michael

#59584 by Scrooge
14 Apr 2005, 16:08
well even if VS allows you to take the lighter on the flight over,the TSA will take it away on the flight back.

Hell for the VS trip in nov let me know how many smokers are coming and i'll have lighters ready at LAS for you guys.

#59587 by Strawberry Muppet
14 Apr 2005, 16:17
Another completely over-the-top enforcement again by the TSA [:(!]! This isn't going to stop me from carrying a lighter to the US. I'll just have to make sure it's not my favourite Zippo - they're not pinching mine that's for sure:D

The Strawb

#59606 by Scrooge
14 Apr 2005, 17:13
From what the TSA guys told us at LAS it's not them who pushed for this,it's the airlines..they didn't seem to happy about it either..they did happen to be smoking when we talked to them :D

#59620 by ChuckC
14 Apr 2005, 17:56
The really odd thing is that the incident with the fellow who tried to light his shoes (and he has since admitted that he was trying to blow up the airplane and yes, he is an enemy of the US), occurred with matches, I'm told, rather than a lighter. Is my memory sound on that one?

And yes, no matches allowed in checked bags.

Regards to all,
Chuck-

#59627 by mcuth
14 Apr 2005, 18:29
quote:Originally posted by ChuckC
The really odd thing is that the incident with the fellow who tried to light his shoes (and he has since admitted that he was trying to blow up the airplane and yes, he is an enemy of the US), occurred with matches, I'm told, rather than a lighter. Is my memory sound on that one?


Indeed your memory isn't failing you my friend - Mr Reid did use matches to try to light his shoe bomb (article here). So you see, it makes perfect sense to ban lighters - especially since that 1 incident in however many years proves there's a massive & imminent threat

BTW jetwet1, I think you're right that the TSA aren't happy about the ban - was reading a TSA screener's comments in the Travel Safety & Security forum on FT, and got the impression they didn't call for it. But then, they are the ones that have to enforce it, and given some of their other daft policies, it's not hard to get the opposite impression ;)

Cheers

Michael

#59631 by mitchja
14 Apr 2005, 18:41
I'd be interested to know if the VS matches you get in the CH are still allowed as I know for sure that I'm probably going to forget safety matches for my next flight.

I know not many of us smokers do it (well I dont anyway) but technically you are supposed to carry your cigs and lighter sorry safety matches on your person once on board an A/C. BMI are the only airline I know of that actaully make a point of telling you this during the safety demo. Mind you you are usually buckled up and pulling back from the stand at this point anyway.

Regards

#59700 by Jetstreamer
14 Apr 2005, 23:19
Just to clarify:-

The TSA prohibits anyone leaving or enteringthe USA from carrying lighters in the restricted areas of US airports and on board aircraft.

If during a flight to the USA a passenger informs the crew that they are carrying a lighter then they must be advised to surrender it to a Customs Officer on arrival.

Safety matches can still be carried on your person (not in hold or hand luggage).

#59711 by mcuth
15 Apr 2005, 00:14
Hi Jetstreamer

Thanks for the clarification.

So, let me get this straight - If I want to go to SFO, I can carry my lighter through check-in & pass through security at LHR, spend 4hrs using the lighter and smoking in the CH, get on the plane and sit there for 11hrs with the lighter safely in my pocket, get off the plane and walk through the arrivals corridor, safely pass immigration and collect my bags. The problem would most likely arise at Customs where I'd get the lighter confiscated. Of course, this is a good....oooooh.....3 minutes from the exit - where of course, I would be able to use the very same lighter I'd been carrying for some 15hrs since checking in.....if it hadn't been confiscated some 3 minutes earlier!

How perfectly sensible [:(!]

(BTW, above isn't intended as a dig at your good self :))

Cheers

Michael

#59717 by Strawberry Muppet
15 Apr 2005, 00:33
quote:Originally posted by Jetstreamer

If during a flight to the USA a passenger informs the crew that they are carrying a lighter then they must be advised to surrender it to a Customs Officer on arrival.


Hmmm...could NOT believe what I was reading here. Absolutely maddening this is! [:(!][:(!][:(!] So when going through customs you're supposed to "declare" your lighter as it's banned inside the airport? Some of those people from the TSA need a good kicking up the backside!

The Strawb

#59721 by Decker
15 Apr 2005, 00:38
On the bright side it lessens the possibility of an impromptu Bon Jovi concert erupting - nothing to wave...

#59725 by Richard28
15 Apr 2005, 00:49
quote:Originally posted by Decker
On the bright side it lessens the possibility of an impromptu Bon Jovi concert erupting - nothing to wave...


Like it!!!!!!!

#59729 by mcmbenjamin
15 Apr 2005, 02:36
Lighter has been banned in USA planes since about 1970 under US 14 CFR 49.

It prohibits lighters because of the change in pressure could cause them to explode and also when using them after landing, they could be damaged; causing injury.

But the law has not been inforced.

Just a little tidbit from an aviation student.

Benjamin

#59731 by Svenska
15 Apr 2005, 02:42
Hmmm...interesting to note!

#59737 by mcmbenjamin
15 Apr 2005, 05:42
Well I typed too fast. It is 49 CFR 1500-1572 that govern air security; for domestic, flag and foreign carriers.

Rules are meant to keep the honest honest. People will break it. Lighters are not the problem. The lack of customer service is the problem that has lead to the two recent fights onboard; one including an FAA employee hitting a fight attendent.

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Benjamin
Virgin Atlantic
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