Lighters and Flying

[vetteheadracer]

Did you know that as of the 11th of April 2005 you can't take a lighter or a box of matches on a plane leaving a US airport?

Nope, me neither which is why it cost me $14 to post my own zippo back to my home address. I assume it will take a few weeks before the lighter turns up again as I assume that it will be sent sea mail.
Upon arrival I am sure that whoever delivers it (Fedex / UPS) will demand import duty / VAT on something I already own.........:banghead:

I discovered this little gem whilst exiting the US last Sunday (Sept 11th) from Logan Airport in Boston which is of course the main cause of current world airport security madness..............


BTW you can fly to the US carrying a lighter / matches as long as they are in hold luggage, but apparently you can't bring them back!

Any other stupid rules I have missed?

[andy mac]

When i flew back from JFK to the UK, via Paris, they had all the usual checks. No nail clippers, no tweezers, and all the usual, and yet, when i got onboard, and they served up the delighful cuisine, lo and behold, meatal knives and forks! Seems a bit silly really!

[mr_tony]

vetteheadracer said:

BTW you can fly to the US carrying a lighter / matches as long as they are in hold luggage, but apparently you can't bring them back! Any other stupid rules I have missed?

My main bugbear is that a plasic fork was removed from me, yet the 2 1 litre vodka bottles I was carrying were not. I mean a broken bottle is a genuinely dangerous item, I doubt I'd be too keen on tacking someone weilding one. Bet your bottom dollar I'd go in headfirst aginst the guy with the plastic fork though!!!

[marcos maniac]

I flew into the U.S from Gatwick a couple of weeks ago - we were informed at check in (by the security Chap) - No lighters allowed whatsoever!

had my zippo in my pocket - lucky a mate who took us up was still there so took it home with him.

we changed flights in the U.S - video cameras and laptops have to be taken out of their bags prior to x-ray - OOPS they found a lighter in my camera case - I forgot it was there
Pain in the ass for smokers - you check in, pass through security - find the smoking area then you got to leg it to the shop for a box of matches or a lighter ;rolleyes:

[BliarOut]

And how do these lighters get back to the UK in the end..... More than likely in the hold of the plane you are not allowed to take them on in the first place as frickin cargo

Cnuts

[marcos maniac]

vetteheadracer said:

Any other stupid rules I have missed?

when i flew back the Security were making all male passengers remove their shoes and put them through the X-ray machine why only the men

[hugoagogo]

lots of mens shoes/boots have a big metal bit in them and set off the metal detector

[silversun]

marcos maniac said:

vetteheadracer said: Any other stupid rules I have missed? when i flew back the Security were making all male passengers remove their shoes and put them through the X-ray machine why only the men

Because only men are terrorists, of course!

[Marshy]

I got put through the mill in the US recently... Flew into San Francisco with nothing more than the usual X-ray checks on my shoes.

However, I also took a side trip to Austin and got hauled out of line for extra-special attention. You know: shoes off, belt off, wanded while standing with legs apart and arms out, hand luggage thoroughly searched etc. Fair enough, I thought, as the odd random check does no harm.

The question is why, then, did they do it to me on the return flight from Austin to California FFS? I seethe at the lack of joined up thinking with regard to airport/line security, and this is just another example of it.

I won't wear trousers that need a belt to stay up again, mind...

[andy mac]

I had a random check like that from Syracuse to JFK. Only took a few minutes. Apparently the chap said the airlines randomly pick people for it.

[marcos maniac]

andy mac said:

I had a random check like that from Syracuse to JFK. Only took a few minutes. Apparently the chap said the airlines randomly pick people for it.

I've had it happen to me a few times in the past - at the departure gate, outbound and inbound when flying to and from Florida.
What gets me is the looks you get from other passengers in the queue nudge nudge - he looks dodgy

The metal detector is my downfall - coins, keys, belt mobile, watch, lighter etc - always miss something and manage to set it off
The ladies have it easy - everything in their handbag - through the scanner it goes - out the other end and they pick it up and waltz off leaving you to grab your hand luggage, stuff coins and keys back in your pockets, thread your belt back through clip your phone back on etc. By the time you have done it they are either out of sight or muttering why does it take you so long

[andy mac]

When they did it to me, a few weeks back, they had a stick with a wad on the end, that they run through your bag, then put it in a machine. Anyone know what this is? is it for traces of explosives, or drugs or something, and the machine reads the wad, or is something much more benign?

[ErnestM]

Zippo lighters are ok in checked luggage, you just need a special case:

www.zippo.com/otterBox/zippootterbox.aspx

Also, you can have up to 4 books of safety (book) matches as carry on. I had two during my recent flight and just bought a $1 butane lighter after departing the plane. I left the Dunhill at home.

Might have to get a zippo...


ErnestM

[thebluemonkey]

andy mac said:

When they did it to me, a few weeks back, they had a stick with a wad on the end, that they run through your bag, then put it in a machine. Anyone know what this is? is it for traces of explosives, or drugs or something, and the machine reads the wad, or is something much more benign?

It's for explosives according to the operator. He didn't take kindly to being asked if his dog was off sick.