F the TSA

[drunkturkey]

This is complete BS.

I had (note... HAD) a plain 'ol Zippo lighter that I travel with, along with my cigars. Just recently went on vacation, flew out of Newark with it in my baggage in my cigar case... no problem... and the bag was hand checked by TSA (i had one of those little notes int there saying it had been checked).

So, on my way back, I do the same thing... I get home... another note, letting me know that something had been removed because it was prohibited in CHECKED baggage! They took my freken Zippo!!!! WTF??!??

I call them up, and they say I'm SOL. I ask... dosen't this need to be posted somewhere? And they say, No. You would have to read the TSA rules and regs to figure it out (couple thousand pages long!).

I mean, although my ligher was a cheapo, people have zippo's that they travel with worth a couple hund or more! Lesson learned, don't put any lighter in checked baggage... you have to CARRY IT ONTO THE PLANE!!! (yeah, that makes sense!).

I ask why it was let through on all my other 20 flights this year, and they say... well that was a security breach! F- them!

[mascan42]

They won't allow any flammables of any kind on a plane. I used to have to order a repair kit for work that included a tiny tube of crazy glue. I would always have to wait a week for it to arrive, because the flammable half-ounce of crazy glue couldn't be shipped air freight.

[drunkturkey]

My problem is that they will allow you to carry it onto the plane, but it can't be in checked luggage. So, I can use my lighter or matches while on board, but it's not safe for it to be in baggage. Ugh.

[Stinkysteve]

The truth is, someone just needed a light for their cigarette break.

[robification]

they dont allow lighters in the baggage compartment but DO allow them inside the plane...

most cigarette lighters are closed units unlike the zippo. because the baggage compartment isnt pressurized, as the plane goes up, the butane will expand to the lighters capacity and blow up... sorta like i'm sure you've heard happens with shaving cream.

[slap happy]

Someone stole that bad boy. the people they hire at TSA are little more then criminals anyway.