flashlight on plane

[breakingtime91]

Flying for the first time in awhile on Wednesday and was unsure if flashlights are prohibited from being carried onto the plane?

[helothar]

Flying for the first time in awhile on Wednesday and was unsure if flashlights are prohibited from being carried onto the plane?

I had no problem getting a quark through TSA security. Lithium batteries are prohibited from being in checked luggage, though so any spares have to go in your carry on.

[HCM]

Flying for the first time in awhile on Wednesday and was unsure if flashlights are prohibited from being carried onto the plane?

TSA might balk at a 4D cell Maglight but but a normal one or two AA or lithium flashlight should not be an issue.A flashlight would be an excellent thing to have inside a plane in the event of an emergency.

[Bluedog]

I carried a few Elzettas (non strike bezels) and a surefire 6p on plane without any problems.

[breakingtime91]

It would be a surefire E1B

[JDM]

I've carried an E2Dled, an LX2, and an EB1 through security with no issues.

[Byron]

It would be a surefire E1B
You'll have no problem.

I always have a light on me and another 1 or 2 in carry-on. Never had a problem domestically or internationally (Chinese and South Korean airports).

[Side note: I always have EMT shears in my carry-on as well. Domestic security doesn't bat an eye at them, but they were confiscated when we departed from Beijing airport and I was put on some list. My wife says that I might get extra scrutiny next time I fly through China, assuming they still have me on said list. I only bring this up to point out that flashlights were a non-issue even under stricter airport security.]

[JDM]

I've also taken a Surefire Pen III through security multiple times without so much as a second look.

[Dropkick]

Back in Sept 2014, I didn't have any problems with a Nitecore SRT3 as part of my carry on. I can only guess that it being a single cell CR123 (small) and lacking any crenelated edges helped.

[breakingtime91]

So it shouldn't matter if I put it in the bin with my wallet and all that? I plan on carrying a backpack also but if I can just keep it in my pants pocket I would like it

[Dropkick]

So it shouldn't matter if I put it in the bin with my wallet and all that? I plan on carrying a backpack also but if I can just keep it in my pants pocket I would like it

Nope, you have to dump your pockets... just as long as it's in the bin... either loose or in a bag... it should be fine.

[Byron]

So it shouldn't matter if I put it in the bin with my wallet and all that?
Shouldn't matter at all.

If you're really worried (which you shouldn't be), put it in your backpack while in the security line, then move it to your pocket immediately after they let you through. But you really don't need to bother.

[Josh Runkle]

I fly with an EB1 and a SureFire pen all the time. No issues at all, aside from the occasional compliment about a nice pen or nice light.

[Clusterfrack]

Elzetta Alpha with crenellated bezel--no problems.

http://www.elzetta.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/650x650/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/j/c/jcl_4602_1.jpg

[LOKNLOD]

I ran my Streamlight PT1L through just the other day. No issues.

[ST911]

No issues with assorted flashlights, including crenelated bezels, US and overseas airports.

Helpful: Combine potentially interesting items to screeners into dull associations more likely to pass with a glance.

Tip: Carry a self addressed stamped envelope in your carry on. Affix sufficient postage to cover the heaviest object in your pocket clutter that could cause issues if TSA is wonky or you forgot a prohibited item. Won't help overseas, but you can usually find a mail drop somewhere in most US terminals.

[ReverendMeat]

I have the same surefire light. I just drop it in the bin with everything else, no issues so far.

[Totem Polar]

One more who's carried a surefire backup through security.

[Tamara]

So it shouldn't matter if I put it in the bin with my wallet and all that? I plan on carrying a backpack also but if I can just keep it in my pants pocket I would like it

Flying is where I love my Royal Robbins gun burkha shirts. I move everything from my jeans pockets to the "document pockets" in my shirt and then just toss the whole shirt into the bin, wallet and cash and tickets and flashlight and all. Plus, my little LED Lenser single-AAA light is more accessible from a shirt pocket while seated on the plane.

And if you're sitting in redneck first class (exit row) and checking the flashlight beam against your palm when they come by to do the exit row speech, they'll likely say "Oh, you're cool," and move on to the folks across the aisle.

[Cookie Monster]

Surefire Fury, no issues. In the bin with leather gun belt, wallet, phone, keys, and shoes.

Six flights this year.

Cookie Monster

[Chuck Haggard]

I've carried lights as big as my Estrella onto the plane, no issues.

[trailrunner]

I've carried a Surefire in my backpack for over a decade and a couple hundred thousand miles with no problem.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Glenn E. Meyer]

No problems with various Surefires in my laptop bag. There are anecdotal reports of 'tac' pens and lights being suspect but I couldn't find a solid TSA statement.

I do know that it can be weird. In Nov, 2001 - I had to fly and was carrying an automatic lead pencil. The TSA agent made me take it apart - there was a stiff wire that you took out and then put in the lead and then the wire to hold it. The agent started to wave it , yelling "Wha's DAT?". A National Guard Captain, sporting his M4, came over and said - For God's Sake - and gave me back my pencil.

[Wondering Beard]

Flying is where I love my Royal Robbins gun burkha shirts. I move everything from my jeans pockets to the "document pockets" in my shirt and then just toss the whole shirt into the bin, wallet and cash and tickets and flashlight and all..

Pretty much the same here.

Whatever jacket or vest I'm wearing gets to carry "everything" and gets dropped in the bin.

[BigT]

I always throw the torch in the carry on bag threw security. Then into the pocket on the other side. Just so as to not draw unnecessary attention.

[Joe in PNG]

I typically clip one of those micro-mini Streamlights to the main zipper of my lappy case. No problems on a few trips around the world.

[vaspence]

I flew to London on Thursday and back Sunday with an E1B and two smaller Fenix flashlights in my carry on. No issues.

[StraitR]

It would be a surefire E1B

Flown with an E1B plenty over the last several years, and more recently with an EB1. No problems.

[LHS]

I always fly with my old G2 on my belt. In almost a decade, I've only had two TSA morons even look at it twice. One guy insisted I open the pouch so that he could see the light, then waved me through. The other was far more amusing. She picked the light out of the bin, pointed it directly into her own eyes, and flashed herself. After she could see again, she said "Why do you have this?"

"To see in the dark."

[23JAZ]

Flying for the first time in awhile on Wednesday and was unsure if flashlights are prohibited from being carried onto the plane?

I just got back from Phoenix. Went through Bradley and Sky Harbor with a Fenix PD22 clipped to my pocket with no issues. I just threw it in the bucket with my wallet and belt while going through security.

[breakingtime91]

Waiting at the gate. Got commented on my Nice light and being prepared

[Slavex]

I usually have two, an Elzetta in my pocket and a Surefire in my hand luggage. I do carry spare batteries though, usually 8, and they are in my checked. Never had an issue, but that's probably because the guns and ammo distract them.
I am curious if anyone has tried to get on with a knife as I keep seeing it said that we are allowed to bring them on again, 3.5inch and smaller

[Nephrology]

I've flown upwards of a dozen times this year with a pocket light. No problems

[Tamara]

I am curious if anyone has tried to get on with a knife as I keep seeing it said that we are allowed to bring them on again, 3.5inch and smaller

I don't know about up there in the land of Molson and polar bears, but down here the loud and public mewling and cringing of the flight attendants union (http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2013/03/soft-docile-toothless-creatures.html) pretty much scotched the FAA's decision to re-allow 2" non-locking pen knives.

[StraitR]

I don't know about up there in the land of Molson and polar bears, but down here the loud and public mewling and cringing of the flight attendants union (http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2013/03/soft-docile-toothless-creatures.html) pretty much scotched the FAA's decision to re-allow 2" non-locking pen knives.

Quote from the link above....


...and she said something else, too, but I couldn't hear it over me yelling "No, honey, you're a waitress in a bad restaurant at 28,000 feet!" at the screen.
Posted by Tam @ 6:50 AM

Classic Tamara right there.

[Wendell]

...spare batteries though, usually 8, and they are in my checked. Never had an issue...

Lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods. Regulations - in Canada, the USA, and internationally - prohibit spare lithium batteries in checked baggage; spare lithium batteries must be kept with the passenger.

[Totem Polar]

Quote from the link above....



Classic Tamara right there.
The whole post is classic Tam.

I gravitate to this one, myself:

"At this rate I expect solid evidence of h. sapiens' eyes migrating towards the sides of the cranium over the next few generations."


As an aside, I suspect that many of us here could post personal stories about security lapses that we've seen firsthand that would stun the average traveler. I'm not going to post mine online (or further derail this thread), but I'm sure there are plenty of anecdotes out there.

[Tamara]

Lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods. Regulations - in Canada, the USA, and internationally - prohibit spare lithium batteries in checked baggage; spare lithium batteries must be kept with the passenger.

Even though I felt like a total tactidork doing so, I purchased one of those little o-ring equipped Surefire battery carriers so I could remove all the batteries from the stuff in the gun case and put them in my carry-on. It has a little holder in the middle where a spare xenon bulb would go to remind me of our past, when we still had gills and prehensile tails and needed to change our batteries every five minutes.

[ACP230]

My wife flew out today with a Mini-Maglight in her carry on.
No problems locally or passing through O'Hare.

Hoping it's the same on the way back.

[Drang]

Flying is where I love my Royal Robbins gun burkha shirts. I move everything from my jeans pockets to the "document pockets" in my shirt and then just toss the whole shirt into the bin, wallet and cash and tickets and flashlight and all. Plus, my little LED Lenser single-AAA light is more accessible from a shirt pocket while seated on the plane.

And if you're sitting in redneck first class (exit row) and checking the flashlight beam against your palm when they come by to do the exit row speech, they'll likely say "Oh, you're cool," and move on to the folks across the aisle.
I sent most of my trip to Nashville for the NRA Annual Meeting wearing my Scott eVest.


Lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods. Regulations - in Canada, the USA, and internationally - prohibit spare lithium batteries in checked baggage; spare lithium batteries must be kept with the passenger.
Safe Travel with Batteries and Devices | Transportation Security Administration (http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/safe-travel-batteries-and-devices)

TSA has and will continue to work closely with the FAA on potential aviation safety and security issues, and TSA security officers are thoroughly and continually trained to find explosive threats. TSA does not have plans to change security regulations for electronic devices powered by lithium batteries.
Which I am informed means "We are not battery cops."
(EDIT: but don't call me if one of them gets a wild hair up his ass...)

[Tamara]

Which I am informed means "We are not battery cops."
(EDIT: but don't call me if one of them gets a wild hair up his ass...)

I'd just hate to be on the one plane that burns up because I left the lithium batteries in my gigawatt Surefire stuffed in a tennis shoe. I figure, what the hell, I'll play along with that reg.

[Wendell]

Safe Travel with Batteries and Devices | Transportation Security Administration (http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/safe-travel-batteries-and-devices)
Which I am informed means "We are not battery cops."

It doesn't matter what the TSA website says or doesn't say; the law* is the law.


Now viewing e-CFR data in effect on April 1, 2015


Title 49 - Transportation
Title 49 → Subtitle B → Chapter I → Subchapter A


TITLE 49—Transportation
Subtitle B—OTHER REGULATIONS RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER I—PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
SUBCHAPTER A—HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND OIL TRANSPORTATION
175
175.1 to 175.900
CARRIAGE BY AIRCRAFT

Subpart A—GENERAL INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS

§175.10 Exceptions for passengers, crewmembers, and air operators.
(a) This subchapter does not apply to the following hazardous materials when carried by aircraft passengers or crewmembers provided the requirements of §§171.15 and 171.16 (see paragraph (c) of this section) and the requirements of this section are met:

(18) Except as provided in §173.21 of this subchapter, portable electronic devices (e.g., watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, laptop and notebook computers, camcorders, medical devices etc.) containing dry cells or dry batteries (including lithium cells or batteries) and spare dry cells or batteries for these devices, when carried by passengers or crew members for personal use. Portable electronic devices powered by lithium batteries may be carried in either checked or carry-on baggage. Spare lithium batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. Each installed or spare lithium battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Sub-section 38.3 and each spare lithium battery must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (e.g., by placement in original retail packaging, by otherwise insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals, or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch). In addition, each installed or spare lithium battery must not exceed the following:
(i) For a lithium metal battery, a lithium content of not more than 2 grams per battery; or
(ii) For a lithium ion battery, the Watt-hour rating must not exceed 100 Wh. With the approval of the operator, portable electronic devices may contain lithium ion batteries exceeding 100 Wh, but not exceeding 160 Wh and no more than two individually protected lithium ion batteries each exceeding 100 Wh, but not exceeding 160 Wh, may be carried per person as spare batteries in carry-on baggage.
(iii) For a non-spillable battery, the battery and equipment must conform to §173.159a(d). Each battery must not exceed a voltage greater than 12 volts and a watt-hour rating of not more than 100 Wh. No more than two individually protected spare batteries may be carried. Such equipment and spare batteries must be carried in checked or carry-on baggage.
(iv) Articles containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries the primary purpose of which is to provide power to another device must be carried as spare batteries in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.


http://www.ecfr.gov/

* eCFR > Title 49 → Subtitle B → Chapter I → Subchapter A > §175.10 (18)

[Glenn E. Meyer]

I found this guy to be a useful backup carry - 5.11 TMT PLx Penlight. I can put it in a shirt or jacket inside pocket as a backup for a regular Surefire (both of which I've gotten on the plane in my laptop case).

Last night, we went to the fancy steak house for Mom day. Dressed up, I was forbidden to wear the cargo pants and panoply of gear. Thus, the G42, one Delica and the PLX did it. It was so dark that we couldn't see the menu or wine list. The Plx served - but it did light up the universe and startle some. Wife asked if I could bop someone with that like the normal Surefire. She is learning.

[Dropkick]

I found this guy to be a useful backup carry - 5.11 TMT PLx Penlight. I can put it in a shirt or jacket inside pocket as a backup for a regular Surefire (both of which I've gotten on the plane in my laptop case).
A European buddy of mine who travels extensively has a 2x AAA Penlight that he keeps in this inside suit jacket pocket. Classy, non-threatening, but certainly usable for flash and / or smash.

[Clusterfrack]

I just ordered a non-crenellated bezel for my Elzetta Alpha for an upcoming Euro trip. Might as well not tempt fate.

[PPGMD]

I fly a couple of times a year. Sometimes they give me looks about my backpack, but I've never had anything where they said I could take it on the airplane.

[ACP230]

My wife had a short delay on the way out and a long one due to unexpected plane repairs on the way back.
The Mini Mag Lite drew no attention at all.

[PPGMD]

My wife had a short delay on the way out and a long one due to unexpected plane repairs on the way back.
The Mini Mag Lite drew no attention at all.

Old Lady: Why are we delayed?
Airline Rep: The pilot says the plane is unsafe to fly.
Old Lady: So we are waiting on a new plane?
Airline Rep: No, a new pilot.