Flying with flashlights?

[sipowicz]

I was wondering if any of you had any experiences with carrying on lights that have the scalloped bezels for impacting like the E2d defender...I'm sure the TSA would consider it a weapon and not allow it on......I would not want to leave it in my luggage for fear of the TSA (to steal anything) making off with it....I was also thinking of maybe buying a regular bezel and tail cap and removing the scallops on the Surefire and stashing them in the checked luggage...on their own they wouldn't seem like booty to one of the badge bozos.......then just switch them out when you arrive...

 

[jkc]

Sip, I don't think I've ever tried to carry on my Defender model light, but have often carried on a 6P or more often, (and fairly recently) an E2E, without incident. Last I looked, flashlights were not on the list of taboo carry-on items (you may have problems with a clavicle-crushing 5 D-cell Maglite...) The scalloped bezel on the "Defender" versions is more a marketing gimmick than a practical weapon --- apart from the blinding illumination, the small, slim Surefire flashlights are fairly good substitutes for the Kubotan pain compliance device --- try one on a willing experimentee...

Once, the two business-suited travelers seated immediately in front of me were struggling to manipulate the overhead reading light switches as our plane staged on the taxiway, cabin lights off. Helpfully, I shone my Surefire's bright beam on the switch panel, aiding my fellow traveler in succesfully manipulating the controls.

One of the two said, "Thanks." The other said to his compadre, "What kind of nut carries a powerful flashlight like that?"

I replied, "The kind of nut that won't be leading you to the exit ramp when the plane is filled with smoke and about to sink..."

And thus ended our repartee ...

 

[zercool]

One of the two said, "Thanks." The other said to his compadre, "What kind of nut carries a powerful flashlight like that?"

I replied, "The kind of nut that won't be leading you to the exit ramp when the plane is filled with smoke and about to sink..."

And thus ended our repartee ...

"The kind of nut with a powerful gun to go with the light and an air marshal's badge to back them both up."

(Yeah, I know, it's illegal. So your answer wins.)

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Anything that could be used as a weapon is a NO-NO.
Also aerisol cans, any liquid over 4oz.and Toothpaste is a NO-NO.
I expect the day will come that passengers will be nude with negative baggage.
Jimmy

 

[McGivern]

I have been flying with my scalloped bezel Surefire for several years and never had it questioned. Just put in the basket with my keys, change, cell phone, etc. and it goes through the machine.

 

[n4zov]

Your question has been discussed quite a bit on the Candle Power Forum:

CandlePowerForums - Powered by vBulletin

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

True Story
Wife and I were coming back from visiting Brother in Law up on Long Island.
We were waiting for take off and the fligth attendants were closing the overhead bins and the lock on one broke and it would not close-well you can't take off with it open so the stewardess were scrambling and trying to tape it shut with band aids. the guy below remarks with a smirk-That's why you should always have duck tape in the emergency locker.
My wife pipes up-I have some! I'm sitting there with this whisky tango foxtrot look on my face. Wife gets he carry on from above-opens it up and pulls out a half roll of duck tape!!!!!!!! Now my wife is about 5'2" , has snow white hair and a wit like Betty White-I'm burying my head in my hands while she is the hero of the plane-The " little old lady" gets free drinks for the rest of the flight. All those years of traveling with the kids sailing finally paid off-duck tape-never leave home without it

 

[Glock 'em down]

True Story
Wife and I were coming back from visiting Brother in Law up on Long Island.
We were waiting for take off and the fligth attendants were closing the overhead bins and the lock on one broke and it would not close-well you can't take off with it open so the stewardess were scrambling and trying to tape it shut with band aids. the guy below remarks with a smirk-That's why you should always have duck tape in the emergency locker.
My wife pipes up-I have some! I'm sitting there with this whisky tango foxtrot look on my face. Wife gets he carry on from above-opens it up and pulls out a half roll of duck tape!!!!!!!! Now my wife is about 5'2" , has snow white hair and a wit like Betty White-I'm burying my head in my hands while she is the hero of the plane-The " little old lady" gets free drinks for the rest of the flight. All those years of traveling with the kids sailing finally paid off-duck tape-never leave home without it

Being a member of a redneck family (I'm NOT one personally ) I've heard all of my life...

"If you can't fix it - duck it!"

 

[paladin42]

My grand pappy used to tell me - "If it doesn't move and it's suppossed to, WD40. It it moves and it's not suppossed to, duck tape." He was a hillbilly farmer not a redneck.

Being a member of a redneck family (I'm NOT one personally ) I've heard all of my life...

"If you can't fix it - duck it!"

 

[feralmerril]

About 35 years ago my uncle died and I flew home. He was the uncle I have wrote about before with the impressive war record. He had a handbuilt knife that he "took" off a german solider. It had notchs on it. Uncle had gave me a story many years when I was growing up, I dont know if it was true or not, but I wanted that knife!
I inherited most his stuff and decided to bring that knife home to california with me. I put the dagger in a metal box. I got called to the counter to open the box. They went almost "ape ---t" when I opened the box! They called a 80 year old guard to escourt me to another area where my suite case was to put it in. I told the guard to carry it. He said, no you carry it, and followed me! He was real old, I was about 35, and I go ahead with him following me, and me carrying this pig sticker through the crowd! I didnt bother telling him I had almost the same job in california as he did! I would have only ended up insulting him had I!

 

[Andy Griffith]

I thought the lithium batteries were what was banned, not the tactical flashlight itself.

I'd suggest $40.00 worth of Ike dollars in rolls cemented together with dried grape jelly in a sock works pretty well.
However, it doesn't provide much light.

 

[target tech]

I've been out of the biz for 2 years now, but when I flew all over the country building shooting ranges, I carried a surefire E2D constantly. I was even at NSA, installing a portable range, the day the no caryon bottles of anything started, and was flying out of Reagan. They took my chapstick, but didn't look twice at the flashlight. This info is also two years old and alot has happened since then.

 

[TennTony]

Hi:
Anything that could be used as a weapon is a NO-NO.
Also aerisol cans, any liquid over 4oz.and Toothpaste is a NO-NO.
I expect the day will come that passengers will be nude with negative baggage.
Jimmy

This is not totally true. The idiots in charge only ban something after it has been used as a weapon. Otherwise women's stiletto heels would be on the list. A friend of mine designs camouflaged firearms. He has made a mini Maglite gun, Zippo lighter gun, cane gun, umbrella gun, tire pressure gauge gun, etc. The flashlight and lighter still performed their original functions but also contained single shot capabilities. A martial arts expert I know who can do serious damage with a pair of disposable chop sticks. Many tools become weapons in the hands of a warrior. If this fact is ever recognized we will all be anesthetized during air travel.

 

[jkc]

"Many tools become weapons in the hands of a warrior. If this fact is ever recognized we will all be anesthetized during air travel."

Dammit, don't give 'em any ideas...

 

[Faulkner]

I travel with my E2E all the time. If it's not in my sports coat pocket, it's in my computer bag. Not had any problems with it going through the metal detector in my pocket or through the x-ray machine in the bag.