Butane Lighters & Traveling
- Thread starter JimmyC
- Start date
To my understanding, No you cannot take torch lighters with you. Im not sure about soft flame lighters though?
The article you are looking for has been covered before. Here is the link Flying with Lighters
Hope that helps,
-Chrisso
The article you are looking for has been covered before. Here is the link Flying with Lighters
Hope that helps,
-Chrisso
Torch lighters are a no no!
Jere, you realize we are talking about Jamaica.. Home of the big joint.. lol Of course they let lighters in lol. Sorry couldn't resist.
Spot on advice there.
First off, you can't rely on the rules - I fly enough to know that how they are applied is different at various airports and often at the same airport. And there is seldom any point in arguing...
So here is my PERSONAL experience as someone who flies too damn much:
Domestic US Flights:
- Non refillable, soft butane lighters like a BIC or DJeep are typically allowed in carry on with no case.
- Refillable lighters soft butane lighters like a Dupont or Dunhill are seldom allowed in carry on.
- Torch style lighters and refillable lighters are typically allowed in checked baggage only if they are in a TSA/DOT approved case.
- Butane cans are never allowed in any luggage, checked or uncheck. There may be some sort of approved method, but I do not know it off hand.
International Flights Departing from US:
- Same standards are typically applied as those Domestic US Flights.
International Flights Originating from Outside the US including those Returning:
- It varies greatly from country to country in my experience, but more times than not I have ALL lighters taken from me, even soft butane ones in checked bags enclosed in TSA/DOT approved cases.
And finally, this is TYPICALLY what happens, but I have experienced just opposite of all the above on more than a few occasions, so it is for this reason I never ever fly with a expensive lighter anymore.
Hope this helps,
Steve Saka
CEO, Drew Estate
So here is my PERSONAL experience as someone who flies too damn much:
Domestic US Flights:
- Non refillable, soft butane lighters like a BIC or DJeep are typically allowed in carry on with no case.
- Refillable lighters soft butane lighters like a Dupont or Dunhill are seldom allowed in carry on.
- Torch style lighters and refillable lighters are typically allowed in checked baggage only if they are in a TSA/DOT approved case.
- Butane cans are never allowed in any luggage, checked or uncheck. There may be some sort of approved method, but I do not know it off hand.
International Flights Departing from US:
- Same standards are typically applied as those Domestic US Flights.
International Flights Originating from Outside the US including those Returning:
- It varies greatly from country to country in my experience, but more times than not I have ALL lighters taken from me, even soft butane ones in checked bags enclosed in TSA/DOT approved cases.
And finally, this is TYPICALLY what happens, but I have experienced just opposite of all the above on more than a few occasions, so it is for this reason I never ever fly with a expensive lighter anymore.
Hope this helps,
Steve Saka
CEO, Drew Estate
Here is the real rule read it for yourself
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
"Common Lighters - Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation (DOT) exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case. If you are uncertain as to whether your lighter is prohibited, please leave it at home."
Torch lights NO NO NO
That DOT approved case means very specifically a small otterbox case (not similar). I've had TSA inspected checked luggage and no problem with my otterbox.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
"Common Lighters - Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation (DOT) exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case. If you are uncertain as to whether your lighter is prohibited, please leave it at home."
Torch lights NO NO NO
That DOT approved case means very specifically a small otterbox case (not similar). I've had TSA inspected checked luggage and no problem with my otterbox.
I've flown many times over the years with my triple flame torch lighter. I've always emptied it and carried it in an approved DOT-SP approved case. Never once have I had an issue, though I've had my bags searched almost every time (I swear they always mess with my neatly folded underwear). The case I have is a Prometheus Travel Case and has in big bold print "Lighter in this packaging conforms to DOT-SP 14415 and may be transported in checked baggage by domestic passenger aircraft." But on that note, even though I've never had a problem, I never travel with a really nice lighter. If I buy a nice lighter where I go, I mail it back instead of risking carrying it on the plane. Caveat though too, I only fly domestic.
Rupe
Suburban robot that monitors reality -BOM Feb.'13
I travel quite a bit and have never had an issue with a disposable (Bic or Djeep) lighter in my carry-on baggage domestically. Travelling internationally (back to the US) is a different animal though and I have had disposable lighters confiscated every time coming home from China but have not had an issue coming home from Europe. I'm not sure about Jamaica so I would have to defer to someone with more experience on that.
As far as nicer lighters, I had to stop carrying my soft flame Colibri simply because it led to my bag getting searched every damn time. Quite frankly I could have had a machete or something in my second carry on bag and they would have missed it because they were so focused on my Colibri Lighter. Since the best advice is to not bring anything you don't want to lose I now leave it at home.
My suggestion for your situation would be to bring a couple of bics with you in your carry-on. If they do get tagged on your way home, you're not out much. Otherwise if you may want to take a chance with a couple of Ronson Jetlites in a Colibri Transpack (DOT approved) in your checked luggage. The lighters are only $3 each at Wally Mart and you should be able to get the Colibri case pretty cheap on Cbid. That is what I do for domestic flights and I have never had an issue.
As far as nicer lighters, I had to stop carrying my soft flame Colibri simply because it led to my bag getting searched every damn time. Quite frankly I could have had a machete or something in my second carry on bag and they would have missed it because they were so focused on my Colibri Lighter. Since the best advice is to not bring anything you don't want to lose I now leave it at home.
My suggestion for your situation would be to bring a couple of bics with you in your carry-on. If they do get tagged on your way home, you're not out much. Otherwise if you may want to take a chance with a couple of Ronson Jetlites in a Colibri Transpack (DOT approved) in your checked luggage. The lighters are only $3 each at Wally Mart and you should be able to get the Colibri case pretty cheap on Cbid. That is what I do for domestic flights and I have never had an issue.
danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
Thanks for posting this. Packing stuff for my vacation tonight and totally forgot to pack the lighter and cutter...doh!
Dan
Dan
JuYcEmAn
¡Soy un esnob de Fuente!
I, too, travel extensively. I bring my torch lighter only if I check my luggage. I pack it in an approved case. Otherwise, I pack a box of wooden matches in my carry-on. I have made the mistake, once, of packing my torch lighter in my carry-on, but felt "lucky" I was not checked or had it confiscated.