Question about flying with a flashlight.

[fjolnirsson]

Has anybody flown recently and carried a flashlight on their person? Specifically a Streamlight Scorpion?
Against my wishes, beliefs and better judgement, I must fly from Oregon to CA and back about two weeks from now.
Is wearing my flashlight on board even a viable option? It will be the only thing I take with me, in the way of weaponry, as I don't have any folders I am willing to place in my checked luggage, for fear of them going "missing".
I was wondering if I should just make do with a rolled up newspaper.Or will that get me singled out, too?

 

[Telperion]

I recently flew from CA to OR and back with a Surefire M2 on me. No problems, but YMMV. I've found that the highly trained monkeys at the TSA are inconsistent with what piques their interest on the scanner.

 

[Ringer]

I have flown at least 3 times this year with a Surefire E1E in my laptop bag and a Surefire G2 and/or Streamlight (2L) Twin Task, which I think is similar in size and appearance to the Scorpion, in my carry on bag . Never been an issue for me.

 

[The_Antibubba]

Perception

Don't "wear" it as you pass through the checkpoint. Take it out of the pouch (black cordura looks too "tactical") and put it in your carryon. After you get through the checkpoint (which you should, because a lot of people pack a flashlight), go to the restroom and put it back on. No one, not even TSA, will question it, because a) it's just a flashlight, and b) if you'r wearing it, and you're past the checkpoint, "It must be okay."

 

[Old Dog]

Fly commercial often, have my "tactical" flashlights (Surefires and Streamlights) in my carry-ons ... never a problem ... Why would flashlights be a problem?

 

[borderguy]

No problems ever with a flashlight. The TSA gave me grief about handcuffs though.

 

[SKN]

As long as your light doesn't have one of those bezels with the crown points you should be OK.

 

[WYO]

I haven't had any problems whatsoever with all the junk I carry on in my laptop bag, including Mini-Mag plus Scorpion or SureFire, multiple chargers and power adapters, phone cord, etc.

 

[PromptCritical]

Got a question to add: My Scorphion has a TID. Would that be a problem?

http://www.gggaz.com/products/tid_scorpion_stinger.php

Edit: Whoops didn't see the earlier post about this. Eh, what to do?

 

[The_Antibubba]

TID

PromptC,

Put it in your checked baggage-that would be considered a weapon, and confiscated.

 

[GigaBuist]

I thought you were trying to fly a little prop plane at night with a flashlight. when I saw the thread title.

Question about flying with a flashlight? Sounds dangerous to me

 

[slickbt]

I have been reluctant to fly with a flashlight for a while, I don't like the idea of some greedy TSA guy "confiscating" my expensive light. I fondly remember the days before 9/11 when I could carry a light and a blade as long as it was under 4", tho for some reason, I couldn't take a serrated blade.

 

[fjolnirsson]

I thought you were trying to fly a little prop plane at night with a flashlight. when I saw the thread title.

LMAO!

 

[ClonaKilty]

Is wearing my flashlight on board even a viable option? It will be the only thing I take with me, in the way of weaponry,

As others here have said, no it is not a problem. I had a Surefire w/me on my flight yesterday with zero problems.

I don't have any folders I am willing to place in my checked luggage, for fear of them going "missing".

I also checked my handguns AND 'tactical folder' AND a can of Fox with zero problems.

I fly extensively each week, all year long. Trust me, TSA is not your problem. Before they took over, the rent-a-cops at walk-through security were far, far worse. They would ROUTINELY steal stuff from the conveyor belt X-ray. A co-worker's cell phone was swiped right before our eyes, and the rent-a-cop steadfastly denied it and there was nothing he could do -- we had to catch a flight. Co-worker's laptops used to go missing all the time, pre- 9/11., This hasn't happened at all since TSA took over. And I say all this as a Libertarian.

You DO need to watch out for the baggage handlers though. Make your bag look humdrum, and put a zip-tie through the zipper togs. Check it when it comes off the line and if it's broken, go right to baggage office.

 

[45 ACP]

I've flown for more than 3 years with my Surefire E2E (non-Defender model). I put it in the plastic tray with my shoes, belt, watch, cellphone, etc. etc. before passing through the magnetometer.

No problems ever.

It is quite entertaining when some TSA agent invariably asks, "What's this?"

Before I can reply, they've proceeded to temporarily blind themselves after pushing the tailcap with the "business" end pointed at their face.

 

[NukemJim]

Anyone have any idea about the "new" surefires with the scalloped ends as far as taking them onboard a flight ?

NukemJim

 

[45 ACP]

While there is no "official" policy, any over-ambitious TSA agent could technically confiscate any item they deem to be a "weapon".

I hate to say it, but what would you do? Miss your flight or hang out at security to argue about your flashlight?

 

[45 ACP]

While there is no "official" policy, any over-ambitious TSA agent could technically confiscate any item they deem to be a "weapon".

I hate to say it, but what would you do? Miss your flight or hang out at security to argue about your flashlight?

 

[scottgun]

I flew over the summer with my Surefire E1 in my carry-on backpack, the screener at the scanner thought it may be mace or pepper spray, they dug through the backpack looking for the questionable item. I'm thinking 'oh sh-no', I hope I didn't leave anything in there that should'nt be. I try to always carry pepper spray if I'm carrying, and it ends up in my backpack from time to time. Although I'm quite thorough when packing for a flight.

The screener was very aplogetic and searching my pack, indicating which portion of the bag the item in question was located. She found the flash light and all was good. I made a comment that Surefire lights make some cool flash lights. As I was walking away I wondered if it was legal to say Surefire while you are going through security. I hate the new regulations we are forced to deal with. I wouldn't fly except to visit the PRofNY from which I moved.

We still have the privilege to fly with a flashlight, it's legal for the time being. Even the scary black tactical ones.

 

[rl2669]

I carry a Surefire E2E every day, including on days when I fly. Its never been questioned by TSA...I also own a Z3, which I've never tried to bring on an aircraft, mostly because its too big to fit into a jeans pocket.

I find having a small flashlight on hand at all times is extremely valuable in reacting to sudden power failures, times its just too dark to see something, etc.

Rob

 

[rl2669]

I carry a Surefire E2E every day, including on days when I fly. Its never been questioned by TSA...I also own a Z3, which I've never tried to bring on an aircraft, mostly because its too big to fit into a jeans pocket.

I find having a small flashlight on hand at all times is extremely valuable in reacting to sudden power failures, times its just too dark to see something, etc.

Rob

 

[OldStar]

On the Neal Boortz talk-radio talk show, Neal reported that a TSA guy took a flashlight away from the AIRLINE PILOT.

The pilot explained that he needed the flashlight to do the aircraft pre-flight. It was dark and he wanted to look up into the wheel wells, etc.

The TSA guy was finally over-ruled by his supervisor. :banghead:

My flashlight goes into checked luggage.

Good grief!

 

[316SS]

On the Neal Boortz talk-radio talk show, Neal reported that a TSA guy took a flashlight away from the AIRLINE PILOT.

The pilot explained that he needed the flashlight to do the aircraft pre-flight. It was dark and he wanted to look up into the wheel wells, etc.

Good Lord. We wouldn't want the guy FLYING THE PLANE to be able to SEE CLEARLY.

I'm guessing that the TSA agent was pushing the envelope to determine the limit of his authority. You know, like a four-year-old seeing what he can get away with.

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