The common lighter like cricket or a bic
doesn't contain butane gas or a needle-like flame
so as of April 4th, 2007
and the TSA is okay if your carry-on bag contains
this kind of flame inciting device
because in 2006 11 million lighters were confiscated for national security
the national average being 22,000 a day
and they'd rather be focusing on locating explosives
profiling behavior and conducting "random" screenings
than from encouraging folks to quit smoking
but torch lighters are still prohibited,
as are matches
for information on the history of this developing story
check out the "lighter time line" on the TSA's webpage
11,616,217 lighters confiscated by the TSA in 2007 at a national average of 22,000 a day. As of April 4, 2007 (another monumental occasion occuring on my 17th-and-a-half birthday) the "common lighter" became no longer prohibitted. For more information on this unfolding story, check out the "Lighter Timeline" on the TSA...'s website. Further down the page, please also consider this FAQ:
Q. Do passengers carrying breast milk need to taste it to prove
it is not a liquid explosive?
A. No. We will not ask a traveler to taste breast milk.
www.tsa.gov
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protects the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA's regulations, restrictions, and job openings are listed here.
