Congress Bans Lighters From Airliners

In an Associated Press news article (click here to see the complete article) that was posted on Wednesday, December 9, 2004 it indicated that Congress has passed a bill to ban cigarette lighters from all planes.

While passengers are already prohibited from smoking on commercial flights, if this bill becomes law, then people won't be allowed to bring their butane lighters on board either.

Included in the intelligence reform bill passed Wednesday, lighters were included with the already long list of items - including scissors, pen knives and box cutters - that are barred from being taken aboard planes. The ban would not apply to lighters included in checked luggage. Under the bill, matches would still be allowed.

Democratic Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota have been the driving forces lobbying for the change for more than a year, after they learned the Transportation Security Administration allowed lighters to be carried on planes.

The article quoted Dorgan as saying, "When I found out that they had explicitly, in their rule, said you could take two butane lighters and four books of matches on board, I thought,' What have they been drinking?'"

Dorgan cited FBI reports that Richard Reid - the would-be "shoe-bomber" - would have been able to ignite the explosives in his shoes and blow up a trans-Atlantic jetliner three years ago if he'd had a butane lighter aboard with him.

Dorgan further is quoted as saying, "This is probably not the biggest thing in the world, But it's one of those areas where a big government agency couldn't develop a little bit of common sense about something so obvious."

If President Bush signs the intelligence reform bill into law, the ban takes effect 60 days later.

For your information, you can access the Transportation Security Administration on the internet at  http://www.tsa.gov

What do YOU think - should cigarette lighters be banned?  Click on the  Reply icon below, type in your thoughts and click on the Post  icon.  Then you can follow along in reading responses posted here by other members, to find out their thinking.

<< The ban would not apply to lighters included in checked luggage.  >>

I wonder if Congress is aware that you are not allowed to put lighters in checked baggage?

http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_8_23_2004.pdf

But I agree that the permitted carry-on is unnecessary.

Hugh
Windows XP Pro build 2600 + SP2.....MSIE6.0 2900.2180
Connecting through RoadRunner Cable Modem

Dave, what about cell phones--we got a notice that our 2 cellphones had these dangerous counterfeit batteries in them that could catch fire->>

Couple monhths ago there was an incident at LAX in the Bradley terminal.  Apparently, at the checkpoint, batteries in a flashlight being checked exploded.  I believe one or two TSA employees went to the hospital.  The entire terminal was evacuated while the situation was evaluated. 

>The entire terminal was evacuated while the situation was evaluated.<

Mase, incredible!  How is the average layperson supposed to keep up with all these deceits!   Regards, Len

"The ban would not apply to lighters included in checked luggage."

I once had several of the long stemmed butane lighters that I wanted to use in Mexico (for lighting the gas range and, perhaps, a candle or two).  They cost about a buck back home and weren't available in Mexico, at that time.  I put them in a checked bag, but wondered if they would behave o.k. being in non-pressurized storage and if they would raise any suspicion if the bag were inspected  Everything went fine, but I don't think I'd do that again.

IMHO, it would be better to have passengers check their lighters with the flight attendants before takeoff than to have them in the cargo luggage hold.

Dave

http://www.alwaysakumal.com

"The baggage compartments are pressurized."

Thanks, Larry.  I was under the impression that some were and some weren't (had heard something in regards to transporting an animal).

Dave

http://www.alwaysakumal.com

The only unpressurized baggage compartments I've seen are the add-on pods you'll see on some turboprops.  Structurally, it's much easier to pressurize the whole tube than to build odd-shaped pressure bulkheads to exclude parts of the tube.

The cargo areas are typically not heated directly so they do tend to get quite cold.  When there are checked animals they have to put them in particular places which do get heat.

Hugh
Windows XP Pro build 2600 + SP2.....MSIE6.0 2900.2180
Connecting through RoadRunner Cable Modem

<< Hugh, talk about gunpowder on planes-- >>

No thank you -- I don't want to get on a black list .... <g>

Hugh
Windows XP Pro build 2600 + SP2.....MSIE6.0 2900.2180
Connecting through RoadRunner Cable Modem

Pete,

When have you seen the bottles checked for proof level?  I have never observed them checking this.