Airline Confiscates Empty Cigar Lighters Packed in Checked Luggage

Cigar Aficionado ^ | May 27, 2003 | James Suckling

[ml/nj]

What insanity!

Besides everything else, I guess I wonder why the Airline wouldn't charge the guy ten bucks and mail his dangerous cargo wherever he wanted it mailed. Treating customers like that is a sure path to bankruptcy.

ML/NJ

[Mulder]

F*cking Nazi bastards.

[ErnBatavia]

A Screwdriver has helped take off the edge.

I'm surprised they let him have one of those!

[basil]

Just one more reason why we drive everywhere these days. Of course that is only possible since we are retired and have no schedules to meet. We've got so many AA free air miles accumulated, it's a pity that we don't feel inclined to use them because of all of the silliness going on at airports. We can only hope they will wise up one of these days.

[agitator]

This guy is an idiot. He should have told them to take their tickets and stuff them where the sun doesn't shine and then filed suit against the little Nazi that swiped his lighters. Why is it that people willingly subject themselves to a trip through Nazi Germany (i.e., the US air transportation system), then complain when some dimwitted twit steals their stuff, then continue to pay them for the service???

[longtermmemmory]

can't drive over the atlantic.

There are rules in how to pack a gun, perhaps there is rules on how to pack lighters? I carried an old zippo (worth over 300 cents) in a suitcase without this happening about four months ago. What if he carried the lighter in his pocket? Something is missing to this story.

[Welsh Rabbit]

Does anyone know if a Leatherman multi-tool is allowed in checked luggage?

[Dixielander]

Cigar Dave needs to hear about that incident. Here's his website address: http://smokethis.com/home/index.shtml

[strela]

But I was really upset. It wasn't the money lost. It was something more disturbing. I felt that American Airlines had taken something more from me. Those were my lighters, personal things that I valued. One of them had traveled around the world with me. They were like old friends.

The author apparently treats his "old friends" in a fairly cavalier manner. The part of American Airlines' web site dealing with baggage policy states clearly "Ask before you pack your luggage or carry on board the following items, as they may be classified as dangerous goods or weapons which are restricted for transport by air ... Flammable Liquids or Solids: Fuel, paints, gas torches (including micro-torches and torch lighters) ...

A little due diligence on the author's part before traveling could have prevented his expensive surprise. Sorry, but I can't buy into the "poor li'l oppressed cigar smoker me" spin on this one.

(And another thing: I just can't see paying $150 for a freaking lighter. But hey, if you really want a $300 pair of socks, this is America I guess ...)

[HAL9000]

Does anyone know if a Leatherman multi-tool is allowed in checked luggage?

Go to www.tsa.gov and download the list of prohibited items.

The multi-tool is probably okay in checked luggage.

[KCmark]

It's not a license to steal. I've had to remind them of that twice now as they tried to take nice pens. Call security (local cops on airport duty) and tell them the airline is stealing. Of course, you have to have the time as you will probably miss your flight.

We have to stand up people. Do you feel safer? I don't.

[Atlas Sneezed]

My experience shows that you can pack a Leatherman in your checked suitcase, including for overseas travel.

[CholeraJoe]

Sue the B*stards! Lose weight, lose sleep, wake up screaming from the PTSD induced by their irresponsible and reckless behavior.

[savedbygrace]

Go to American Airlines' website and write an email to them. Or call. Whatever.

As much money as they are losing each day, I doubt it will matter much to them if you tell them you won't fly on their airline anymore, but you'll feel better for having vented.

[Political Junkie Too]

A little due diligence on the author's part before traveling could have prevented his expensive surprise.

Do you mean due diligence like emptying the lighters before packing them? Why would an airline still want to confiscate empty lighters from checked baggage stowed in an inaccessible part of the plane? What more was he supposed to do?

-PJ

[Sonny M]

This guy is an idiot.

Your right, first off, they were checked in, he had no access to them, secondly, if its an issue, they can have them mailed back to him, 3rd, if they gave him 2 hours, he should have said okay, and called a lawyer up to retrieve them, and filed suit. Even threating to call a lawyer to retrive them, would have scared the hell out of them.

[longtermmemmory]

lesson, carry lighter in your pocket.

[Servant of the Nine]

It is becomming obvious from reports that the screeners at John Wayne are purely and simply thieves, on the same level as say, Nigerian Customs Inspectors.

On the other hand I have already figured out that anything that matters needs to be Fed-Ex'd the day before

So9

[Welsh Rabbit]

Thanks!

[Beck_isright]

"Even threating to call a lawyer to retrive them, would have scared the hell out of them."

No it wouldn't have. AA doesnt care. They know that all the lawsuits in the world can be filed against them now and since most of their employees know they will probably go bankrupt. And once AA goes belly up, all of those lawsuits are moot. So don't expect any good treatment on Delta or AA. I'm sure NorthWest isn't far behind.