TSA lifting lighter ban on Aug 4th

[ohiostorm]

This is some good news to the smokers of the traveling world. Read on.

Cigarette lighters to be allowed again on airplanes

A 2-year-old ban will end on Aug. 4. Transportation officials said it was a waste of time and a distraction to security personnel.

WASHINGTON - Federal aviation officials have decided to stop enforcing a 2-year-old rule against taking cigarette lighters on airplanes, concluding that it was a waste of time to search for them before passengers boarded.

The ban was imposed at the insistence of Congress after a passenger, Richard Reid, tried to ignite a bomb in his shoe in 2001 on a flight from Paris to Miami.

Members of Congress said that if Reid had used a lighter, instead of matches, he might have been able to ignite the bomb. But Kip Hawley, assistant secretary for the Transportation Security Administration, said on Thursday that the ban had done little to improve aviation security because small batteries could be used to set off a bomb.

Matches have never been prohibited on flights.

"Taking lighters away is security theater," Hawley said. "It trivializes the security process."

The policy change is scheduled to take effect on Aug. 4.

It applies to disposable butane lighters, like Bics, and refillable lighters, like Zippos. Torch lighters, which have thin, hotter flames, will still be banned.

Security officers have been collecting about 22,000 lighters a day nationwide, slowing down lines at checkpoints. Even so, many smokers had found ways to sneak lighters through, often by placing more than one in a carry-on bag.

Disposing of the seized lighters has cost about $4 million a year.

By lifting the ban, Hawley said, security officers could spend more time looking for bombs or bomb parts.

"The No. 1 threat for us is someone trying to bring bomb components through the security checkpoint," he said. "We don't want anything that distracts concentration from searching for that."

A provision in the 2007 Homeland Security Department spending bill allowed the agency to stop enforcing the ban if it determined that "lighters are not a significant threat to civil aviation security."

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who in 2004 helped lead the effort to ban lighters, has not objected to the change, a spokeswoman said.

A ban on liquids in containers greater than 3 ounces, which was imposed last summer after the disruption of a plot based in London to blow up planes headed to the United States, will remain in effect, but the security agency will modify its rules related to breast milk.

Passengers will be allowed to carry breast milk in quantities greater than 3 ounces as long as it is declared for inspection at the security checkpoint. Currently, breast milk is allowed only if a passenger is traveling with an infant.

In late 2005, security officials lifted a ban on small scissors, screwdrivers and other small tools, making a similar argument that searching for them was a waste of time.

In the coming months, the agency will install new equipment intended to improve its ability to intercept explosives. The equipment will include advanced X-ray machines that rapidly examine carry-on bags from many angles, making it easier to identify bomb components, and hand-held devices that can determine whether a liquid might be explosive.

Fifteen liquid scanners are already in use, and two dozen of the advanced X-ray machines will have been tested at checkpoints by the fall.

Taken from http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1313770.html

[gtalum]

It's about time. Maybe next they will eliminate the ridiculous War on Liquids.

[Ptarmigan]

It's about time. Maybe next they will eliminate the ridiculous War on Liquids.

I am with you on that.

[Stephanie]

It's about time. Maybe next they will eliminate the ridiculous War on Liquids.

I echo that as well.

I had gone to Denver last August to see my father. I was pulled aside because they found one of my lighters in my pocketbook. I received a stern warning from the b...., uh, security lady and sent on my merry way. They didn't find the other one I had in my same pocketbook.

I was already having a nicotine craving, I was going to be sitting in an airplane for about 4 hours already. That REALLY helped my nerves and my feelings about air travel altogether.

[TexasStooge]

It's about time. Maybe next they will eliminate the ridiculous War on Liquids.

Well said.

[Dionne]

I don't understand!!!!?? With all these security measures in place.....did you know that once your outside U.S. airspace.....the door to the flight deck is frequently left open? American Airlines flights into the West Indies departing Miami does this all the time. I didn't think much of it on the way out. But on return the door was left open until we reached the 200 mile limit. All these safety measures on the ground and in flight you can look forward and see the pilots. Is it just me or does this seem foolish?

[prettywitty]

It's about time. Maybe next they will eliminate the ridiculous War on Liquids.

I had flown a couple of times since 9/11 and I guess I just didn't pay attention, but last time I flew somewhere (travelling with a just-broken, foot, mind you, and the airline personnel were downright mean about helping me) they confiscated close to $100 worth of stuff - shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, skin toner and perfume. They offered to let me check it, but I didn't have time, and what's the point of having a carry-on bag if you can't carry on the stuff you need? Might be a good job to have for a while when you get all that loot to sort through at the end of the day! Meanwhile, the woman in front of me had a 5-inch switchblade in her purse!

[gtalum]

I don't understand!!!!?? With all these security measures in place.....did you know that once your outside U.S. airspace.....the door to the flight deck is frequently left open? American Airlines flights into the West Indies departing Miami does this all the time.

have you actually seen this happen? This is a violation that could cause an airline to be fined and reprimanded by the FAA. Cockpit security is the only measure that's been taken after 9/11 that actually makes any sense. Any airline licensed by the FAA must keep the cockpit door closed from gate to gate on any flight departing from, arriving in, or trasiting the airspace of the United States.

[gtalum]

It's about time. Maybe next they will eliminate the ridiculous War on Liquids.

I had flown a couple of times since 9/11 and I guess I just didn't pay attention, but last time I flew somewhere (travelling with a just-broken, foot, mind you, and the airline personnel were downright mean about helping me) they confiscated close to $100 worth of stuff - shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, skin toner and perfume. They offered to let me check it, but I didn't have time, and what's the point of having a carry-on bag if you can't carry on the stuff you need? Might be a good job to have for a while when you get all that loot to sort through at the end of the day!

this liquids ban is the most ridiculous "security" measure ever taken. The liquids are confiscated because they might be dangerous, rtight? So how much sense does it make to have gallons of possibly dangerou smaterial piled up in a trash can right next to hundreds of people waiting in line in the security area? Like most of the other post-9/11 "security" measures, this one is done for show and accomplishes nothing. I wonder how long it will be before a terrorist figures out that they can exploit this stupidity to kill hundreds in one explosion?

[Ptarmigan]

this liquids ban is the most ridiculous "security" measure ever taken. The liquids are confiscated because they might be dangerous, rtight? So how much sense does it make to have gallons of possibly dangerou smaterial piled up in a trash can right next to hundreds of people waiting in line in the security area? Like most of the other post-9/11 "security" measures, this one is done for show and accomplishes nothing. I wonder how long it will be before a terrorist figures out that they can exploit this stupidity to kill hundreds in one explosion?

I don't think terrorists are going to target airports or airplanes again. That is overdone. They are going to strike in the most shocking and unexpected manner.

[JenBayles]

Instead of looking for possible weapons, we need to be looking for terrorists. Can you say, "Profling?"

[Ptarmigan]

Instead of looking for possible weapons, we need to be looking for terrorists. Can you say, "Profling?"

I am with you on that too.

[HollynLA]

When I flew a couple of weeks ago, I knew nothing about the lighter ban, since I hadn't flown in about 3 years. I had to throw out two lighters that I had in my purse. The lady in front of me had to throw out several bottles of shampoo and other toiletries.

[Extremeweatherguy]

yeah, the banning of liquids is crazy. They only allow you to carry "travel sizes" (under 3.4 oz) in one quart-size plastic bag (the same ones that can fit a single sandwhich) through the security checkpoint. That is ridiculous! The only thing this measure does well is to add even more wait time to the security lines.

They really need to develop a better system, IMO. A machine that could scan our entire body (and luggage) without having to take things off and put things in a bin would save us all A LOT of time and trouble.

[x-y-no]

It's about time. Maybe next they will eliminate the ridiculous War on Liquids.

Yeah. Talk about "security theater." The liquid explosives plot, as described, is pure nonsense. I don't doubt there was a plot, but if it really was to prepare the explosives on board - that's fantasyland.

[gtalum]

Instead of looking for possible weapons, we need to be looking for terrorists. Can you say, "Profling?"

Profiling doesn't work. Aside from the obvious constitutionality issue, if you profile one group they will just recruit someone who doesn't fit the profile.

[Dionne]

I don't understand!!!!?? With all these security measures in place.....did you know that once your outside U.S. airspace.....the door to the flight deck is frequently left open? American Airlines flights into the West Indies departing Miami does this all the time.

have you actually seen this happen? This is a violation that could cause an airline to be fined and reprimanded by the FAA. Cockpit security is the only measure that's been taken after 9/11 that actually makes any sense. Any airline licensed by the FAA must keep the cockpit door closed from gate to gate on any flight departing from, arriving in, or trasiting the airspace of the United States.

Yes. I was a passenger on two American Airlines flights in and out of the West Indies when this happened. It didn't concern me that much leaving out of Miami because the security is very tight. But returning from St Kitts, the security is marginal at best.....actually you cannot even call it security......they are more interested in collecting your exit fee.

[gtalum]

First of all, security at MIA isn't very tight. Don't confuse the TSA's dog and pony show as real effective security. They are good about inconveniencing everyone, but they have an atrocious record of missing almost every test article that's sent through the machines. Second, anytime you see this you see this you should report it to the FAA. It is a major violation, and like I said above it's one of the few post 9/11 regulations that actually make any sense.