Originally Posted by TWA4Ever
If you would have taken the time to read my original post, you may have noticed that my empty Zippo was removed from my checked luggage - well after the luggage had scurried its way down the little conevryor belt and into the murky waters of TSA land...Usually, I just carried it in my pants pocket!
You missed the point. Currently, you are allowed to carry up to two lighters (Bic-type and Zippo) and four books of safety matches with you as carry-on items. You were never allowed to have these items in your checked baggage. If you had the Zippo in your checked baggage and it was never detected until recently, then you were beating the odds before finally getting caught. If you are telling me that you had no earthly idea that lighters and matches were not permitted in your checked luggage all this time (this regulation has remained unchanged and was in effect prior to 9/11), then I truly don't know what to say.
However, giving you the benefit of the doubt, I think you do have a valid complaint since neither TSA nor the airline advised you. You get no empathy from me for assuming that a screener stole your lighter. If you want to throw a tantrum over it, then do so and be done with it. I would think that after surviving combat you would have a better perspective. You're the one who brought up the sentimentality not I.
TSA will not be able to replace the lighter. I do urge you to submit a complaint so that those screeners follow correct procedure by advising passengers when accepting their checked luggage. Not calling you a liar, but these signs are pretty standard across the country. Is it possible that you didn't notice them?
Thank you for your service to the nation and welcome home.
RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!