Ugggh. Flashlight woes.
 

I was screened at main security at JFK T8 today for my connection after coming in from T7 on a BA flight.

At the checkpoint, my backpack was pulled with the standard "Bag check" from the screener and "Is this yours? Can I look in it?" from a TSA employee (who looked like he should be working at a car wash).

TSO proceeds to disassemble my bag in search of something, then gets this glimmer of "AHA" when he pulls out my travel flashlight.

TSO turns to me "What is this? Is this a tactical flashlight?'

I cringe a bit at that "tactical" word. Now, this flashlight is a Surefire G3. Although it is a very bright flashlight, it is made of plastic. It has no sharp edges. If you hit something with it, you'd break the flashlight. It is not one of these fancy metal gizmo flashlights with a machined aluminum casing and a strike bezel. This thing is bright, and well made, but innocuous as can be.

Me: "It's a flashlight. I don't know what a tactical flashlight is."

TSO: "Why do you have this? Is it for self defense?"

Me (using sarcastic mocking tone): "No, it's for darkness."

TSO studies the flashlight, fingers it, turns it on. Fingers the front lens, and even though he's wearing blue gloves, they are kind of filthy and I shudder a bit. Turns if off, turns it on, shines it on me. Swings it in his hand to feel its heft. I suffer about 45 full seconds of this TSO playing click and feel with my flashlight.

I'm cranky from my flight, and am getting exasperated with this whole exercise, but I'm dreading how it's going to go. I fear I'm going to be asked to check my flashlight. I've already checked my one bag, and can't risk having my knapsack checked. It has my laptop, medications and CPAP machine, none of which I can afford to lose.

It dawns on me that the TSO has probably calculated I won't check my backpack, and is contemplating telling me I can't take this light on board in the hopes I will toss it and he can appropriate it. (It's about $40 for this light.) His digital manipulation of the light strikes me as the kind of examination you would do when checking out the flashlight in a store before buying it.

So, choking back my smart alec response (about the similarity of this flashlight to a vibrator), I simply give the TSO my most disdainful stare, right in his eyes.

After what seems like an eternity but was probably only 10 more seconds, he shrugs his shoulders, puts it back in the bag and zips it up. He delays me 30 more seconds for an ETD on the bag, then gives it back.

I mustered up my best "harrumph" and walked off with bag in hand. These TSA searches are for the birds.

So if anyone can give me something smarter to do or say next time this happens, I'd like to hear.


PS, here is what the light looks like:

http://i42.tinypic.com/n6eyoi.jpg

I'm familiar with the Surefire G3. This TSO is an idiot. Figures it's JFK, You handled it better than I would've.

You could tell him, "Some bulbs are bright and some bulbs are dim." :D

Odd. I have been traveling a couple hundred thousand miles a year for the last nearly 10 years and usually with a flashlight or two. Often Surefires. Never had anything more than a "what is this" - "Flashlight" - "oh okay". And that maybe twice, most of the time, no mention at all. I currently have both a Semi custom Fenix with a Leef body and a Streamlight in my bag and not issues. Been to Japan, Taipei and a few other places in the last couple months with no issues anywhere, including JFK.

Gadgetfreak this TSO was either an idiot like I said earlier or he really did want the light like the op thought might be possible.

Yea, it just seems like a really rare incident. I actually think everyone should carry a flashlight, I would hate for people not to because of a really rare incident.

Are you on CPF by any chance ? I never go anywhere with out a light or 3 day or night.

I used to participate heavily there but havent in the last few years. I have some nice lights like EDC, Novatac, Surefire and the like. I also like playing "Surefire Lego" and have some with custom, over-powered incandescent bulbs as well as some with LEDs. I always have a AAA Arc on my keychain and a couple lights in my briefcase. Had the great misfortune to leave a Surefire A2 Aviator in the seat back pouch of a commuter plane while flying SAN-LAX some years ago. Still makes me sad. ;)

I carry a Coast P7 (newest model at link). Never a problem. The 9V batteries for my electronics, that is a different story.

Well, if this nonsense ever becomes a widespread problem, I'm going to have to start packing my good flashlights in my checked bags.

I don't carry a "tactical" flashlight (i.e. one designed for use as a self-defence weapon), but my hi-power flashlights have heavy aircraft aluminum bodies, and I suppose if one wrapped one's fist around one of these lights, it would be akin to punching someone with a roll of pennies in your hand.

I don't own any Surefires; mine are somewhat more pedestrian. They're Coleman Max LEDs from WalMart. I have two that use 2xAA batteries and two that use 2xCR2 batteries. They both use hi-power Cree LEDs similar to those used by Surefire and a few other companies, and they each cost me around $25-$30.

I did some searches and the best pic I could find was one posted by someone on CPF (click the pic to go to the original CPF thread, which discusses these lights in detail):

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UIvftVa71aQ/SZ...0/IMG_6419.JPG

The one on the far right is the 2xAA, the one in the middle is the 2xCR2; both, unfortunately, are no longer available for purchase. The one to the left is a 3xAAA model that I don't own, but I believe is currently available at WalMart.

As you can see, these lights are fairly innocent looking. But they have an impressively solid feel in the hand, one which could spark a gleam of avarice in the eyes of some less-than-ethical TSO. Thus far, I have been fortunate enough to not have a bag check done while carrying this gear, but I suppose it's only a matter of time, even with the infrequency with which I fly. I'll be darned if I'm going to "voluntarily surrender" a $30 flashlight without an argument, though!

Flashlights are required on commercial flights I believe. They are usually on a wall mount in the galley area. I just don't think people are at all likely to have a problem. There is a thread in the technology (or possibly travel products - it predates the splitting of those forums) on travel lights. I don't recall anyone mentioning problems and lots of people were carrying lights. I have had Surefires be noticed by TSA and security in other countries but never an issue past identifying it as a flashlight.

It's reassuring to know that this seems to be an isolated incident, GF, but you never know what new policies TSA might come up with for little or no reason, or what nonsensical drivel individual TSOs might spout if they see a light they want. Technically, they are forbidden from removing items from the "surrendered items" bins, but we all suspect that it happens anyway.

Right but it is important to note that the OP was allowed to board with their flashlight. I have been asked a couple times what an object was, I think both times Surefires, and metal not plastic ones, and as soon as I said it was a flashlight it was allowed on without problem. As I said above I think having a light or two is a safety issue. I have been in hotels that lost power and such and a light is potentially important. I would really hate to see people not carry them out of what is, in my pretty extensive experience, a non-issue with screening while carrying lights.

I file online complaints using the "TSA Contact Us: Complaints" online form (link) over incidents like this.

I get the screener's last name off of his or her id badge and include that in the complaint, which will read something like this:

I hope this is just a disturbingly incompetent TSO. I travel with a Surefire metal flashlight with a clearly scalloped forward edge. In 2 years, I have never been questioned about it, but if I am, my response will be one of two things:

1) Where on the TSA's list of prohibited items is "flashlight" listed?
2) The scalloped leading edge is actually a means of standing the flashlight up to only show a little light through the gaps.

If they're dumb enough to ask, I hope they're dumb enough to believe the second one.

A friend who is an airline Captain told me of a TSO that was not gonna allow the mag-lite in the flight-bag (mandated by FAA as necessary equipment for the flight).

I carry either my Surfire Aviator (red/white) or E2E Executive Elite on EVERY commercial flight. In addition, my Benchmade ink pen accompanies me as well. I simply put them in the outer pocket of my computer bag for the flouroscope scan -- then transfer then to my pockets when I sit down to put my shoes back on.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/1100

I've yet to encounter a TSA screener who has been smart enough to question the self defense capabilities of the dreaded ink pen. It is, after all - just an ink pen...

I haven't been so bold as to try to take a "Honey Comb" made by Cold Steel on a flight - because even I can see it's intended use as a self defense weapon...

http://www.coldsteel.com/honeycomb.html

However, I have my doubts if the average TSA screener would even look close enough to determine the alternate usage of this item's design.

Careful. It made sense to me. My Coast P14 (checked so as not to lose a $100 flashlight) has a low setting just for that reason.

I carry the E2D. I can see how the Honey Comb might be a problem, but I bet less than half of the TSOs would even spot it.

isnt that just ridiculous :rolleyes:

The pilot looked the TSO steadily in the eye while calling to report a flight delay. The flight left on time... in full compliance with all FAA regs.:-::-::-:

Curious - what CPAP machine do you travel with and do you also travel with a humidifier (assuming your CPAP doesn't have a permanently attached one)?

And the TSO didn't give a crap about the CPAP? I've only had mine a few months and have never removed it from its own separate bag as required, and haven't been stopped yet. But I figure if I do, the CPAP will be the reason. Not my cheap, tiny drugstore-purchased aluminum flashlight buried in my carry-on.

I have a Resmed S8 Escape II. It has a detachable humidifier.

I never travel with the humidifier. It is too much extra work to fill/empty, and too much current for many plane electrical systems.

I have not had the CPAP manhandled in a while (knock on wood).

What does it mean that is has a scalloped leading edge? I understand the concept, but I'm not sure what else it could be construed as being used for, besides what you describe in #2.

I always travel with 2 flashlights. One is an iPhone app.

Why?

Dim hotel rooms and my age!

The TSO wanted that 'cool' flashlight. Betcha!

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Surefire makes the "Defender" series, indicated by a "D" in the product name such as E2D or something similar. If you know what you are doing it is useful as a weapon apparently due to the hardness of the metal Surefire uses in their lights.

^^^

Always carry an ultra LED hi-power LED flashlight - single AA powered, but I purposely changed the tactical lens head with scalloped leading edge to a plain round one - it stays on my belted nylon pouch all the time, except when going thru security checkpoint (it's with the rest of electronics in the small pouch.) It's easier, lighter, brighter vs. the AA Mag-Lite & much better than the AAA Mag-Lite.

I have a 2nd. identical set using 2x AA (interchangeable spare/parts) that I keep in the carry-on/checked luggage depending on destination. It got pulled once going thru HKG in transit to PVG by security, they pulled it out (kept inside a backpack) & looked at it for 5 seconds, power on to see that it worked & put it back in without a fuzz. I wasn't sure if they were looking at the scalloped edge or just checking it out as a working flashlight & not something else .... But, now that I think about it, the fellow had sharp eyes to spot it & didn't "inspect" the small set of screwdriver tools.

Like others said, depending on how one hold it and use it, round or scalloped edge pointed away from the palm - one can surely used it a defensive tool.. Likewise, I sure can use my Dunhilll pen (or chopsticks ....) and do some serious harm with it, minimal or no training necessary.

If a TSO decides that they want something of yours that's not a prohibited item, what are you supposed to do? Demand a supervisor? And if the supervisor is on on the game, is there no recourse from TSOs who are organizing this type of thing?

I've heard of two interesting ways to handle it if you absolutely must make the flight, the TSO and supervisor are not going to let you through without the item, and you don't mind losing the item:

1- Physically destroy the item right there to prevent the TSO from having any productive use.

2- "Since you won't allow it on board, I'm going to go back to long-term parking and put it in my car". Do so, or if you don't have a car in parking, physically destroy the item and throw it in a trash can out of view of the TSOs.

The Christmas shopping season is upon us. If TSOs start declaring cameras, iPads, iPods, and laptop computers "prohibited" and start stealing these things from pax, it would hopefully become a very big news item and another strike against the TSA.

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It would hopefully, and almost certainly, not happen.

True, but from what I have read in articles about using a flashlight as a defensive weapon, it's the bright light that is the most effective weapon. It disorients and surprises them, especially if you have a strobe function. The scalloped edge is useful in attacking once you have your oppressor on the defensive.

I have the S9 Elite. I've not traveled abroad with it yet. Domestically I've taken the humidifier unit but for space saving I'll most certainly dispense with it when heading to Europe and Hong Kong in the coming months.

Of course I need to get a proper hose for it. Frustrating DME won't give me a second hose since I have the special "ClimateLine" hose for the humidifier - which won't attach to just the S9 itself. Anyway, I keep forgetting to order it so this has reminded me to get on that right now!

One nice thing I've found using CPAP on overnight flights -- it allows you to cover your whole head with a blanket and still breathe freely since the air is being pumped to you via hose.

"Yes, just in case I'm attacked by the Boogey Man."

Mike

Lets see. The OP brought a flashlight. The TSO didn't know what it was at first. Then the OP got on the plane.

Did I miss something?

Yes, you missed 60-90 seconds of the TSO manhandling my light.

You missed the TSO fishing for a response that would allow the confiscation surrender of the light.

You got a patdown also?!

Mike

A Surefire light can surely withstand that..........

He was probably trying to think up a good reason why he could get you to 'surrender' it and he could pocket it.