Have any of you ever had a flashlight taken by TSA ? I have been hearing of this happening. So last night I spoke with a TSA lead at my airport(the only one I will speak to) & ask him if the TSA has a flashlight policy to which his answer was no. But if a flashlight could be considered a weapon(example Maglites) the passenger would be given the following choices: Return the flashlight to their car, have some one else take it for you, or see if your airline has a way to check it. If you can't or wont do one of these the light will be taken. I ask him if brightness had anything to do with this as I have heard of smaller Surefire lights being taken & his answer was no. Only the size & if it could be considered a weapon.
What I didn't tell him was every time I fly with my Mini-Mag that takes the place of Kubotan which is illegal to take thru security !
Comments please...........

A minimag takes place of Kuboton? How?

IF you have a large D cell maglight, it will not be allowed through as it is too big.

Any flashlight that has any weight to it you will be asked to check. And that is exactly the reason why, you could really hurt someone with it. The mini-mag is not a problem, because its just that, a mini.

Pilots of large turbojet aircraft must have at least a '2-D' cell flashlight (14 CFR 91.503)... I know several who carry the large maglights through security.

Again, we're talking about passengers. Every pilot carries a flashlight. We know that and don't take them (at least not here). If the pilot wants to kill everyone, they don't need a flashlight to do it. Flashlights are easy to find in the pilots bag, their usually right next to the bottle of Jim Beam. (kidding)

I always carry a mini mag light, never been a problem

Cita, pilots are allowed to carry flashlights as they wish.

There is one flashlight that is small that isnt allowed on the plane.
Picture of it is here.

I am familiar with this light & that is just another example of TSA stupidity.
Also some one ask about the mini-mag & kubotan, I will not discuss that on a public board. The air marshalls & leos or former leos(like my self) will know what I'm talking about.

Flashlights are not prohibited items. What is the justification for taking them?

The Surefire E2d Executive Defender really isn't allowed through security?

Just because of that jagged bezel. Is this a formal policy of TSA?

Okay thanks for clarifying that. So answer this for me: Why does a pilot receive the same treatment with regards to pointy/sharp things? There is a big crash axe in the cockpit after all.

And to further clarify this for me (WRT flash lights) -- is there any actual documented reg on what is an allowed vs not-allowed flashlight? I see one vote for no 'd' cells (unless you're a pilot). Sounds to me as if this is ultimately at screener and/or supervisor discretion, which I am not particularly fond of...thank you.

Blunt object weapon - but at this stage it would be up to the checkpoint supervisor or lead...

I can't recall ever taking a flashlight at our airport while I've been working, so if this did occur it would be an overzealous screener, for sure...

It's a freakin revovling door for us also brother, and I do know what your talking about.

I don't know what you're talking about. Anyone care to spread some enlightenment?