Finally, they came for my Leatherman, and there was no one left to speak out for me:
The Transportation Security Administration recently announced that a ban on all types of cigarette lighters is effective immediately, but that enforcement will not begin until April 14.
Although a ban on butane lighters had been included in legislation to improve airline security after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, airline passengers had been permitted to carry two butane lighters.
"For reasons of consistency, the TSA is banning all lighters — butane lighters, electric torch lighters, fuel-soaking lighters," said Andrea McCauley, a Fort Worth-based spokeswoman for the federal agency. "When the ban goes into place, you can carry up to four books of matches."
As incredulous as I get at some of the moves made in the name of making the world "safe from terrah," I'm surprised this didn't go into effect sooner. Honestly, carrying matches instead of a lighter isn't that much more of an inconvenience. Stick your Zippo in your checked bag and move along.
There are always those who disagree, of course:
Continental Airlines pilot Don McPhee used a butane lighter to light a cigarette for his wife, Cynthia, as he learned about the upcoming ban.
McPhee, who described himself as "a social smoker," said, "In the 21 years I've been flying, I've never heard of anybody trying to hurt anyone with a cigarette lighter on an airplane."
Only because Richard Reid tried using matches. If he'd had one of those nifty all-weather jobs you used to be able to get with your Marlboro miles, I bet there'd be a certain pilot singing a different tune right about now.
As for difficulty smoking, you guys might as well quit now. Even here in Houston, where driving east on 225 with the top down is probably the equivalent of smoking half a pack of Pall Malls, they're pushing through a ban in restaurants, and Austin and Dallas have already gone smoke-free.
Frequent flier Doug Zanders, of Huntsville, returning from his 41st trip this year as "a troubleshooter" for a steel company, was smoking a cigarette while waiting for his ride home.
"This country is growing more communist every day — telling you where you can smoke, where you can't smoke. That's communism," he said.
Zanders went on, "And the 55 MPH speed limit? That's the Nash equilibrium. DWI laws? Malthusian theory. When will the government get off our backs and present economic theory in a way the American people can understand?"
Although passengers will be allowed to carry up to four books of matches, the TSA is reviewing a possible ban on matches, McCauley said.
"We're looking at matches, but no definitive position has been reached," she said. "We don't want it to be a ban against smokers."
Matt Laidler, of Houston, had a no-fire answer to the problem.
Walking to a friend's waiting car, Laidler said, "I guess I'll just have to start chewing tobacco."
There's that pioneer spirit. And, as far as I know, dipping isn't outlawed on most public transportation.
>Honestly, carrying matches instead of a lighter isn't that much more of an inconvenience. Stick your Zippo in your checked bag and move along.
Sorry, Charlie! Lighters have been banned from checked luggage for some time.
Good lord. "That's communism?"
What the hell do they teach in social studies down there?
As long as we're banning stuff on planes...
All I can say is that if matches get banned, the use of in-flight personal cell phones better STAY banned.
In fact, I think I'd actually prefer rolling the dice on the statisitically insignificant scenario of being on the next plane someone attempts a "Richard Reid," rather than be suffocated by near-certain colletive chatter generated by the personal cell phone conversaionts of EVERY passenger, on EVERY flight I go on.
It is not illegal to carry batteries on board a plane.
And it is not illegal to carry steel wool aboard a plane.
Barf bags, when shredded, make excellent tinder.
I'm sorry, but I don't see the problem.
Hmm. Holding a match aloft during a Journey concert is predicated on "flying somewhere" to go to a Journey concert. How realistic is that scenario?
Sorry, Charlie! Lighters have been banned from checked luggage for some time.
D'oh!
Hmm. Holding a match aloft during a Journey concert is predicated on "flying somewhere" to go to a Journey concert.
Maybe for you Northeasterners, but I'm willing to be they'll be playing the Six Flags Astroworld Southern Star Ampitheater before too long.
Ick. Chaw.
I'm all for banning smoking in public places, as much as it ticks me off and inconveniences me. But they'd best start employing federally-regulated cigarette-lighting people if they're going to take away every means of lighting the thing.