Serious question about flying & checked luggage

[zbdent]

Okay, first thing.

If you have a (non-Zippo) lighter (like a Bic), and you put it in your luggage to be checked as you head into the airport (you are not going to have it anywhere near you as you fly) - is that forbidden?

Also, I'm a relatively newly diagnosed diabetic. I have yet to fly since my diagnosis. I have a tool which pricks my finger and draws a drop of blood. I am planning on packing that in my luggage to be checked, not used in carry-on. Will this cause an issue? I know that I could pick one up at my destination, but I'm carrying all the other testing equipment with me as carry-on. It seems harmless enough, but these days, you never know.

Some helf from my fellow DUers?

(I also realize that, since I've had a few LTTEs published in the local paper, I'm probably on some list; low-threat, but on a list - for having had an independent thought).

[Wickerman]

1. I don't think you can carry a Bic lighter

http://www.mcall.com/business/local/all-zippomay18,0,3035477.story?coll=all-businesslocal-hed

Lighters with fuel are still banned.

PITTSBURGH | The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has changed a rule that banned unfilled lighters in checked luggage on U.S. airliners, according to new regulations posted on its Web site.

The decision was lauded by officials at Zippo Manufacturing Co., which this year said the ban could have cut into Zippo's sales by as much as 30 percent. The company, which has about 750 employees in the northwest Pennsylvania city of Bradford, Westmoreland County, sold about 14 million of its signature brass-and-chrome lighters last year.

Beginning April 14, the TSA banned all lighters from checked and carry-on luggage. The recently updated rule allows unfilled lighters in checked baggage and appears as a footnote in a five-page document detailing items that U.S. air travelers can and cannot carry.

''All lighters are prohibited as carry-on items. Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage, but lighters with fuel are prohibited,'' the footnote says.

[LaurenG]

9. They took my lighter out of my checked luggage

in January and left me a note that they had taken "something" didn't say what, I had to figure it out on my own.

[Oreo]

2. What happens if they lose your luggage?

I would think the blood tester would be ok. It's not like it's an open blade or anything.

Not sure about lighters... you can have empty ones onboard with you as of last week. Not sure about checked bags.

[elehhhhna]

3. Aren't empty Zippo's MORE explosive than full ones? (Fumes ignite)

[zbdent]

8. The Zippo company was concerned about "never-filled" lighters

like display cases full of their wares.

Understandable.

I'm expecting that checked luggage (stowed in bottom of plane) will be more lenient . . . if you can't access it in the flight, it's not a security risk. Weird, since the "shoe bomber" used a pack of matches . . .

[zbdent]

7. I'm not too concerned about losing the "poker" - it's a pen-like

device with a spring-loaded needle (about 1/2 to 1/4 inch long - even a person who freaks out about needles like me is used to it). Even looks like a pen.

That is inexpensive enough to replace.

However, the glucose monitor is what concerns me. That's the expensive part. I'd hate to have to replace that.

All this stuff can be found at a drugstore, if needed. But it's just the needle/pen that would be a "security risk", if at all.

[Oreo]

4. Just found a good link for you

http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100154

(FAA Statement free to use publicly)
Update: Flying With Diabetes Supplies

February 6, 2002 — If you're planning on flying with diabetes supplies in the coming months, don't leave home unprepared. The following statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can help you to know what to expect with regards to the heightened security measures in place at our nation's airports.

JDRF has received very few reports of difficulties encountered by passengers with diabetes; nonetheless we feel it is important to provide you with the most recent and accurate information to help make your travel experiences go as smoothly as possible.

FAA Statement (as of February 5, 2002):

Please be assured that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), while working aggressively to ensure enhanced security, is taking into consideration the medical needs of passengers.

According to the new security measures, persons with diabetes who need to fly with their supplies and equipment within the 50 United States may board with syringes or insulin delivery systems only if they can produce a vial of insulin with a professional, pharmaceutical preprinted label, which clearly identifies the medication. No exceptions will be made. Since the prescription label is on the outside of the box containing the vial of insulin, the FAA recommends that passengers refrain from discarding their insulin box and come prepared with their vial of insulin in its original pharmaceutically labeled box.

For passengers who have diabetes and must test their blood glucose levels, but who do not require insulin, boarding with their lancets is acceptable as long as the lancets are capped, and as long as the lancets are brought on with the glucose meter that has the manufacturer's name embossed on the meter (i.e., One Touch meters say "One Touch," Accu-Check meters say "Accu-Check").

Glucagon is dispensed and normally kept in a preprinted labeled plastic container or box. We advise those people with diabetes who are traveling to keep their glucagon kit intact in its original preprinted pharmaceutically labeled containers.

Contrary to what previously has been reported, because of forgery concerns, prescription and letters of medical necessity will not be accepted.

The above measures are minimum requirements only and individual air carriers may have other requirements that might impact a passenger's ability to board with diabetes equipment and supplies. Accordingly, the FAA strongly urges passengers to alert their air carrier at least one day in advance of their scheduled domestic or international flight and confirm if there are any additional requirements.

Should a passenger be denied boarding or be faced with any other unforeseen diabetes related difficulty because of security measures, they should ask to speak to the security screener's supervisor or contact the air carrier ground security coordinator at the departing airport. You can also call FAA's Air Carrier Operations Division @ 202-267-3966.
In addition, the ADA recommended on January 23, 2002: "If the problem is not resolved to the passenger's satisfaction or if a passenger feels he or she has been discriminated against or treated unfairly by air carriers, a complaint may be filed with the airline carrier and by contacting the Aviation Consumer Protection Bureau (ACPD) at [e-mail] or by mailing to ACPD, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room 4107, C-75, Washington, DC 20590."

[zbdent]

10. Thankfully, I am not a medicine dependent diabetic

controlled through diet & exercise.

(I've lost 30 lbs since January).

Caught in the early stages. I do have to monitor my sugar levels though. And I don't want to go off without the monitor.

[lutherj]

5. Most airline web sites list what is restricted and what is allowed.

I checked US Airways, and they list diabetes-related supplies and equipment as permitted in check-on luggage.

[TomInTib]

6. I fly

pretty much weekly and have had no problem regarding lighters in checked baggage.
I know lighters are considered contraband but TSA doesn't seem to worry about checked baggage unless there is something worth stealing in it.
You might check with FAA about your diagnostic tool. Shouldn't be a problem.

[ellenfl]

11. last month i packed a lighter in my checked

baggage and it came through. i didn't know it was not allowed until i saw the sign while going thru security (after checking luggage).

too bad (for me) about this ruling . . . i'm a real clutz with matches!

ellen fl

[Gormy Cuss]

12. The TSA web site is the best source

Print out the allowed/forbidden list. It also lists which items can be in checked baggages but not carry-on. When in doubt, don't pack it.
If you must take something that may be iffy, pack it in your checked bag.
With a little preparation you should be fine. Just take the time to remove metal, take off your coat, and follow the printed directions and the requests of the staff. Unless you are wearing shoes with metal shanks or thick soles, you are not required to remove them. On a practical basis however the little TSA Napoleons in some airports get pleasure out of watching everyone walk around barefoot so taking them off is easier than asserting your rights.

[elehhhhna]

13. Mt Uncle refuses to take his shoes off @ airport.( It's not law, you know)

So they go through all his luggage, pat him down, etc. He's retired FEMA and will not take it. Says' "Get me a chair" when he gets to the xray machine.

He & my aunt check in very early due to this. She sails through and shops the airport 'til he gets to the gate.