Domestic US flights with new torch lighters

[Rhinoww]

So I have an annual March trip w my buddies to vegas to watch basketball. Lighting cigars has always been a hassle outside w the wind there. 
 

reading the TSA rules it appears that DOT has no authority to confiscate new unused torch lighters in checked luggage. 
 

I was wondering if anyone has done this successfully. 
 

I purchased a lot of torch lighters on eBay. My plan is to leave them in the sealed postage container with a note that they are new and have not had nor any traces of gas along w a printed copy of the TSA Q&A indicating it is permissible. It’s worth the $15 risk to me to have some decent lighters that I will leave there. 
 

wondering if anyone has done the same w success?

next challenge will be to find butane near the strip but that seems doable  

 

[steelcity]

The last couple trips I've managed to get a cheapo single flame Drew Estate torch through. I put the cigars with a cutter in a plastic travel case on one side and the lighter gets put on opposite side of bag in toiletry bag. I've been putting matches in there just in case but so far so good

[Corylax18]

I always through mine in with my toiletries. All the extra metal and goop seems to breakup the outline enough. I've never had one swiped when I packed it like this. 

Don't worry about butane. Weed, and its concentrated forms, are legal for recreational consumption in Vegas now. There are several "head shops" along the strip that will have, literally, hundreds or thousands of bottles of butane. Enjoy Vegas, one of my favorite places. I'm currently debating an April trip for the NFL draft. Ive already got a September trip booked for the Raiders first game!

[Rhinoww]

You better start talking to a casino host for a ticket. A buddy of mine put a deposit down for seats. He wanted good seats. When prices came out they wanted $20G for a club seat - but you got a tix to every event in the stadium. He wanted four seats $80G was a bit much for the three or four games he was likely to make. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

Grab a Soto if you're in the US from Amazon or an outdoor store, or an Iroda if you're in Canada. You check the cartridge piece and then carry on the soft flame and get your buddy to also carry on a soft flame.

You'll have more than enough fuel for 2 people, smoking all day long, for at least 10 days.

[The Squiggler]

A lot of brand new torches come with a bit of butane in them leftover from testing, so you might want to double check and purge.  I'm not sure if the fuel is the main issue, but if so even a new lighter isn't always 100% clean.  You can buy butane at Walgreens or other pharmacy chains.

[BrightonCorgi]

Put in your check in luggage then.

I use to have difficulty lighting cigars when I worked in Oklahoma City due to wind.  I ended up just lighting them inside next to the door then walk out.  They can call the police if they feel the need to...  No one cared and now I do this where ever it's too windy for a regular lighter.

[The Squiggler]

14 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Put in your check in luggage then.

Yep.  I think the implication is that even in checked luggage, only 100% empty (fuel-free) torch lighters are safe.  I don't think they need to be brand new, but they do need to be purged completely.  No extra fuel is allowed in checked luggage or carry-ons, and no torch lighters (or gun/weapon-shaped or other menacing looking lighters) allowed in carry-ons, period.  The only safe bet I'm seeing based on the TSA rules is what @Rhinoww originally proposed--make sure the torches are 100% empty and check them (possibly also leave a note explaining that they are empty). 

[Chibearsv]

16 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

I always through mine in with my toiletries. All the extra metal and goop seems to breakup the outline enough. I've never had one swiped when I packed it like this. 

Don't worry about butane. Weed, and its concentrated forms, are legal for recreational consumption in Vegas now. There are several "head shops" along the strip that will have, literally, hundreds or thousands of bottles of butane. Enjoy Vegas, one of my favorite places. I'm currently debating an April trip for the NFL draft. Ive already got a September trip booked for the Raiders first game!

Agree here.  I tape the cover down on the lighter and put it in a ziplock with the toothpaste and deodorant.  Never had a problem.  I keep the cigars and cutter in my carry-on figuring I don't want to give TSA a reason to check for a lighter.  If they do take it, I'd just find a local cigar shop and buy another cheap one.

I'm tempted to buy the FOH lighter that's available in the INT store.  Has anyone had any experience with that one.  It looks like a good idea if it works well.

[Rhinoww]

FWIW here is a link to the TSA FAQ I was referencing 

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/resources/media/Airline_Passengers_Lighters_Faq.pdf

it “seems” that new unused perhaps in mailing container from vendor torch lighter are acceptable.  
 

[TheGipper]

Pfft, published FAQs and PDFs go out the window if you end up arguing with a TSA agent.  I do not bring anything I cannot afford to lose.  So I bring my favorite cheapo Eagle torches I can get on Amazon for less than $2 each.  TSA can confiscate them if they want.

That said, I always put them in checked baggage.  I never bother emptying them.  I've never lost one yet.

[SmokyFontaine]

I just completed a cross country and an international trip. Both had a plugged full torch lighter inside of the back pocket of pants that were rolled up and placed in the middle of the suitcase. No problem on any of the flights, including one through customs. Having said that...I bring my lighter that's the crappiest, so if they take it I'm not losing anything of value. 

[GavLew79]

#Cigar Traveller!?

[irratebass]

I bought two of these, just to be safe.....when I went to Vegas last July....had no issues with my torches. I put them in my checked bag.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X7RVMK0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Edward7]

I took my cheap torch to Maui for Thanksgiving and put it in my golf bag which was checked. It was confiscated since it was full of fluid. I didn't know that filled butane torches weren't allowed. Really glad it was not like a Dupont or something.

I'll never bother anymore to take lighters anywhere. Not worth the hassle at all and I can use a soft flame lighter or matches if I need to.

[GP]

Agree here.  I tape the cover down on the lighter and put it in a ziplock with the toothpaste and deodorant.  Never had a problem.  I keep the cigars and cutter in my carry-on figuring I don't want to give TSA a reason to check for a lighter.  If they do take it, I'd just find a local cigar shop and buy another cheap one.
I'm tempted to buy the FOH lighter that's available in the INT store.  Has anyone had any experience with that one.  It looks like a good idea if it works well.

Works great and is ideal for air travel. Only had mine a few months but can’t flaw it


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[RDB]

I don’t travel in the US at the moment, but I fly quite a bit and carry a single flame torch in my hand luggage all the time. It’s an odd shape for a lighter, and hardly any metal, so it just goes through security everywhere...

[Monocle]

7 hours ago, GP said:

Works great and is ideal for air travel. Only had mine a few months but can’t flaw it

+1. I’ve flown domestically with it in my carry on a handful of time and had no problems. 

[The Squiggler]

21 minutes ago, Monocle said:

+1. I’ve flown domestically with it in my carry on a handful of time and had no problems. 

 and after you deconstruct it, it basically becomes a disposable lighter (allowed on planes) and a paperweight (hence the "travel torch" moniker)

[Monocle]

2 minutes ago, The Squiggler said:

 and after you deconstruct it, it basically becomes a disposable lighter (allowed on planes) and a paperweight (hence the "travel torch" moniker)

Your mouth to TSA’s ears ?