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Despite new airport security measures, Bic lighter makes it through four security check points

Friday December 22, 2006 | 12:55:05 am 344 words, 3336 views  

Last week I flew back to America after being stationed in Europe six months (tear). It was a lovely time, which was soon forgotten once I found myself hauling four overstuffed bags through what seemed like countless airports, each bigger than the next.

One of the side effects from having this much luggage is you kind of just stuff things where it fits and towards the end you really have no idea where anything is.

I flew from Prague to Amsterdam to Chicago and finally ending up in Washington D.C. a couple days later. As I sorted through my assortment of junk I realized there was a lighter in my carry-on backpack all along.

This bugged me, not so much because security in three different countries in four different airports, including a flight to our nation’s capital failed to pick up what is supposed to be a monumental safety threat to our country, but because I didn’t have my big bottle of Opti-free contact solution in the same pack for fear it would be confiscated. I checked it instead. My eyes dry up pretty fast and I usually experience discomfort on flights. Due to my cheap bastardness however, I only buy the stuff in economy size and thus it’s too much fluid for today’s carry-on standards.

All the while, my lighter made it through unscathed repeatedly.

Last week, a plane was diverted after a woman lit a match to try and conceal the stink of her repeated flatulence.

Yet fluids aren’t allowed…Sometimes I wonder if the “fluid rule” is an attempt to increase airport gift shop spending, but that’s a conspiracy theory I generally ponder only after reading too much WKW.

Maybe next time I’ll take it up a notch and try and sneak a pound of hash through security (for journalistic purposes) especially if I have another six hour layover in Amsterdam. I should warm however Chicago Midway is filled with drug (or bomb) sniffing dogs. Each has the happiest little smile on their face too, it’s remarkable.

Safe travels everyone!

Permalink 2 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Brandon,

What is the reason you even own a Bic lighter, much less carry it in a backpack?

And the fact that you would take one of those cumbersome backpacks carry-on containing a proscribed item on a transatlantic flight brands you as one of two things. Either an aging hippie wearing Burkenstocks, a ponytail, and a straggly beard, or more likely, a twenty-something would-be anarchist who enjoys challenging the TSA and all law enforcement personnel in general.
PermalinkPermalink 12/22/06 @ 09:15
Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Visitor]
Exactly, BTuck. You probably want to be explaining that Bic lighter quick. I know you don’t want your parents grounding you again because they think you’re smoking.
PermalinkPermalink 12/23/06 @ 01:16

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Brandon Tucker Brandon Tucker

a WorldGolf.com Blog

WorldGolf.com blogger Brandon Tucker offers his unique perspective on golf and travel destinations from Scotland and Ireland to Myrtle Beach. He also chimes in on news events on the PGA and LPGA Tours, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and other happenings around the world of golf.