Travelling with Pipe/Tobacco at the airport

[victory01]

Just wondering if anyone has had any problems getting on a plane with pipes and pipe tobacco? I'm going out of town next month and would like to bring some along. Would you recommend I take it through carry-on or check it into baggage? Thanks.

-Vic

[EvanS]

I've travelled both ways and had no issues at all, but I do generally pack my pipes in checked baggage for convenience.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by victory01

Just wondering if anyone has had any problems getting on a plane with pipes and pipe tobacco? I'm going out of town next month and would like to bring some along. Would you recommend I take it through carry-on or check it into baggage? Thanks.

-Vic

The "pipe tool" may raise eyebrows, but check it all to be safe. Not sure what the current policy is about lighters, but you may want to just pick up a lil' BIC when you get there instead of having to carry a lighter along.

[Blaylock]

I've brought pipes and tobacco (bulk and tinned) on planes many times and never had a problem. Always as a carry-on for me. I don't want my pipes or my cigars "out of eyesight".

[sgresso]

When I few they had the lighter restriction so I just got one when I landed.
I kept my pipes and baccy along with my cigars on my carry on stuff.
I would hate to have a good pipe get a cracked bit or shank because of some clumsy baggage handler or it go to the wrong location (it happened before)
Thats my .02

[IHT]

i travel all the time, don't have problems with my pipes/tobacco. i will NOT fly with a lighter, no matter what the restrictions are. why? half those morons don't know what one airport is allowing, much more their own or the latest TSA reg's - don't want to lose a very expensive and meaningful gift (my old boy) to a nincompoop. so, i ship them in my equipment so i get 'em the day after i land. i use matches the first night, which you can ship in checked luggage no problem.

[SAjunidog]

I've raised a few eyebrows at times, but no real problems. One issue I had was moving out to college again, I had a carryon full of baccy that they had to really probe, since I guess all the metal, plants, and glass (mason jars) interfere with the xray, or at least thats what they said. As for the tool, I check it if I can, but I'll carry it on if I'm not checking anything, since they should be fine with it, and I've just got a shitty $2 Czech one. Definitely don't carry a lighter, for the reason IHT laid out (either buy a bic or find a restraunt with matches when you land).

When I do check pipes I separate the stems and bowls, keep the stems in an old tin to protect them, and then just put each bowl in its own sock. Stuff intermittently between clothes, and they shouldn't ever get dinged. Getting lost is a whole nother ball game though, and thats why I always carry mine on now, since I couldn't deal with one idiot baggage handler wiping out my collection (although thats all sentimental, and not tangible, value).

[victory01]

Great info guys! Thanks. I was mainly concerned about getting tobacco on the plane, but you guys brought a lot of great points to my attention.

I'm probably going to pack my tobacco in my bag and bring my other pipe things on the plane with me. Definitely not bringing a lighter I'm attached to.

Thanks again for all your input!

[Stick]

Originally Posted by IHT

i use matches the first night, which you can ship in checked luggage no problem.

Flying just came up in this thread, the regulations are quoted below. Checking matches is not allowed, something which I did not know (and just did last time I flew,) but you can carry them on. Also you can carry on a bic, so it looks like that'll be what I do in the future.

Originally Posted by Stick

In case anyone was interested here are the regulations from the TSA website:

"Common Lighters - Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation (DOT) exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case. If you are uncertain as to whether your lighter is prohibited, please leave it at home.

Torch Lighters - Torch lighters create a thin, needle-like flame that is hotter (reaching 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit) and more intense than those from common lighters. Torch lighters are often used for pipes and cigars, and maintain a consistent stream of air-propelled fire regardless of the angle at which it is held. Torch lighters continue to be banned.

Strike-anywhere Matches - One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage."

Also: "As of August 4, 2007, in an effort to concentrate resources on detecting explosive threats, TSA will no longer ban common lighters in carry-on luggage. Torch lighters remain banned in carry-ons."

[MikeC]

Originally Posted by Stick

Flying just came up in this thread, the regulations are quoted below. Checking matches is not allowed, something which I did not know (and just did last time I flew,) but you can carry them on. Also you can carry on a bic, so it looks like that'll be what I do in the future.

I've had no trouble carrying a non-torch flip top lighter on all flights in the US. I usally put it in the xray tray with my laptop, half the time they check to make sure its not a torch - the other half they don't look. International flights are a different story.

[Stick]

Originally Posted by MikeC

I've had no trouble carrying a non-torch flip top lighter on all flights in the US. I usally put it in the xray tray with my laptop, half the time they check to make sure its not a torch - the other half they don't look. International flights are a different story.

You're right, it's not just bics that are allowed. The site say that "common lighters" are permitted while torch lighters are banned. It gives a definition of torch lighters, but not of common lighters. From the TSA website:

"Torch lighters create a thin, needle-like flame that is hotter (reaching 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit) and more intense than those from common lighters. Torch lighters are often used for pipes and cigars, and maintain a consistent stream of air-propelled fire regardless of the angle at which it is held."

I will err on the side of caution and not bring any lighter I don't mind losing, but that's just me.

[IHT]

that just proves how asinine the TSA guidelines are. why on earth would matches not be allowed in CHECKED luggage? you don't have access to it, so why not allow it? if you bring 'em on, you could be attempting to light a flip-flop on fire or something.

[nothingclever]

Well, about all I do these days for work is travel. However, they are nice and I got to stay in town this week. Probably more because who wants to hear a seminar about 1099's over Thanksgiving. Most people are gone and wouldnt show up.

That being said, I travel a lot and have been known to pick up a pipe. I have never left MI with a pipe but I do bring em back. Never had a problem with a pipe, the tobacco or the matches. I like to keep the matches from the strange places I stop at. Never brought back a pipe tool though.

Frank

But I dont even take out my projector from my carry on anymore and no one says anything to me.

[Phlegmatic]

Imagine there was a time that even I, 37yrs of age, can remeber when you could even light your smokes on the plane! We must have been is so much danger unbeknowingly!!

Fellow handgunner from sweden had the oportunity to follow his daugher and her bf to Paris, France. He checked in as normal and all went well. Came down to Paris. He allways wears the same coat, so while he was wakling on som fancy boulevard he feels a .22 cartridge in his pocket, takes it up and shows the others and they all get a laugh! And this was just a 3-4yrs ago! Hows that for security!

[MikeC]

Originally Posted by Phlegmatic

Imagine there was a time that even I, 37yrs of age, can remeber when you could even light your smokes on the plane! We must have been is so much danger unbeknowingly!!

Heh, I am about the same age and remember it well too. I always remember getting the last row of non-smoking, what was the point?!