TSA and the Ecig FAQ

[Breaktru]

The following is from an ECF post by member 13ways:

TSA and the Ecig FAQ

    Earlier today it was suggested that I make a FAQ about going through TSA checkpoints with a PV and after much deliberation, 30 seconds of thinking I am too lazy to do that, I have decided to write down a few things that I have noticed people worrying about.

    First things first though, a little about me. I am an officer with TSA and work at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and have been there for about a year and a half. I also worked for Virgin Atlantic Airways from 2001 till 2005 before I was laid off. I can answer most questions about going through security with your preferred method of vaping and/or your everyday items. If you have a question that is not covered in this FAQ feel free to ask me.

    Can I bring my eliquid with me on the aircraft?
    Yes you can with no problems as long as it is in a container that was commercially labelled at 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less or the container obviously could not hold more than that (I.E. the little bottles that come with Johnson Creek orders). Just please put it in a quart size clear plastic bag with your other liquids. If you do not have any you can ask someone when you get to the TSA checkpoint and they should be able to give you a ziplock bag.

    Are there any problems with bringing my PV through TSA checkpoints?
    None. They are not a prohibited item in any way shape or form. Though they do look rather ominous on the xray screen the most you will ever have to go through is to answer a couple of questions about what the device is as they go through your bag to see the item and/or run a test on the bag. If you want to completely avoid any interaction with the TSA officers I would suggest separating the battery from the atomizer and run it through the x-ray with your keys and other metal objects in your wallet. Keep in mind this does not hide it so they may stop the x-ray to take a look at it but it is not in a bag and therefore can just look in the container to see what it is.

    What about my prodigy/GG/SD/etc?
    Same as above. I think you may have less issue with those because the batteries would show up as batteries and not how the standard ecig shows on the x-ray but just like I said above if you want to avoid talking to an officer then separate the atomizer and run the whole thing separate from your bags.

    I have a container of eliquid that is larger than 100ml what should I do with that?
    Wrap it up tightly and very securely and put it in your checked bags. After seeing the bag room at MCO and how the equipment treats bags I would steer away from putting it in any case that relies on latches to close. The latches fail way more often than zippers do when they get hit by the "kickers". They are not called "kickers" because they gently nudge your bag, I have seen quite a few bags with latches get knocked and burst open spewing unmentionables all across the baggage area so please keep that in mind. That is also why you should never over stuff your suitcase.

    what about my PCC? would that cause a problem?
    Nope, none at all. It is nothing more than a battery box with some storage in it after all. I have not seen one on x-ray but I doubt it would look too bad.

    What items are prohibited?
    there is a list of items at TSA: Prohibited Items

    Once again if you have any other questions feel free to ask me. I will add to this as I see more questions people have. These were just the questions that I came up with off the top of my head.

[fsors]

Useful info thanks Break

[Sunset]

Hi Breaktru,

Can I put my Ego twist battery in the checked in bag. I've heard that I can't put them in checked bag, but there are also reports that people have no problem of just put them in checked bag.

What would happened if it was found in checked bag? Would they confiscate it and leave you a note?
Or will there be some sort of fine?

Thanks,

Sunset

[Breaktru]

Hi Breaktru,

Can I put my Ego twist battery in the checked in bag. I've heard that I can't put them in checked bag, but there are also reports that people have no problem of just put them in checked bag.

What would happened if it was found in checked bag? Would they confiscate it and leave you a note?
Or will there be some sort of fine?

Thanks,

Sunset

Hi Sunset, welcome to the forum. The person who wrote what I posted in the OP was 13ways. A member of ECF.
This was were I found it: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/travel-e-cig/35138-tsa-ecig-faq.html
You may want to ask him/her.

I've heard of people putting them in carry-on. Maybe you should e-mail the TSA to be on the safe side?

[CraigHB]

Don't put Li-Ion batteries in your checked bags.  There's a good reason it's not allowed.  Li-Ion batteries tend to catch fire when crushed.  If that happens in the cargo compartment, the airplane could burn up.

Li-Ion batteries are much safer to carry in the cabin.  Damage resulting in fire is less likely and if it does happen, a fire can be put out with an extinguisher.  Passenger aircraft always carry them in the cabin.  That's why devices with Li-Ion batteries in them like laptops, cell phones, and of course, e-cigs are allowed in your carry-on, but not in your checked bags.  That's also why shippers like FedEx and UPS have special handling on Li-Ion batteries when shipped by air.  They have to use a special container for them so it costs more. 

Inspectors don't always find stuff that's not allowed in checked bags, but they will not load them if they do.  Not sure exactly how they handle it.  I imagine they reject the baggage and hold it until your return.

If for some strange reason you must put Li-Ion powered devices in your checked bags, pull the batteries out and put them in your carry-on.  Putting Li-Ion batteries in the cargo compartment of an airplane is a legitimate risk to your own safety and that of others. 

[Sunset]

Hi craighb,

 thanks for the advise.

I've read the TSA's list of prohibit items, and this is the statement regards to lithium batteries:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits loose lithium batteries from being transported in checked baggage.

Not sure if I tuck it inside a eyeglass case (lost my Ego case)is still consider "loose".
by loose i guess they mean exposed to the point where a short could occur with contact to metal surfaces, since the ego twist is an enclosed case of stainless steel, the only way to cause a short with that battery is to jam something metal into the pin, turn it on and attempt to fire it.

I'm just too old to deal with all the anxiety with carry on. I don't use it that much, so I'd like to just put it in the checked bag and not having to deal with it.

what would the TSA agents do when they find it?
Confiscate it (battery)and leave you a note?

Of course, I don't want to break the law, if it's not legal, then I won't do it.

[shirl]

Hi craighb,

 thanks for the advise.

I've read the TSA's list of prohibit items, and this is the statement regards to lithium batteries:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits loose lithium batteries from being transported in checked baggage.

Not sure if I tuck it inside a eyeglass case (lost my Ego case)is still consider "loose".
by loose i guess they mean exposed to the point where a short could occur with contact to metal surfaces, since the ego twist is an enclosed case of stainless steel, the only way to cause a short with that battery is to jam something metal into the pin, turn it on and attempt to fire it.

I'm just too old to deal with all the anxiety with carry on. I don't use it that much, so I'd like to just put it in the checked bag and not having to deal with it.

what would the TSA agents do when they find it?
Confiscate it (battery)and leave you a note?

Of course, I don't want to break the law, if it's not legal, then I won't do it.

I don't see a problem w/ using an eye glass case as long as nothing but batteries were in it.
But I wouldn't risk putting them in checked in baggage.
Like Craig said " Putting Li-Ion batteries in the cargo compartment of an airplane is a legitimate risk to your own safety and that of others."

[shanen35]

I took my battery out of my provari and put it in those plastic boxes that madvapes sell. I put my PV and the bat case in my carry on and wasn't hassled at all.
I would not put them in the checked bags. I'd also would be afraid of it being stolen and arriving w/ nothing to vape with. Hate to have to buy cigarettes. 

[Breaktru]

[Brian9523]

Thanks for posting the Gimmgreen video. I'll be flying next month and info will be good to know

[pnguin]

I am flying to Paris next month. Right now my only commercial mod is down for warranty service. All I have left are home made box mods in AA battery boxes. To the non vaper these might look very suspicious. Should I just buy a couple of Ego type batteries for the trip to avoid any trouble?

[DRA]

I am flying to Paris next month. Right now my only commercial mod is down for warranty service. All I have left are home made box mods in AA battery boxes. To the non vaper these might look very suspicious. Should I just buy a couple of Ego type batteries for the trip to avoid any trouble?

I think things are different now a days. Probably won't have a problem with a box mod if the battery was removed and separated.

France will be banning e-cigarettes in public places France - Ban

[pnguin]

Hopefully they don't get the ban in place until after my trip.

[SweetKarma]

Hi Sunset, welcome to the forum. The person who wrote what I posted in the OP was 13ways. A member of ECF.
This was were I found it: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/travel-e-cig/35138-tsa-ecig-faq.html
You may want to ask him/her.

I've heard of people putting them in carry-on. Maybe you should e-mail the TSA to be on the safe side?

As a frequent flier on several airlines, I can say that TSA doesn't even ask questions. I stick my battery in with my 1 qt baggie and they don't even look twice. So, yes I put it in my carry on bag, I often walk down the hallways with it hangin out of my mouth and no one says a word. Many folks are getting into E-cigs now, and it's not anything new to see someone walkin down the airport hallways puffin away on one. I usually hit the bathroom to sneak a couple of puffs before I get on the next plane...no smoke, no smell, no complaints. They don't want lithium ions in the check in luggage now, so I just carry mine on. The only questions I have ever been asked is "where do you get one of those?" or something similar. I hope this helps!!

[fsors]

As a frequent flier on several airlines, I can say that TSA doesn't even ask questions. I stick my battery in with my 1 qt baggie and they don't even look twice. So, yes I put it in my carry on bag, I often walk down the hallways with it hangin out of my mouth and no one says a word. Many folks are getting into E-cigs now, and it's not anything new to see someone walkin down the airport hallways puffin away on one. I usually hit the bathroom to sneak a couple of puffs before I get on the next plane...no smoke, no smell, no complaints. They don't want lithium ions in the check in luggage now, so I just carry mine on. The only questions I have ever been asked is "where do you get one of those?" or something similar. I hope this helps!!

Whilst traveling abroad or domesticity I put my Mods and Batts Juice and tools and such in my Murse (Man Purse) and when I go by the xray machine and if they ask I just pull out a Big Mod and start puffin and this always shuts them up Plus I get a couple of tokes more before getting on the Plane 

[SweetKarma]

I can say too that even with hand made juices, as long as they are labled, even hand labled, they don't seem to mind.

 Most of the TSA I have run across are pretty nice anyways. The ones that are cranky= if you just give them a smile and say something nice to them, often you can make them smile too. I can't imagine having that job, myself, and I feel for you guys having to work with cranky passengers (at times) , screaming kids, and all of that. You guys have a tough job to do, and I do my best to respect that.

[fsors]

I can say too that even with hand made juices, as long as they are labled, even hand labled, they don't seem to mind.

 Most of the TSA I have run across are pretty nice anyways. The ones that are cranky= if you just give them a smile and say something nice to them, often you can make them smile too. I can't imagine having that job, myself, and I feel for you guys having to work with cranky passengers (at times) , screaming kids, and all of that. You guys have a tough job to do, and I do my best to respect that.

yes dealing with the sphincter in that way must be really hard..... I too feel for them too