I'm ALL about airport security. That being said....this does NOT make me happy.
Beginning April 14, 2005 ALL cigarette lighters will be banned on commercial airlines.
**scowling**
OK - I'm no longer allowed to smoke in most airports. I can live with that. But....when I get off the damned plane I go where ever I need to go so that I can have a cigarette. I will go back out through security and re-enter no problem. I stand outside in all types of weather - no problem. But now they are saying I cannot carry a lighter on my person. That means I have to buy one everywhere I go.
All because of that flippin' shoe bomber - bastard. They say if he had access to a lighter rather than matches he may have been successful.
Oh - they are still allowing matches - until they have an opportunity to garner public opinion. Matches....what the heck do they even look like? It's been so long since I've used one.....In fact - I hate matches! I always end up burning myself, a piece of clothing, a rug.....it's just not a good thing for me. And just TRY to light a flippin' match outside in the wind, rain, ect.
Just give me 5 mins alone in a room with this SOB - especially after having flown cross country, without a flippin' cigarette - just 5 mins. What he attempted to do is enough, in my opinion, to put him out of our misery. This...this is just the straw that broke the camels back.
I know I know.....it's for the greater good. But that doesn't mean I've got to like it.
Damn, just damn!
Posted by Tammi at March 1, 2005 09:50 AMIt isn't for the "greater good" that's the whole problem. What they're doing makes people think something is being done, therefore they feel better. In the end it's all just silliness. These bandaid measures may provide some level of secure feeling for some people, but for me, I find it scary. They're only looking for "set things" which means someone with a novel approach will walk right on through. It's the main problem with reaction instead of pro action.
Posted by: Teresa at March 1, 2005 10:02 AMYou should start carrying matches and "Accidentally" light things on fire -- fake plants, the carpet, trash cans, etc.
Posted by: Ogre at March 1, 2005 10:34 AMYeah, they are silly in their measures.
It will eventually have such a negative kick-back that the whole show will fall apart. People will either stop flying or they will demand security go back to being reasonable.
Well they are allowing disposable razors back into your carry on luggage.
So just give it a couple years, lighters will be back.
Or think of it as another reason to quit smoking.
Posted by: Machelle at March 1, 2005 11:48 AMThis one pisses me off more because people are going to get there GOOD lighters stolen by airport security.
Like the lucky engraved Zippo lighter that was given to you by a friend who's now dead that you carry with you everywhere you go, not because you smoke, but because you loved your friend and a civilized man knows that being able to create fire may save his life.
I don't have one exactly like that, but I do have a couple sentimental Zippos that I'd hate to lose.
Posted by: Harvey at March 1, 2005 11:58 AMI have every sympathy. And the farthest I've ever flown is Spain, which takes maybe an hour and a half.
Matches...I swear they make the entire cigarette taste bad.
If I were you, I'd set up a nationwide chain of stalls outside airport terminals selling cheap lighters for, say, $10 each to desperate smokers. You'd make a fortune, and you could fly private in future.
Okay, that's stupid...
Posted by: Sally at March 1, 2005 01:42 PMSally - I think that's a great idea! Why don't you do that, then you can hire a private plane and come on over to meet your family!
Posted by: TNT at March 3, 2005 01:08 AM