Again, American Airlines' posted rules make no distinction between an empty or full cigar lighter of the type that was confiscated. And again, the author of the piece bore the primary responsibility to make sure that his personal property could be transported under the rules laid down by American. This he arguably failed to do.
What danger does it pose?
Your lighter? Probably none. But are you willing to assign the same level of confidence to everybody else's lighter as well?
Why could she not give it back to him?
Their policy their rules. Don't like it? Then don't fly American (or likely any other airline from what I've seen, as they all seem to have similar policies).
It does sound to me like it was appropriated, probably because it was silver or gold.
Then color me amazed that my gold and silver cufflinks and studs, my gold pendant, my Seiko maritime watch, and my ring made it through TSA hell on my recent trip, because all did so without a hitch.
I call this government supported airline induced theft.
I call it failure to exercise due diligence on the part of the author of the piece.