Which until recently said "if you have a lighter, you can't carry it on. You have to check it." Suddently, the rule turns into "Instead of checking your lighter, you have to carry it. That is, unless our employee just feels like confiscating it that day."
Then I'll ask you the same question I asked earlier in the thread, said question to which I still have failed to receive an answer. If petty theft is indeed American's company policy as seems to be the charge of many here, then why weren't my silver and gold cufflinks/watch/ring/pendant, etc. taken from me during my recent trip?
What's company policy is not the theft, but applying rules in such a capricious manner that an employee can use them to steal -or merely to annoy, as they love so much - at his/her discretion. Obviously, your chain and pendant carried into the cabin is more of an actual threat to the flight than an empty lighter in checked baggage. So why the arbitrary difference in treatment of these items?
Funny - I've been flying to various holes in the world since the late 70s and have NEVER had the presence of a disposable lighter or even an old Zippo that I used to carry questioned at any time. I carried them on my person, in my checked baggage, and in my carry-on bag, and have never had a problem. Heck, I hit the trifecta on my recent trip and had two in my carry-on bag, one in my pocket, and one in my checked bag. Nary a word was said to me. Go figure.
That is, unless our employee just feels like confiscating it that day."
If you want to play hyperbole, then go ahead and do so. I'm tired of the game myself.