Congress bans lighters from airliners

Seattle PI ^ | Dec 8, 2004 | Leslie Miller

[Betty Jane]

It's not during the flight that I would have a problem. It's during the waiting time. You have to get there 2 hours early. Then there is the time between connections when I would like to have smoke. Now, if I can't smoke from 6:00 in the mornig until 7:00 at night when my connecting flight finally lands, I may become a teensy bit irritated.

[rellimpank]

---with dimwits like Wyden and Dorgan micromanaging things we don't need enemies--we'll self destruct---

[Bluegrass Conservative]

No, but I do think it should at least be said that matches are not allowed. I know that some will pass through, but maybe at least some wouldn't. Most of the mentally-deranged out there that would start a fire on a plane are also the ones that think metal detectors pick up on more than just metal. lol

[dalereed]

"what need would anyone have for a lighter???"

To light my cigarette the instant I can get outside the terminal on arrival!

[thompsonsjkc]

"Dorgan cited FBI reports that would-be "shoe-bomber" Richard Reid would have been able to ignite his explosive and blow up a trans-Atlantic jetliner three years ago if he'd brought a butane lighter with him."

I though Reid had some form of plastic explosive, which I don't think fire can detonate.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Grab a patch! : )

[AdamSelene235]

Okay, so maybe a terrorist isn't going to use a Zippo to hijack a plane. But, I'm more in fear of the prospect of some mentally-deranged jerk taking his lighter and a stack of the nearest airplane magazines and starting a fire on the plane. This isn't nanny-statism, this is just common sense!

In that case it would be wise to ban all liquids, powders, solids, etc.

Ramzi Yousef used to carry nitroglycerine in his contact lens solution bottle.

[Glenn]

Buy a cheap Bic at the airport.

Right. They will sell lighters after you have passed through security already. You must not travel much or you might be smoking something else entirely this evening.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

And your need for a cigarette that quickly is worth endangering the lives of everyone on the plane?

[Bluegrass Conservative]

All liquids, powders, solids, etc.? No. Nitroglycerine? Yes

[Redbob]

Next items to be banned:
Shoe laces.

Then ballpoint pens.

Then leather belts.

Then paper-clips.

[Prime Choice]

So my point stands. This measure buys us no additional security whatsoever and only serves to increase the nanny-state.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Travel plenty. I just don't smoke. Can't say I look for lighters that often. And I'm not one of the "you shouldn't be able to smoke anywhere" folks. It's your body. You know the risks. If you want to accept them to enjoy a cigarette, that's you for it. I could care less.

However, I don't want the possibility of a fire on a plane.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

It does by additional security. It does not buy complete security.

[AdamSelene235]

All liquids, powders, solids, etc.? No. Nitroglycerine? Yes

Given the extraordinary number of explosive compounds you will a complete laboratory analysis of *every* liquid, powder and solid that goes on an aircraft.

That isnt practical.

[politicalmerc]

the Shoe Bomber?

[Prime Choice]

All liquids, powders, solids, etc.? No. Nitroglycerine? Yes

Congratulations. By your senseless banning of nitroglycerine, you just sentenced countless people with heart conditions to death.

[AdamSelene235]

However, I don't want the possibility of a fire on a plane.

Any moron can start a fire without a lighter.

[Prime Choice]

It buys no security at all. Anyone with a book of matches can start a fire just as readily as anyone with a butane lighter.

[NonLinear]

No additional security? Okay, so maybe a terrorist isn't going to use a Zippo to hijack a plane. But, I'm more in fear of the prospect of some mentally-deranged jerk taking his lighter and a stack of the nearest airplane magazines and starting a fire on the plane. This isn't nanny-statism, this is just common sense!

But he could never do that with the matches that are still allowed, could he.

Bzzzzzzzt - wrong-o.

This is another in a long line of really stupid ideas that sound good but have no real effect.

BTW on a separate note - Had the shoe bomb not been allowed on the plane, the risk of getting it lit with a lighter would diminish exponentially.

Try again...