TSA cig lighter and breast milk rules to be relaxed Aug 4

[Icarus]

The cigarette lighter ban is being lifted on Aug 4. The US was the only country that implemented a lighter ban. (This one wasn't Kip's fault. It was a stupid law passed by your congress in response to the Richard "the shoe bomber" Reid incident.)

Mothers carrying breast milk will be allowed to carry more than 3 ounces of breast milk through the checkpoint with or without an infant.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/20/wa...=1&oref=slogin (free registration required)

“Taking lighters away is security theater,” Mr. Hawley said. “It trivializes the security process.

The policy change, which is to go into effect on Aug. 4, applies to disposable butane lighters, like Bics, and refillable lighters, like Zippos. Torch lighters, which have thin, hotter flames, will continue to be banned.

Security officers have been collecting some 22,000 lighters a day nationwide, slowing down lines at check points. Even so, many smokers had found ways to sneak lighters through checkpoints, often by placing more than one in a carry-on bag. Disposing of the seized lighters has cost about $4 million a year.

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/20..._07202007.shtm

TSA is also modifying the procedures associated with carrying breast milk through security checkpoints. Mothers flying with or without their child will be permitted to bring breast milk in quantities greater than three ounces as long as it is declared for inspection at the security checkpoint.

So, the change is that you no longer have to be traveling with an infant and you can take more than 3 ounces but you have to declare it. The TSA will no longer make you taste it at the checkpoint. (was that really required before the change?)

-David