I already have a AA Maglite, so I might as well attach it to my keys rather than buying the Batonlight. Or is the Batonlight special enough to warrant purchasing anyway?

Latest list (7/24/2003) from the TSA on what is and isn't permitted in carry-on luggage is here . It lists kubatons as prohibited, but doesn't mention flashlights at all. Probably would depend on the screener looking at it.

Steve.

Having flown against my will recently for a last minute family emergency, I can categorically state that the words "reasonable" and "TSA" constitute our newest oxymoron - joining such perennial favorites as "military intelligence."

Pleading ignorance, what is "TSA?"

Who flies of their own choosing these days? I'd take a bullet train any day instead of a plane. Oops! I forgot, Japan was the country smart enough to invest in bullet trains, not America. The land of the free and home of the brave made a mistake there, I think.

TSA = Transportation Safety Administration

They are in charge of airport security in the US. You can find them at this site

Rather than chance the vagaries of legal interpretation by ex-McDonald's workers (I'm exaggerating but you get the point), I've seen an excellent idea to ensure you get where you're going with everything or at least don't have to surrender your 'disputed' item(s). The recommendation is to carry a couple of mailing boxes (or FedEx or UPS, whichever) folded in your luggage. If you get questioned, politely ask for the supervisor. If the supervisor says the same, excuse yourself, box the item and either overnight it your destination or 'slow boat' ship it back to your house. One additional good idea is to allow lots of time (obviously) and figure out for which type of mailing container it's going to be easiest to find a dropoff. Just don't look like you're 'casing' the airport or they might put you on the 'watch list'! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I believe that they don't have to return your "weapons" to you once they have confiscated them even if you then declare that you no-longer wish to take the flight. This proceedure may result in having your goodies confiscated anyway.

I take your meaning.

My sister was recently telling me to leave everything (!) at home because airport security will take it anyway.

She said one male guard had never seen an eyelash curler and tried to confiscate hers, declaring it a weapon. Yeah, right. Are these people COMPLETE idiots? The question is rhetorical. The answer, obvious.

My sister was finally rescued by a female guard who apparently had to fill the guy in on some "facts of life."

Sigh.

But Craig, you could put an eye out with that thing!!

And Minime may be quite correct, I don't know if they might just confiscate it right off the bat. I wouldn't put it past some 'stickler' bureaucratic type when they're having a bad day.

Perhaps a call to your local airport prior to the trip might get results. You might at least get a better feeling if you should even *take* the item or just ship it ahead of time to your hotel, relatives, etc.

It would be much more efficient to remove the eye in question with an ice cream scoop. Grin.