I have it on good authority that a fellow recently forgot to remove the strike anywhere matches he carried in his checked baggage (a backpack) before he arrived at the airport to catch his flight. As luck (or Mr. Murphy) would have it, the matches, which were improperly stowed, ignited before the pack was loaded onto the airplane. After the smoldering bag was extinguished by airport authorities, the traveler was questioned and released. He later received a notice of civil penalty from the FAA proposing to fine him approximately $27,000, which is the penalty for illegally transporting hazardous materials. Strike anywhere matches fall into the HAZMAT category. Imagine what might have happened had the matches not lit until the bag had been loaded onto the airplane. Gulp. 8-{