That reminds me of a time when I had to go into a county courthouse. I secured my carry firearm in my car knowing that they weren't allowed. You had to empty your pockets and take your belt off and put all that through their security screeners to get in.

The security guy grabbed the holster off my belt as it exited the x-ray machine (or whatever it was) and started investigating it with a fine toothed comb. He was turning it over, looking inside, sticking his fingers in there, and all kind of things.

I told him, "It's not in there." He sheepishly handed it back to me.

The TSA continues to <self-censored well-reasoned, but derogatory opinion>. The only notable exception that I have experienced is Salt Lake City where people seem to be trained to read the scanner and polite behavior and respectfulness abound. If you are not traveling out of SLC, then prepare for vague and obscure rules to be interpreted randomly and illogically. I have been hassled like a terrorist for carrying an extra laptop battery, a standard sealed lead acid battery with a cigarette lighter plug attached (Road Pro Accessory), and a Fenix flashlight without any crenelated bezel or ninja attachments. All of which are clearly allowed under the written rules.

The lesson is that if you have any doubt, put it in your checked luggage (yeah, pay the extra $25 for a checked bag)or leave it at home. If you want to risk it, go early and carry a priority mail box addressed to yourself with postage attached.

And forget about any redress after the fact, your item was not "confiscated", you were just not allowed to board the plane with it. Its your choice what you do with it.

Thing is it should not be up to the individual screener to determine
if an item is acceptable or not. Get the receipt and if they are wrong then you must call them on it, this is the only way to get some consistency in a flawed system. After they are forced to pay out on thousands of $5.00 items that should never have been taken they will
be more likely to properly train the screeners.

I think in this case the TSA agent was overreaching his authority. According to the current prohibited items list, there is no specific listing for ferrocerium rods or other fire starters, a standard cigarette lighter and standard pack of safety matches can be carried aboard.

There are also plenty of inconsistencies among the prohibited items list. I cannot carry a hatchet, knife or kubaton, but I can carry ice skates, 4" pointed metal scissors, and screwdrivers up to 7". Don't even get me started on everyday items that can be formed into improvised weapons.

In general I find the TSA people to appear unfriendly and undereducated/skilled for the task, but nevertheless they have always been efficient and accurate, and I've never been in a position to need to debate their decision. My main beef is the extra time and hassle of going through the security screening often counterbalances the convenience of flying versus other forms of transportation for shorter trips. My other beef is how airlines have capitalized on this by implementing checked luggage fees. I find myself driving much greater distances rather than flying, not just because of the hassle, but I also get to enjoy some of the highlights on the road.

Flying has become such a hassle that I cringe whenever its necessary. My philosophy is to carry everything I need for up to 3-days that is TSA-safe in one small duffel bag I can stuff under my seat and my Scottevest jacket that goes in the overhead, and bring enough Ambien to ensure I am completely out for the entire trip. Any questionable items go into my checked bag if I bring one, or gets shipped to my hotel via USPS Priority Mail a few days in advance and held for me to check-in. You can fit a lot of stuff into a flat-rate USPS Priority Mail box for between $5 and $15 each way, as opposed to the $20+ many airlines now charge for a checked bag. Other advantages are your stuff is insured for full value, delivery tracking is free if you buy the postage on-line, and best of all, no standing around playing carousel roulette hoping your luggage is taking the same trip as you.

Based on this statement from TSA, I would expect to lose a Blast Match, ferro rod, or any lighter that looks uncommon:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/sop/index.shtm

I now find it easier and more relaxing to drive for two days to avoid a two hour flight (which usually turns into a 12-16 hour ordeal by the time you're done with it).

The security headaches. The lost and/or damaged bags. The high prices. The ridiculous fees - do you know they're implementing an additional charge if you want to sit next to your traveling companion now?!

The airlines have killed themselves IMHO. Stupid TSA requirements haven't helped the matter. You still need air travel if you go overseas, but for anything else, I'm just not a customer anymore. Funny thing is, I'm not the slightest bit sad or nostalgic about it either. I pity the poor folks that have to put up with the hassle and travel by air.

In the good old days, my rule of thumb was to drive, rather than fly is the distance was 400 miles or less, because the portal to portal time was actually less. Now that distance is greater, because of all the hassle. Flying is definitely not as much fun as it used to be, but sometimes it is the only way. I will be making an annual summer trip to the Black Hills this summer, 1400 miles one way, and I still fly, although the fun is pretty much gone.

TSA might be a bit friendlier on the SD end. Can't say for sure since I haven't flown since the recent TSA looniness began.

You'ver got a point there. I usually fly into SD and I have found TSA to be courteous and helpful, even on an occasion when I left a multitool in my pack and tried to board. It might have been different in Los Angeles....where crowds are much bigger.

I don't even consider air travel for anything less than 1000 miles. My daughters are utterly banned from commercial air travel for any reason -- I will not permit them to be subjected to the radiation, pornographic imaging, or groping.