About 7 weeks ago, the FAA banned all electronic vaping devices from check-in baggage. Who ever wrote those rules obviously is clueless about vaping. They think all vape devices are the cig-a-like type with non-removable batteries. They even list "atomizers"
What they don't realize, is the majority of vape devices don't have batteries unless you install them. Banning an atomizer? They also don't realize an atomizer is useless without a power device that has a battery in it. It's like banning a lightbulb.
Even if the FAA didn't mean to include a mod with no batteries, it's not written that way. The TSA (enforcement arm of the FAA) is even more clueless and could confiscate everything whether it has batteries installed or not.
Is the FAA banning all lithium powered Flashlights with no batteries installed from check-in baggage? No
I have two flashlights that each hold 4 18650 lithium batteries. Totally legal to check in according to the FAA.
That said, I recently flew with 2 tube mods, a Noisy Cricket, 2 dripper attys, a tank, two spools of wire, cotton, tools, 18650 charger, etc... When I got home, there was a note card inside my suitcase saying my luggage was checked by TSA. They didn't take anything. There were no batteries in my checked-in vape bag. I carried-on 3 sets of 18650's in plastic cases, an Innokin Distruptor with 2 spare batteries, and had no problems with TSA.
I wrote TSA an email asking to clarify. All I got back was a canned email regurgitating what the FAA rules are.
"Thank you for contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Contact Center in regards to traveling with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping devices.
The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and loose lithium batteries in checked baggage. E-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems have a heating element that vaporizes liquid (that may or may not contain nicotine) and are battery-powered. These items are only allowed in carry-on bags.
When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or planeside, all electronic cigarette and vaping devices, along with any spare lithium batteries, must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin. Passengers should check with their airline for any additional restrictions when traveling with or using e-cigarettes onboard commercial aircraft. TSA does not regulate the use of e-cigarettes in aircraft cabins.
The liquid content of e-cigarettes and refills are generally permitted through TSA security checkpoints in carry-on bags if it complies with the 3-1-1 policy for liquids: containers must be 3.4 ounces or less and must fit in a quart-size, zip top, clear plastic bag; one bag per person, placed in the screening bin. For more information about TSA’s 3-1-1 policy, please visit https:\\www.tsa.gov\travel\security-screening\liquids-rule.
It is important to note that even if an item is generally permitted, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) have the discretion to prohibit any item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if they believe it poses a security threat. TSOs make the final decision on whether to permit certain items into the sterile areas of the airport.
We encourage passengers to familiarize themselves with TSA Travel Tips at http:\\www.tsa.gov\traveler-information\. The Web site has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist them in preparing for air travel. Passengers may also search the Web site’s database of prohibited and permitted items using the “Can I Bring…” feature on the homepage of www.tsa.gov.
We hope this information is helpful.
TSA Contact Center"
What they don't realize, is the majority of vape devices don't have batteries unless you install them. Banning an atomizer? They also don't realize an atomizer is useless without a power device that has a battery in it. It's like banning a lightbulb.
Even if the FAA didn't mean to include a mod with no batteries, it's not written that way. The TSA (enforcement arm of the FAA) is even more clueless and could confiscate everything whether it has batteries installed or not.
Is the FAA banning all lithium powered Flashlights with no batteries installed from check-in baggage? No
I have two flashlights that each hold 4 18650 lithium batteries. Totally legal to check in according to the FAA.
That said, I recently flew with 2 tube mods, a Noisy Cricket, 2 dripper attys, a tank, two spools of wire, cotton, tools, 18650 charger, etc... When I got home, there was a note card inside my suitcase saying my luggage was checked by TSA. They didn't take anything. There were no batteries in my checked-in vape bag. I carried-on 3 sets of 18650's in plastic cases, an Innokin Distruptor with 2 spare batteries, and had no problems with TSA.
I wrote TSA an email asking to clarify. All I got back was a canned email regurgitating what the FAA rules are.
"Thank you for contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Contact Center in regards to traveling with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping devices.
The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and loose lithium batteries in checked baggage. E-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems have a heating element that vaporizes liquid (that may or may not contain nicotine) and are battery-powered. These items are only allowed in carry-on bags.
When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or planeside, all electronic cigarette and vaping devices, along with any spare lithium batteries, must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin. Passengers should check with their airline for any additional restrictions when traveling with or using e-cigarettes onboard commercial aircraft. TSA does not regulate the use of e-cigarettes in aircraft cabins.
The liquid content of e-cigarettes and refills are generally permitted through TSA security checkpoints in carry-on bags if it complies with the 3-1-1 policy for liquids: containers must be 3.4 ounces or less and must fit in a quart-size, zip top, clear plastic bag; one bag per person, placed in the screening bin. For more information about TSA’s 3-1-1 policy, please visit https:\\www.tsa.gov\travel\security-screening\liquids-rule.
It is important to note that even if an item is generally permitted, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) have the discretion to prohibit any item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if they believe it poses a security threat. TSOs make the final decision on whether to permit certain items into the sterile areas of the airport.
We encourage passengers to familiarize themselves with TSA Travel Tips at http:\\www.tsa.gov\traveler-information\. The Web site has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist them in preparing for air travel. Passengers may also search the Web site’s database of prohibited and permitted items using the “Can I Bring…” feature on the homepage of www.tsa.gov.
We hope this information is helpful.
TSA Contact Center"
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