For a 25 yrs strong cigarette smoker it had always been my motive to fly only thru airports which had a designated smoking room / lounge. This is since the ICAO ruling came about no on-board smoking internationally somewhere in 1999 (smoking in domestic flights was banned in 1988, with all flights becoming smoke free by 1990 in the US).
I also took to avoid long-haul journeys and invariably chose flights with a stopover. Basically got down midway to smoke! Upon switching over to vaping things were no different. I still took stopover flights ~ to run to the nearest smoking room and vape!
However, with changing times - and worldwide acceptance / awareness to vaping - things have started to look promising for us vapers! Most folks now seem to understand that vaping is not smoking. So, as long as you dont blow arrogant clouds you might be able to get away vaping at most airports today, even while comfortably sitting anywhere, not specifically in the smoking zones.
Things you should consider (while vaping at airports):
I am a frequent traveller. Fly around the globe - and have successfully vaped in every airport, even where smoking areas are not available. There is however a caveat: we should not be arrogant. We should remember that even today many folks consider vaping akin to an act of smoking. Thus, if anyone asks you to stop, stop you should, without going into discussions about 'how it is different - and how it is not harming them. That discourse could cost you your connecting flight if nothing else!
Packing your vape gear/s right:
Accepting the fact that you should not 'blow clouds itd be wise for us to leave our RDAs and Mech Mods behind and pack just an Ego with a Clearo instead. 99% of airports have no issues with e-Cigarettes in our hand baggage, unless off course they look like something else (does Innokin Coolfire II ring a bell?).
A cigalike is our safest bet (remember theres never a ban on carrying cigarettes on board!), will thus pass thru without a/ny questions asked. An Ego or a 14500 mod (looks like a cigar!) is fine too ~ but so is also a box mod. Bcoz a box mod could be construed as an External Power Bank, for our cellphone and the like/s.
Packing our e-liquid/s:
ICAO regulations specify that liquids in 100ml containers (max) could be carried on board. And they need to be carried inside see thru plastic packets of size 1L (max), which is a standard sized ziplock bag. So, this is the packet where our e-juices should go. A 10ml bottle, or two, should suffice the in flight urges, right? The filled clearo could remain attached to our Ego, no problems there, and could remain inside the backpack / laptop bag.
Dont carry expensive gears:
For the simple fact that many nations, especially in the Middle East, ban use of e-cigs in their countries, thus their Immigration Officials might confiscate your gear upon arrival (tho I had no problems carrying my vape stuff thru United Arab Emirates airports). So, an Ego lost would always be better than handing over my WAE-II (Wizards Apprentice Evolved) or Provari, right? Let them thus be safe in our "checked-in" baggage!
Vaping inside the flight:
If youre lucky you might find the seat beside you vacant. In which case vape along! The trick is in going super stealthy. Dont blow much vapour out. A cigalike works out the best. Even for an Ego / Clearo combo try and inhale slowly ~ keep most of it within yourself ~ and gradually exhale the rest inconspicuously.
Myth: Vaping triggers the on-board Smoke Alarm! ~UNTRUE!
Have you noticed the flight crew spraying Aerosol inside the cabin just before landing? Happens with most flights - thru most airports. If that didnt trigger the alarms how could our vapour do?
I thus took it upon myself to check. Vaped inside the on-board bathroom (many times) midway thru my flight. And bingo! No alarms. I didnt even try concealing my exhaled vapour - didnt mellow it down - and blew straight out. No problems!
Yes, its worthwhile to note that I didnt use a RDA with a mod. Thus the vapour exhaled was not as thick as itd be under regular practice. But I wouldnt be carrying them on-board anyway, would I?
Airport Vaping Zone/s:
Things are definitely looking brighter, for us vapers! Heathrow airport (London) has recently installed (2014) a vaping zone. The first, and only one, of its kind. Its a pretty nifty feat considering that Heathrow has a no smoking policy inside the airport. It might just be a matter of time before others follow suite. NJoy are you there? Hint, hint
BOTTOMLINE:
So yes, vaping in the airports and within the flight is possible. We need to just remember that courtesies play a big role in it. Vape for your nix-fix, but not for sporting clouds! Leave that extravagance for your vape meets and cloud comps or at home. Avoid being a nuisance and respect the choice/s of a non-smoker beside you ~ the same way as youd like him to leave you alone with your vaping escapade.
It's wise nonetheless to find a quiet corner and vape without drawing much attention. I have done it - and even with some travellers noticing me - none objected! Btw, I've noticed a few more vapers in the airports - and had a conversation with them too. O' yes, most of them are on ECF as well, if not on their local vape forums!
Folks, pls post your flight pics and stories too
