TSA and the Ecig FAQ - e-cigarette-forum.com • The place for electronic cigarette reviews, news and chat

13ways · 08-31-2009, 07:26 PM

Earlier today it was suggested that I make a FAQ about going through TSA checkpoints with a PV and after much deliberation, 30 seconds of thinking I am too lazy to do that, I have decided to write down a few things that I have noticed people worrying about.

First things first though, a little about me. I am an officer with TSA and work at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and have been there for about a year and a half. I also worked for Virgin Atlantic Airways from 2001 till 2005 before I was laid off. I can answer most questions about going through security with your preferred method of vaping and/or your everyday items. If you have a question that is not covered in this FAQ feel free to ask me.

Can I bring my eliquid with me on the aircraft?
Yes you can with no problems as long as it is in a container that was commercially labelled at 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less or the container obviously could not hold more than that (I.E. the little bottles that come with Johnson Creek orders). Just please put it in a quart size clear plastic bag with your other liquids. If you do not have any you can ask someone when you get to the TSA checkpoint and they should be able to give you a ziplock bag.

Are there any problems with bringing my PV through TSA checkpoints?
None. They are not a prohibited item in any way shape or form. Though they do look rather ominous on the xray screen the most you will ever have to go through is to answer a couple of questions about what the device is as they go through your bag to see the item and/or run a test on the bag. If you want to completely avoid any interaction with the TSA officers I would suggest separating the battery from the atomizer and run it through the x-ray with your keys and other metal objects in your wallet. Keep in mind this does not hide it so they may stop the x-ray to take a look at it but it is not in a bag and therefore can just look in the container to see what it is.

What about my prodigy/GG/SD/etc?
Same as above. I think you may have less issue with those because the batteries would show up as batteries and not how the standard ecig shows on the x-ray but just like I said above if you want to avoid talking to an officer then separate the atomizer and run the whole thing separate from your bags.

I have a container of eliquid that is larger than 100ml what should I do with that?
Wrap it up tightly and very securely and put it in your checked bags. After seeing the bag room at MCO and how the equipment treats bags I would steer away from putting it in any case that relies on latches to close. The latches fail way more often than zippers do when they get hit by the "kickers". They are not called "kickers" because they gently nudge your bag, I have seen quite a few bags with latches get knocked and burst open spewing unmentionables all across the baggage area so please keep that in mind. That is also why you should never over stuff your suitcase.

what about my PCC? would that cause a problem?
Nope, none at all. It is nothing more than a battery box with some storage in it after all. I have not seen one on x-ray but I doubt it would look too bad.

What items are prohibited?
there is a list of items at TSA: Prohibited Items

Once again if you have any other questions feel free to ask me. I will add to this as I see more questions people have. These were just the questions that I came up with off the top of my head.

RsL · 08-31-2009, 07:40 PM

Thanks for the info!

PTJD · 08-31-2009, 11:47 PM

Thanks 13ways, seems like people may notice what Jim, RIA and I have been saying for at least 6 months now that its posted by a TSA agent.
I'll sticky this.

13ways · 09-01-2009, 01:57 AM

It feels weird having a post of mine stickied. My posts on other boards I go to are typically useless things put in just for the humor of it. Even the board that I am a moderator of lol. It is cool to actually be a contributing part of this forum though. If any of you are going to be flying through MCO feel free to send me a PM and we could meet up for a quick vape. Also I added my AIM name on here so if you have a question that you need a quicker response to feel free to send it there as I only check this site about once or twice a day usually.

madman3237 · 09-01-2009, 03:20 AM

What do you think would be the reaction to a 510 PCC?

WILDJC · 09-01-2009, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madman3237

What do you think would be the reaction to a 510 PCC?

No problem.

13ways · 09-01-2009, 04:28 AM

That is a good question. Ill add that one to the FAQ. but there would be no issue with that at all.

madman3237 · 09-02-2009, 12:40 AM

I've been avoiding flying since cigs first banned in airports. Guess I don't have that excuse anymore! Thanks for the info.

Jim Davis · 09-02-2009, 01:30 AM

Great job buddy;
Keep in mind too that if you come across anything new, the post can be edited or updated at any time.

13ways · 09-02-2009, 04:16 AM

I plan to keep adding things to this as I go. If anyone has a suggestion as to what should be on here or just a simple question feel free to post it up or pm it to me. That goes for you to WildJC, if you see anything that I missed let me know. I know the STSO's in MCO would find something

. It is nice to have a purpose other than random amusement for once.

08-31-2009, 07:26 PM	#1
13ways Full Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 81	TSA and the Ecig FAQ Earlier today it was suggested that I make a FAQ about going through TSA checkpoints with a PV and after much deliberation, 30 seconds of thinking I am too lazy to do that, I have decided to write down a few things that I have noticed people worrying about. First things first though, a little about me. I am an officer with TSA and work at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and have been there for about a year and a half. I also worked for Virgin Atlantic Airways from 2001 till 2005 before I was laid off. I can answer most questions about going through security with your preferred method of vaping and/or your everyday items. If you have a question that is not covered in this FAQ feel free to ask me. Can I bring my eliquid with me on the aircraft? Yes you can with no problems as long as it is in a container that was commercially labelled at 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less or the container obviously could not hold more than that (I.E. the little bottles that come with Johnson Creek orders). Just please put it in a quart size clear plastic bag with your other liquids. If you do not have any you can ask someone when you get to the TSA checkpoint and they should be able to give you a ziplock bag. Are there any problems with bringing my PV through TSA checkpoints? None. They are not a prohibited item in any way shape or form. Though they do look rather ominous on the xray screen the most you will ever have to go through is to answer a couple of questions about what the device is as they go through your bag to see the item and/or run a test on the bag. If you want to completely avoid any interaction with the TSA officers I would suggest separating the battery from the atomizer and run it through the x-ray with your keys and other metal objects in your wallet. Keep in mind this does not hide it so they may stop the x-ray to take a look at it but it is not in a bag and therefore can just look in the container to see what it is. What about my prodigy/GG/SD/etc? Same as above. I think you may have less issue with those because the batteries would show up as batteries and not how the standard ecig shows on the x-ray but just like I said above if you want to avoid talking to an officer then separate the atomizer and run the whole thing separate from your bags. I have a container of eliquid that is larger than 100ml what should I do with that? Wrap it up tightly and very securely and put it in your checked bags. After seeing the bag room at MCO and how the equipment treats bags I would steer away from putting it in any case that relies on latches to close. The latches fail way more often than zippers do when they get hit by the "kickers". They are not called "kickers" because they gently nudge your bag, I have seen quite a few bags with latches get knocked and burst open spewing unmentionables all across the baggage area so please keep that in mind. That is also why you should never over stuff your suitcase. what about my PCC? would that cause a problem? Nope, none at all. It is nothing more than a battery box with some storage in it after all. I have not seen one on x-ray but I doubt it would look too bad. What items are prohibited? there is a list of items at TSA: Prohibited Items Once again if you have any other questions feel free to ask me. I will add to this as I see more questions people have. These were just the questions that I came up with off the top of my head. Last edited by 13ways; 09-01-2009 at 04:31 AM.

08-31-2009, 07:40 PM	#2
RsL Super Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 738	Thanks for the info! __________________ Current Vapes: Prodigy, 510, 801, 901, M201, M401, KR808D-1, J118, J108, DSE601, DSE701, RN4062, DSE108.

09-01-2009, 03:20 AM	#5
madman3237 Mikey sensei Join Date: May 2009 Location: Laurel, DE USA Posts: 96 Blog Entries: 1	510 pcc? What do you think would be the reaction to a 510 PCC? __________________ Sign The Petition !!! And support CASAA

09-02-2009, 12:40 AM	#8
madman3237 Mikey sensei Join Date: May 2009 Location: Laurel, DE USA Posts: 96 Blog Entries: 1	510 pcc I've been avoiding flying since cigs first banned in airports. Guess I don't have that excuse anymore! Thanks for the info. __________________ Sign The Petition !!! And support CASAA

09-02-2009, 01:30 AM	#9
Jim Davis Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Texas / USA Posts: 3,902 Tweet this post!	Great job buddy; Keep in mind too that if you come across anything new, the post can be edited or updated at any time. __________________

08-31-2009, 11:47 PM	#3
PTJD Vapin at FL 360 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Edmond OK Posts: 1,470	Thanks 13ways, seems like people may notice what Jim, RIA and I have been saying for at least 6 months now that its posted by a TSA agent. I'll sticky this.

09-01-2009, 01:57 AM	#4
13ways Full Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 81	It feels weird having a post of mine stickied. My posts on other boards I go to are typically useless things put in just for the humor of it. Even the board that I am a moderator of lol. It is cool to actually be a contributing part of this forum though. If any of you are going to be flying through MCO feel free to send me a PM and we could meet up for a quick vape. Also I added my AIM name on here so if you have a question that you need a quicker response to feel free to send it there as I only check this site about once or twice a day usually.

09-01-2009, 04:28 AM	#7
13ways Full Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 81	That is a good question. Ill add that one to the FAQ. but there would be no issue with that at all.

09-02-2009, 04:16 AM	#10
13ways Full Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 81	I plan to keep adding things to this as I go. If anyone has a suggestion as to what should be on here or just a simple question feel free to post it up or pm it to me. That goes for you to WildJC, if you see anything that I missed let me know. I know the STSO's in MCO would find something. It is nice to have a purpose other than random amusement for once. Last edited by 13ways; 09-02-2009 at 04:19 AM.

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