Are vapes legal on airplanes?

[Rocketpunk]

I'm not talking about sitting there puffing away right next to kids and old people. I mean, let's say you need a serious nic fix, so you go to the bathroom. It usually only takes three or four long, strong draws on my vape to squash that nic fix. Now, if I keep it in my carry-on and it gets x-rayed, will they confiscate it or otherwise ban me from using it? I'm assuming it would not trigger any smoke alarms because there is no combustion of tobacco involved. I'm sorry if this is an oft-repeated topic, but I'm still a noobster.

I, for one, love the freedom of finally being able to sit through an entire movie at the theater or at home, or play WoW (snort) and not irritate my gaming friends. Now I don't have to irritate my family or friends who don't smoke by getting up to step outside every thirty to forty-five minutes. My girlfriend is excited. Work is so much better because our boss lets us vape as long as we're not busy and not in the sight of customers (I work at a very popular restaurant chain, you've probably eaten our food!!) As a matter of fact, smokers ruined our smoking privileges there a while back by constantly sneaking into the employee bathrooms to smoke when we were busy. We hired a guy who "smoked" a vape, and within three months, all but three or four people switched to the vape (out of over a dozen original smokers). Our boss doesn't quite understand the craze, but he accepts it.

I love this thing. It fulfills all my smoking quirks, from throat hit, to hand-to-mouth oral fixation, to having a neat electronic gadget to play with. Plus all of us at work like to try different flavors, so we're constantly passing around bottles of fluid, sharing and sampling them. I cannot believe it took us this long to create this device.

 

[18SixFifty]

From what I understand it's not accepted. It's not illegal in that you won't get tossed in jail, just off the jet.

 

[SuziesMom]

I'll admit that I have stealth vaped- it was an absolutely miserable flight, and the nicotine gum wasn't cutting it. The flight attendants kept feeding toddlers Pepsi- I felt justified, and getting kicked off the plane would have been the answer to my prayers.

I typically fly out of Canada, and knock on wood, have never had a problem with carrying my gear in my hand luggage. Batteries cannot go in checked luggage. The usual liquid restrictions apply.

 

[schmeborg]

I know with allegiant air vaping is not allowed on the airplane. I just flew 3 weeks ago and I was fine bringing my pv with in my carry on luggage. Just make sure you have the juice in a ziplock bag and it cant be in a container greater than 3 oz. I also would not recommend vaping in the bathroom on the plane as i believe it is possible to set off certain types of fire alarms that involve detecting a optical interference from the vapor.

Any further questions can be answered in the various threads here http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/travel-e-cig/

 

[B Hick]

When I went to Vegas earlier this year I was able to take it on the plane. I meant to put it in my suitcase but forgot and realized it while I was emptying my pockets into the basket. They said nothing about it so I just kept it in my pocket on the plane. I asked if I could vape on the plane and they told me no. I would advise you not to vape in the bathroom. I think that is a very bad idea. If you can't go a few hours without nicotine then get you some nic gum.

 

[Rocketpunk]

So the general consensus is it isn't wise to vape in an airplane bathroom.

Well, that sucks!

Can anyone elaborate?

 

[B Hick]

Watch Harold and kumar guantanamo bay and you'll understand!

 

[dydst]

As a previous poster wrote, many smoke detectors work by sensing optical interference between the sensors, not actual combustion. The vapor would probably set that off. If you're in the bathroom and the smoke detector goes off, you are probably in a world of shirt.

 

[RockDrummer]

New group - the Mile High Vapors!

 

[chips]

Top tips for stealth vaping

For situations where stealth vaping is required, get or make some e liquid using only PG as the base. You will get the same throat hit, but with much less visible vapour. Various e liquids use varying amounts of glycerine in their mixes, the more glycerine, the more visible vapour. Most ready mades contain some glycerine, but you can always do some DIY e liquid for a trip, omitting the glycerine.

Also try a flavourless e liquid as the vapour will also have no smell to it. Flavourless e liquid is suprisingly pleasant to vape.

You are allowed to carry an e cig in your hand luggage, but some airlines disallow use on board, due to other passengers thinking you are smoking. It is really only clouds of vapour and the aroma of any flavouring that alert anyone to the use of an e cig. As long as you havent got a huge contraption, you can easily hide a small e cig in your hand for a crafty vape. Put one of the cartridge caps over the end with the light, to hide that too, to be extra stealthy.

 

[zuzette]

If you try stealth vaping - maybe do it with a cheapie that you wont mind losing if you are caught

 

[booferMD]

Like most have already stated not allowed on commercial airlines so unless you are on a private charter jet or something along those lines I wouldn't try it. However, I have known people that travel A LOT and they vape in the bathrooms all the time and have never been "caught" or raised any issues with passangers or airline staff... and I'm talking short 2 or 3 hour flights to international flights up to 14 hours. With that said, it is more or less do at your own risk. If they catch you will you be arrested by the air marshall no but they will likely take your equipment away and possibly fine you (not sure how much).

 

[meli.]

Question I'd ask myself is it really worth taking the risk?
You may find the flight crew are sympathetic and let you off easy, but you may find yourself with flight crew who are less accommodating. Your flight will be ruined, you'll have to answer questions, explain yourself, blah lalala, do you really need all that hassle?
On the other hand if it's a long haul flight, approach the Chief Purser and explain, they may be willing to let you have a vape when the lights are dimmed and in crew quarters away from prying eyes.
Glad to read you have a Positive Understanding boss, and pleasant work experiences.

 

[Rz78]

There's no clear line to policy of vaping at flights but my advise it's best not do it. We don't want any bad repo on vaping as how it is that is bad in the media now

 

[DaveP]

I can see how vapers on an airplane would bring heavy protests from smokers who can't.

Photocells in many detectors would pick up heavy vape trails. Blowing it down your shirt and releasing the button before you stop drawing would prevent sidestream vapor from getting to the detector, but I wouldn't do it. if caught, they'd probably fine you.

We don't want to see you on a Fox News clip as you are escorted off by Federal Air Marshalls. Remember the guy in the UK who vaped inside his carry on bag? Someone reported a smoking bag explosive device and all heck broke loose!

 

[Rocketman]

Could you imagine a runaway battery on an airplane? Chances are slim, but you would be famous if your PV went thermal.
Button stuck, or got pressed when you didn't know it. Not like you could just roll down the window and toss it out.

Just imagine if someone saw you walking down the isle with smoke coming out of your pants pocket.

 

[dragonbone]

Vaping is prohibited by airlines.
I stealth vape on every flight and have never had a problem. Just be very sensible and careful about it with a small discreet ecig, and make sure that there is no visible vapor. If you are not by nature a careful and sensible person, don't even try it IMO...

If you do vape in the lav, blow downwards... don't try and 'test' the smoke alarm lol. I have vaped in the lav on one flight, no alarm went off....

 

[DaveP]

One word, Nicorette!

 

[Rocketman]

Probably a good idea Dave. I would have a crazy nic fit on a long international flight.
You can even chew Nicorette in handcuffs

 

[Shel]

As a previous poster wrote, many smoke detectors work by sensing optical interference between the sensors, not actual combustion. The vapor would probably set that off. If you're in the bathroom and the smoke detector goes off, you are probably in a world of shirt.

For what it's worth, I've vaped in the bathroom on planes numerous times.

If you're really concerned, wet a paper towel, and when you exhale, exhale into the damp paper towel.

There won't be ANY mist or vapor to trigger the detector, even if it works off of optical interference.

YMMV..... but I've never had any issue vapping in the bathroom.