Travel and Vaping Travel Experiences past 18 months

[MicciMan]

I do not claim to be an authority on travel and e-cig but here are my experiences traveling with e-cig the past 18 months.

Models:

1. Vypr-510
2. PS Protege
3. KR808

juice, batteries, Accessories:

1. JC in 3ml bottles (carry-on);
2. JC in 15 and 30ml bottles (carry-on and checked baggage for 15ml; 30ml in checked only).
3. 510 batteries (carry-on).
4. Tenergy and Ultrafire chargers.
5. Bags of 510 attys (carry-on and checked).
6. Cartridges / cartomizers (carry-on and checked).

My Travel Process:

1. I put the 3ml and 15ml juice bottles in a plastic bag and pull the bag out per TSA guidelines.
2. I put all batteries in a plastic bag and pull the bag out per TSA guidelines.
3. Attys, carts stay in a small soft-sided usb pouch in my carry-on.
4. e-cig is either in a pen slot in carry-on, or just loose in bag. I have passed through checkpoints with it fully assembled as well.
5. I'm a middle-aged average-looking white guy and don't draw attention to myself.

Airports and Airlines:

1. Raleigh-Durham; Atlanta; Washington DC; NYC, Boston; Newark; London; Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt Germany; Vienna Austria; Paris; Barcelona.
2. Delta; Air France; Lufthansa; American; United; British Airways; Continental; GermanWings.

Results:

1. Not one single question from TSA or Security in any airport or country.
2. Not a single missing item.
3. Never singled out for a thorough check or search.
4. I accidentally blew vapor on a Lufthansa flight, the attendant told me I couldn't do it on the plane. I said "This is my personal vaporizer" and she said "Oh, ok".
5. I have vaped on every flight and in every airport. On the flights I discuss with anyone sitting next to me, explain what it is, and ask them to tell me if it bothers them. No objections yet.
6. I exhale vapor into my shirt, a pillow or blanket, whatever is easiest. No monster hits, just enough to get a pleasant hit.
7. In the airports, I vape wherever I am - walking, sitting at a gate, sitting in a restaurant. Nary a word from anyone.

Having passed through TSA/Customs over 15 times during the past 18 months, it has been a transparent experience. Again I am not an authority; ymmv and all that. But being practical and sensible with how you pack and how you use the e-cig == no need to be paranoid.

 

[rons29445]

Nice information.
My business travels have been curtailed due to the economy and I recently gave up analogs.

But I do wish I had found out about e-cigs and vaping when I was traveling. I can recall planning my trips so I could catch a smoke room in Atlanta, Cincinnati or Reagan. I even joined the USAir Club just to be able to smoke in the Charlotte Club smoke room before they finally shut it down (Feb 2010).

Here's to Vaping!

 

[whynotvap]

Well I recently had to accompany a relative all the way to the airline gate to assist her. I didn't even think about my Buzz Vari-volt being in my jacket pocket... Pull all my stuff in the bins, e-juice and spare batteries included, without a thought, my jacket in another one and lo and behold, a problem. Everything comes through, I start putting my shoes back on and they told me they have a problem with something in my jacket. I'm thinking it's my lucky silver dollar but they said "No, it's a long cylindrical object". My mind whirls for a second envisioning a cavity search and grandma sitting in a wheelchair all alone but once I explained that it was just an e-cig with a battery modification that allowed for variable voltage to be applied, they relaxed. A dog sniff and another scan and I was back on my way. For post Thanksgiving travel, I thought it was actually pretty quick overall to get through security. I think they were more worried that it was an improvised weapon with a silencer vs an explosive device though. I did work a plug in for the forums though so hopefully the TSA may gain a few more e-cig converts, and notcigs a few more customers! I think that so long as the person is knowledged about their particular e-cig and positive about being an ambassador (even if reluctantly sometimes), they shouldn't have many problems travelling in the states. The biggest problem will still be the age old one of finding power adapters