Finally, we can report some good news for vapers who travel … well, most of them.
On July 9th, 2014, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said e-cigarettes of all varieties are now permitted in your carry-on luggage. That is, except for one specific device that possesses a distinct design flaw…It looks like a grenade. I’m not saying it’s simply oval. Or tapered. Or bumpy. This thing is an exact replica. If John Wayne ever put down the Chesterfields, this is what he would have vaped.
Now, we’re not in the business of free advertising, so we won’t post a picture. But trust us, the TSA is right. This large-sized, authentically styled device is an exact replica of the genuine article, right down to weather-beaten paint job and military colors (rumors that you pull the pin and yell “FRAG!” to adjust flavor are unsubstantiated at this time). Ok, now back to the point at hand: What the TSA had to say about traveling with e-cigs.
TSA Announces E-Cigs Permitted in Carry-On Luggage
The recent TSA announcement was made after agents discovered the vape ballistics in a bag at Salt Lake City International Airport. To clarify a fairly common-sense issue with the public, the TSA was forced to post a statement it should have never had to write:
“#TSATravelTip: #Ecigs and #vaping devices ARE permitted in your carry-on and checked bags. Unless they look like a grenade…”
As most vapers know, transporting e-cigarettes through security checkpoints is never a fun part of air travel. Regardless of whether we’re carrying cigarette-sized disposables, or complicated mods, many of us (present company included … twice) have had to disassemble them, or even discard them entirely, depending on the mood of the agent on duty. It wasn’t fun, but we did it to avoid more – ahem – invasive screening.
Why This is Good News for Vapers
For everyone, except the guy who lost his e-grenade, this is great news. The TSA is saying we can travel with our e-cigs without having to take them apart, slowing lines or drawing unwanted attention from security agents. Considering most naysayers think e-cigs can’t even charge without pyrotechnics, it’s forward-thinking of the TSA to permit them. So, kudos to the agency for doing the right thing.
Of course, a select handful of e-cig users will complain about a loss of rights. As vapers, we constantly face scrutiny, so when something bad happens to one of our own, our first reaction is to cry foul. But honestly, if your e-cig looks like a grenade, a bowstaff, a machete or anything similar, why on earth would you try to take it on a plane? Or anywhere, for that matter?
Related: E-Cig Mods vs. Cig-a-Likes: When Size Matters
Believe me, if I see you walking down a sidewalk holding a grenade emitting steam, I’ll do a “Frogger” impression that will be nothing short of legendary. So, as your friendly neighborhood e-cig blogger, all I can say is this: Be smart, kids. There is no need to make it more difficult to enjoy e-cigarettes. You have a lot of perfectly powerful, yet more realistically sized e-cig options when travelling. Now, thanks to the TSA, you can pack your kits, load up on extra e-tanks, and have a handful of disposable e-cigs ready to go, ensuring a hassle-free trip. However, if your vaping rig looks like it came from the shed of a doomsday survivalist, you might want to think twice before throwing it into an overnight bag on your way to Boca.
It’s not like the TSA didn’t warn you.
