The last time I flew was pre-pandemic and I had no trouble traveling with my Surefire. But, the world has changed. Anyone had any issues traveling with a 'tactical' light (Surefire, Fenix, Olight, etc)? I'm talking less than 7" length, non-crenelated bezel, Li-Ion battery. The TSA site says OK for carry =-on, but at the discretion of the agent. I take this to mean if he/she sees one they like they'll confiscate it. (Which I hate to consider, but it's the world they've given us.) Thanks.

I went thru Atlanta with a streamlight microstream in my pocket. They caught it on the X-ray thingy. Took it out showed it to the tsa guy, he turned it on and off and handed it back.

It’s about the diameter of a AAbattery and three inches long

No problems with my Olight i5T but it's not a LiIon battery.

I've flown with a Surefire E1B Backup with no issues. I put it and all my pocket litter in a gallon ziplock bag and usually stick it in a pocket on the daypack I use as carryon. I'm a germaphobe and have no idea of how often if ever those bins and trays are cleaned.

Lithium batteries don't seem to be an issue if they are in something. I change mine before a trip to avoid having to carry spares.

As proof of how weird TSA can get, I got my carryon hand-checked when my Deputy Sheriff's 5-pointed star shield was mistaken for a shuriken. They let it through with no issues after I showed them that each point had a little ball on the end, to keep us Deputies from hurting ourselves.

I fly virtually every week and have carried at least one flashlight with me for every trip for at least the last 10 years. Currently I have a Surefire T1A Titan and a Streamlight something or other with me. It’s not a problem.

Lithium batteries are also fine as long as they are not in your checked baggage.

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Lithium batteries don't seem to be an issue if they are in something.

My take as well, even though that's not really how their policy reads...

On the other hand, they've tried to burn me for a multi-bit screwdriver that measured 7.25" OAL(7" is the limit). Luckily I fly out of a low volume regional airport, so I was able to swap it for a smaller one from my car, because security at that airport only takes about 5 minutes to get through.

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Lithium batteries are also fine as long as they are not in your checked baggage.

Their policy makes no sense, I fly with Li-ion battery powered tools(drills and such) all the time in checked baggage, and they inspect the bags but always let them through...

You won't have a problem with your flashlight. I fly regularly with my Surefire E2D Defender with no issues.

ETA: Actually, a few years ago I had an agent tell me my Defender was borderline but ultimately let me through with it. They only saw it though because they flagged my $150 Benchmade Damascus steel tactical pen. They wouldn't let me take that though so I had to mail it home. And that's why I always travel with padded manila envelopes and a shitload of stamps, for just such occasions where TSA tries to confiscate something of mine.

I've traveled with a Fenix PD35 - no issues.

No issues with Surefires, usually have at least 2 on me when flying.

Thanks, gents, exactly what I needed to hear. I'll be good to go, now.

No issues for me. I keep an Fenix in my work backup all the time and fly a lot.

I had my SF U2 Ultra taken from me by a TSA agent. But only because she thought it was a cool little flashlight and a great way to annoy her coworker by shining it briefly in his face. She gave it right back.

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Originally posted by kidcop:
As proof of how weird TSA can get, I got my carryon hand-checked when my Deputy Sheriff's 5-pointed star shield was mistaken for a shuriken. They let it through with no issues after I showed them that each point had a little ball on the end, to keep us Deputies from hurting ourselves.

Every time I have to go through a metal detector I put all of the metal items in the tray that goes through the X-ray, to include badge carrier with my agency badge and credentials. My agency badge has 12 points on it and they always inspect it touching the points. Seriously?

As for the OP, I have never had a problem with my Fenix PD32.

Carried a Surefire U2 Ultra for years, now a Malkoff; never had an issue.

I've carried SureFire flashlights in my checked bags for over 20 years and never had a word said.

That includes a Defender I used to carry and now an EDCL2-T plus a Titan.

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Originally posted by stoic-one:
Their policy makes no sense, I fly with Li-ion battery powered tools(drills and such) all the time in checked baggage, and they inspect the bags but always let them through...

IDK why they don't reject those. Lithium batteries can and do spontaneously ignite. The passenger compartment has some special bags just for such an event, where the burning item goes in the bag and then lots of fluids get dumped in to cool it off below burning temperatures.

Batteries burning in the cargo compartment are a nightmare. There is halon fire suppression but it won't put out a battery fire.

A lot of batteries probably go through in checked bags but it shouldn't.

I always have a flashlight in my carry-on. Never had a problem.

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Originally posted by comet24:
I always have a flashlight in my carry-on. Never had a problem.

Same here, never a problem. On my person it should set off the *metal detector, so I put it in the bag.

*We use the pre-check line.

I always fly with my Surefire E1B clipped to my back pocket, I've had no issue pre-pandemic and no issues the last 24-months of flying. These lights were never on any restricted list. It's possible you MAY come across a hard-up TSA agent who thinks they're smarter than the average bear when seeing a crenelated bezel-edge, however I've never had any issue.