At LHR about a month ago I flew out to Newark. After all the normal secruity (I agree there is always a 'dangerous item of the month'), I got to the gate and they were bag checking there before boarding.
Whilst in the queue I noticed a sign saying "No Lighters or Matches permitted onboard". Ok, I thought, but too late for me to throw my lighter away, so I will just hand it to the guy when I get to the front of the pushback delaying queue...
So, I put my bag on the picnic table and put my lighter down next to it. The overly miserable secruity worker goes to take it, at which point I turn around to be touched up by a not nearly miserable enough colleague of his.
I'm clear to go, so I pick up my bag and walk towards the tunnel of no return, only to hear "Sir....SIR!". ****, what have I done wrong!?
"You forgot your lighter!"
You mean I can take 100ml of toothpaste AND a lighter on board? Now I really don't feel safe
