On a recent trip to California, I realized that one cannot bring a butane lighter onto the plane with their carry-on luggage. The 2 lighters I found by the smokers stations were of little use, as they were both left by out-bound travlers at the same time I was scheduled to depart.

I propose a box be placed between the security checkpoint, and the luggage pick-up area of the airport.

Before entering security, a butane lighter could be deposited into the box and left for future users. Once your flight has landed, and on your way to pick up your luggage, you may simply walk to the box and grab a lighter that another traveller has left.

If needed, a ticket system could be implemented, that way one cannot take a lighter without first displaying a ticket showing that they did indeed deposit one before leaving the last airport.

Also, a small but measureable revenue could be generated by charging a small fee for the service.