Airline passengers attempted to bring tens of thousands of banned items with them through security checkpoints at U.S. airports since January, according to the government agency that inspects travelers.
Federal officers for the Transportation Security Administration found the normal prohibited contraband, such as loaded guns, ammunition, and knives in carry-on and checked bags in 2019. They also found a variety of unusual and dangerous items on passengers and in their luggage, some of it documented by the unexpectedly droll TSA blog.
In March, a survival flare pen and seven flares were discovered in a checked bag at Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport in Mississippi.
Someone who may have been getting ready for the Fourth of July attempted to bring boxes of fireworks through security at Miami International Airport in April. TSA in a blog post noted a variety of banned explosives: “Spleen splitters, whisker biscuits, donkey lighters, hoosker doos, hoosker don’ts, cherry bombs, nipsy daisers, with or without the scooter stick, or whistling kitty chasers” are not allowed on planes. “Oh, I almost forgot, snakes and sparklers are NOT allowed either! If we do find snakes we will for sure call Samuel L. Jackson to come handle the situation!”
[Previous coverage: Second rocket launch device recovered this week at airport]
One passenger at Nashville International Airport in May tried to bring a carry-on through containing more than 50 razor blades.
In June, TSA officers discovered a calculator packed in a carry-on bag at Chicago’s Midway International Airport was packing not only Duracell batteries on its backside but firearm ammunition. “Using ammunition as a battery can lead to a civil penalty when packed in your carry-on bag. This is a calculator that the passenger will now need to use to figure out how they’re going to pay for that penalty,” TSA wrote in a blog post.
The same month in Nashville, officers found what looked like large bags of nacho cheese that turned out to be simulated Semtex explosives, which are made of plastic.
TSA reported finding knives in all sorts of sizes every month, but, in July, officers found a knife concealed in a lipstick kit.
“If this post creates enough buzz, then maybe passengers will stop packing their stun guns in carry-on bags. One can only hope. Until then, in case it’s not obvious, electrical or shocking weapons aren’t allowed in carry-on bags. Please pack these items in your checked bag. This stun gun flashlight was discovered in a carry-on bag at Kansas City International Airport on July 9,” TSA wrote in a blog post.
In August, three passengers separately brought two propane tanks, a hatchet, and lighter fluid onto flights out of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“It just wouldn’t be a glamping trip without your propane, hatchet, and lighter fluid. But before you head off for a weekend in your yurt chalet, take a minute to see which of these items you can and can’t fly with,” the TSA blog suggested. “Hint: The only purpose for propane and lighter fluid to exist is to be flammable, so they’re prohibited on a plane — in carry-on or checked bags. Just buy it when you get there.”
“What in tarnation? A passenger at JFK on Tuesday brought a .45 caliber firearm concealed inside a block of tar,” TSA wrote in a September post. “We’re not making this up! Officers had to beat the tar out of the box to secure the firearm. You could say he really got himself into a sticky situation … ba dum tss! But seriously, don’t do this! If you must pack your heat, kindly place it in your checked bags and declare it to your airline.”
Later in September, Baltimore/Washington Airport and Boston International Airport officers found an air bag in a passenger’s luggage. “Air bags are basically inflated using a small explosive actuator. These actuators are a big no-no … Hot tip — modern aircraft have all the security features you need to ensure a safe trip.”
“Someone had a crappy day at one of the Transportation Security Administration checkpoints yesterday at Newark Liberty International Airport when he didn’t watch his ‘Pees and Qs’ and instead of rolling through the security process, this cowboy got stopped up when he was found to have a most unusual prohibited item in his carry-on bag on Tuesday, Oct. 29,” the agency wrote. “When the carry-on bag entered the checkpoint X-ray machine where a TSA officer spotted the revolver. TSA needed to get to the bottom of it, and when the bag was opened, the item that had triggered an alarm wasn’t an actual firearm at all. Instead, it was a realistic replica gun that had been configured into a toilet paper roller. Yes, this most unusual revolver was not designed to spin bullets. It was designed to spin toilet paper.”
TSA officers at Dallas/Fort-Worth International Airport noticed a bottle containing more than the three ounces of liquid allowed in carry-on bags and found it contained synthetic urine. The traveler was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and falsification of drug test results, according to a statement issued in November.
A passenger flying out of Orlando International Airport hid two high-capacity magazines in infant toys. The toy and box were made to appear to be factory sealed. Local police were called and confiscated the magazines.
“Not all monsters have grenades, but when they do, they can’t fly!” the agency wrote in a post Dec. 1. “Every day, TSA officers answer the call to keep dangerous items and monsters off your flight. When we find replicas of dangerous items like this mad Mike Wazowski, it makes our job harder and slows everything down.” The seizure was made at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Nov. 25.
