#1
edit: Thinking back, there was another good story I just remembered. We found a pet Tarantula that a young man was trying to bring home with him while on break from college. It wasn't allowed on the flight so my friend/supervisor offered to take care of it while he was gone. He had many exotic pets over the years and knew how to take care of them. My supervisor took care of the complete stranger's tarantula and reunited it with the young man when he came back to town a few weeks later.
Airport security workers have had their hands full, quite literally, trying to juggle a bizarre list of items that passengers attempted to sneak onto planes in recent months. In January, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released a video titled TSA's Top 10 Best Catches 2024.
It showcased some of the wildest prohibited items concealed in the luggage of travelers last year. And the questionable methods used by these passengers.
"You won’t believe what people brought to the airport…" TSA captioned the video. And they might be right. Some of the items were an obvious no-no while others were a bit more "WTF?" More details below...
#2
Before getting my desk job, I used to be a police officer and once had to fly to do an investigation in a remote part of the country. Sent in the appropriate forms to the airline to advise them I'd be flying with my sidearm and equipment, all secured properly of course, and would have my badge and credentials with me to support that I was, in fact, a police officer travelling on-duty.
Low and behold, the day of my flight comes and I walk into the airport - pistol, ammo, expandable baton, handcuffs, badge and ID in my carry on as advised by the company - and I walk up to the service desk to let them know who I am and what I'm carrying. After a quick conversation with the supervisor they take me to a separate screening desk where they run all of my bags through the x-ray.
Security stops dead. "Sir, you can't carry this on the plane."
I'm surprised because I followed the regulations they'd given me for the pistol. Maybe I needed to ship the ammo separately and had just misread the form? "What do you mean?" I looked to the supervisor for help.
Security guy shakes his head. "No, the gun is good to go, but you can't have the baton on the plane."
WHAT!?
I can have a semi-automatic pistol and 25+ rounds of ammunition in my carry on, accessible to me in my airline seat, but I can't have a 21" metal stick weighing like 2 lbs!? I asked them in a much more professional way and they confirmed, yes, that is correct.
It was then that I realized security/ policing is a screwed up world and traded it for a desk and telling people what to do with their money.
One guy thought he'd fly (high) under the radar by hiding his bag of marijuana in a peanut butter jar. He figured if he left some of the peanut butter in it, and stuffed the weed in the middle, North Carolina airport security would be none the wiser. But boy was he wrong.
Bored Panda scooped a little deeper and found the original TSA Instagram post about the incident. "When we find peanut butter it doesn’t ever smell like this. That’s why when a passenger tried to pass skunk through Asheville Regional Airport it sparked some suspicion," the TSA captioned the post.
"For one, our OG’s know that peanut butter cannot fly unless it’s 3.4 oz or less. This goes for any liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, pastes, and lotion. A reminder to load up all your travel-size liquids in a single quart-size bag to prevent any unwanted delays," they continued.
#3
After much explaining it was revealed the TSA guy saw the Jolly Roger skull and crossbones and thought I was carrying human remains.
Katzekratzer:
I read this as Jolly Rancher in both parts and was so, so confused!
It seems while the TSA doesn't take prohibited substances lightly, they do have a sense of humor. "Sorry maaaaaan, weed and certain cannabis infused products remain illegal under federal law, unless they contain .3% THC or less," reads the post. "To put it bluntly, it’s pra-bowl-ly not the best idea to travel with your kush, if you’re looking for a fast and seamless travel experience."
"Wrapping up, if you’re dabbling with the idea of bringing accessories, relax. We don’t want to leaf you with any questions," the TSA quipped. "So to clear up any con-zoot-ion, you’re able to travel with residue free pipes and bongs. They can be packed in your carry-on or checked bags."
#4
zerbey:
Friend of ours went flying with his kids. His one kid was very small and was crying about wanting to take toys from home on their trip. They were so busy he just said whatever, throw what you need in your suitcase.
At the airport they get called to information because of an "issue" with one of their bags. The kid had packed his entire toy gun collection. It was an international flight. They got a good laugh out of it and let them continue, since it was the check in bag.
#5
A passenger in Virginia certainly didn't put his best foot forward when he got caught trying to smuggle a utility knife in his shoe. The TSA revealed that not only did the man have the guts to try and go through pre-check at Williamsburg International with the weapon under the sole of his foot... he also claimed to have no idea it was there.
"When asked about the knife, the man claimed that he didn’t realize that the utility knife was in his shoe. Keep in mind, this was quite a bulky item that was folded in its case, which made it even bulkier," reads a TSA press release. Not sure about you, but I'm pretty sure I'd feel something like that in my shoe. Heck, even a tiny bit of gravel irritates me.
The TSA revealed that the man was permitted to catch his flight to Charlotte International Airport after surrendering his utility "tool" to authorities.
#6
SiTheGreat:
They actually sell them at the gift shops. Pretty cheap too.
One Lego-enthusiast took his building and deconstruction skills to the next level when he stuffed a dismantled firearm, along with lego pieces, in a red combat boot. He stored the very prohibited items in a Marvel Avengers Lego set in a carry-on bag. It seems the guy totally forgot that airport security has X-ray vision.
The TSA said that the disassembled firearm parts were "artfully concealed" but were intercepted by officers at Newark Liberty International Airport. “This is an example of someone who was intentionally attempting to carry a [firearm] onto a flight,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey.
#7
jacobr1020:
What did your parents do? I would have punched that woman if I was your dad.
Anon (OP):
Well being the child I was (had severe anxiety, very nervous about life, was afraid of a toilet flushing) I was absolutely panicked and upset that this barbaric tsa agent woman scolded me for something I didn’t even really understand as a small child. too be truthful I don’t think my parents did anything except make sure I was okay and calmed me down because I was hysterical that I got into “trouble”. I remember it. She sorta reminded me of the principal from Matilda. My parents had to explain to me there were certain things you can/can’t have on the airplanes. I do recall them being absolutely pissed but what really could they have done?
jacobr1020:
Did they say anything to her? I certainly would have.
Anon (OP):
Just talked to ma. She said she chewed out the woman and the supervising officer for taking a 6 year old unattended for a search in a large airport without her parents over a frickin 8 oz water bottle.
#8
tldr: dead grandparents fly for free.
“He kept changing his story, first telling us that it was a toy... and then claiming that it belonged to his brother. Regardless of his claims, what I can tell you is that it was a fully disassembled firearm that he could easily have assembled and used on a plane," continued Carter. "Not only does this individual face criminal charges from the police, but he also will face a stiff federal financial civil penalty that is likely to set him back several thousands of dollars.”
I still shudder to think why he felt he needed to take the weapon onto the plane...
#9
I'm asthmatic and had a peak flow meter in my carry on. This is a device you use to measure how much air you're exhaling. This one was a long cylinder with a tapered end. It had a metal rod in it that the gauge would slide along. When my bag went through x-ray, the guard called another guard over. Elbows poked at each other, and latex gloves went on.
When the guard pulled out the peak flow meter, he looked super confused. He clearly thought he was going to be pulling out a d***o. "Um, what is this?" he asked.
"It's a peak flow meter for my asthma," I explained. "I blow in it. Would you like a demonstration?"
"No, ma'aam. That won't be necessary." But then he cracked, leaned over and asked "Do you mind if I show my friend?"
We all got a kick out of it.
Some people have zero regard not only for the safety of other passengers but for their own safety as well. The TSA says one person tried to slither through security with two live snakes. The man hid them in a small sunglasses bag. But it gets weirder. The passenger felt the best way to get the reptiles onto the plane without being stopped was to put them in his... pants! Yikes.
#10
DancingBear2020:
Imagine the embarrassment for the security guy to find out it's clay after opening it in front of everyone.
Meanwhile, over in China, authorities were dealing with a similar but even bigger problem. A passenger who had put no less than 104 live snakes in his pants, in a bid to smuggle them across the border. The animal trafficker placed the exotic snakes in six sealed bags. Authorities discovered a number of milk snakes, western hognose snakes, corn snakes, Texas rat snakes, and bullsnakes.
#11
Couldn't be checked because it's delicate. So I'd pull it out of carry-on and put it in a tray. They'd always want to check it and know what it was. It wasn't dangerous, but actually saying what it was in a security line could cause trouble.
I'd just pull out Id and paperwork, and point to the property tags on it and say "it's (military agency) property, it's harmless, it's very delicate, and costs about a years salary. You guys examine it however you want - Worst case I'll just get paid to make another one and double the profit."
Nobody ever wanted to touch it.
#12
Going through security I'm tapped on the shoulder. They found something in my interesting backpack, what the hell is it. It looks like some kind of long knife. They pull it out and find my parent's gift. I explain it's a gift from my parents and I'm flying to the US to get engaged. They go "hold on a second" and run it through. Both the security guys start laughing and tell me "You'll love it, congratulations and please don't open it up on the plane". It was a cake server with a decorative handle.
Fast forward to the end of my flight, I'd told the person sitting next to me I was going to propose. I guess word got around the plane. I had so many handshakes and best wishes as I was leaving the plane, it was pretty awesome! 20 years later, still married.
Back in the States, a few other tools made it onto the TSA's Top Ten Best Catches list for trying to get weapons onto flights. But the number one spot went to a man who casually carted a loaded firearm through the airport in a baby pram. Or as the TSA put it, a "pew-pew in a stroller."
#13
The box was opened upside down, spilling all of my chalk pastels on the table and coating the entire table in bright chalk dust, which does not wash off very easily.
#14
#15
I was flying back from Milan. the security worker stopped my dad's bag after the X-ray machine, and said there's some sort of liquid or gel in there. So he searches through the bag and eventually pulls out what he saw in the machine - a jar of Nutella. Now, he's probably a proud Italian and loves his Nutella, because I never seen a more devastated face in my life once he realized he needs to confiscate our Nutella. He started apologizing like crazy, "Oh no, I am so sorry..." and so on.
DachshundLuv:
I'd be devastated too, I've heard European Nutella is better than what we can get stateside and I freaking LOVE Nutella.
#16
#17
#18
They probably just thought it looked good and took it themselves.
#19
Being white and in his 70’s probably helped him in not getting arrested.
#20
My dorm had a pool table with a c***py cue ball. I bought one when I was home and had it in my carry on. A cue ball is apparently dense enough on the x-ray to alarm the staff.