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The 5 Craziest Things Passengers Tried to Sneak by the TSA in December

Dec. 30, 2016
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3 min read
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The 5 Craziest Things Passengers Tried to Sneak by the TSA in December
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Every week, the TSA blogs about items (mostly weapons) that agents have confiscated at airports around the country, and the agency posts some of the crazier ones on its Instagram page. Below are the five most ridiculous items that were confiscated this month — at least according to us at Team TPG. As always, we're grateful that the TSA remains diligent in preventing passengers from boarding aircraft with such dangerous weapons.

1. Designer Dagger

This weapon may be a looker, but good looks don't go very far when trying to get a knife past the X-ray screening machines at a TSA checkpoint. This intricate dagger was discovered in a carry-on bag at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF). Note that you can travel with knives, as long as they're packed safely in your checked luggage.

2. Roman-Style Sword

Here's another stylish weapon that someone tried to carry on a plane with them. The Roman-style short sword, known as a gladius, was confiscated at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). Note that if you want to travel with your sword, you have to pack it in your checked luggage.

3. Hand Grenade

Someone who was meant to receive a hand grenade for the holidays is sure to have been disappointed, as this one was confiscated at a TSA checkpoint at Richmond International Airport (RIC). Remember that all grenades — even fake or inert ones — can't travel with you in carry-on or checked luggage.

4. Blowtorch

Highly-flammable propane certainly doesn't belong on an airplane. Good thing the TSA found and confiscated this propane blowtorch in Atlanta (ATL) before someone was able to bring it on board. You're allowed to bring the headpiece of the torch with you on your travels, but the canister is not allowed in either carry-on or checked luggage.

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5. Cattle Prod

Well, this is a new one. A passenger at Chicago's Midway International Airport (MDW) tried to bring this electric cattle prod on board a plane with them before it was discovered and confiscated by the TSA. Note that you can't bring any shocking device on board with you, but they can travel if they're packed in checked luggage with the batteries removed.

What's the strangest item you've seen at a TSA checkpoint?

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.