Skip to content
Go to Home Page
News

The 5 Most Ridiculous Things Confiscated at TSA Checkpoints in March

March 31, 2018
•
10 min read
As Long Lines In Airports Rise, TSA Struggles To Cut Waiting Times
The 5 Most Ridiculous Things Confiscated at TSA Checkpoints in March
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Spring is upon us! It's time to whip out your shorts, take your allergy medicine and buy all the flowers you can. Before packing up for your spring vacation though, make sure those pills and flowers are TSA-approved (and legal). And don't forget to pack your knives and guns in your checked luggage — those items are never allowed in your carry-on!

1. Stick a Spork in me, I'm done

As if the spork wasn't already an engineering feat itself, this fork/spoon/knife combo sent everyone at TSA into a tizzy after it was found in a passenger's carry-on. TSA agents found this "tactical spork" at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) and had to confiscate this nifty utensil. This passenger might've starved when he got home without his tactical spork...if only he'd remembered to pack it in his checked luggage.

2. Dude, That's Not What Getting Baked Means

This passenger at Anchorage International Airport (ANC) thought he could outsmart TSA by throwing his goods in a microwave oven and checking the package. This plan was only half-baked because authorities found the bag and were forced to call the police. According to federal law, anytime TSA agents find marijuana in any capacity they are forced to contact law enforcement.

This bag of marijuana was discovered inside of a microwave oven that was being transported via checked baggage at Anchorage (ANC). We're not looking for drugs, but when discovered, our officers must notify the police. ... The toast setting is located between the baked potato and pizza buttons. ... Under Federal law and many State laws, it's a crime to possess or transport any detectable amount of marijuana.  TSA does not have any regulations that address the possession or transportation of marijuana and cannabis infused products, such as CBD oil.  However, our officers are required to notify law enforcement if they discover marijuana, or other items that are illegal under State and Federal laws while screening you and your accessible property. ... Having a State-issued cannabis card or other documentation indicating that the marijuana is for medical purposes does not exempt you from TSA's requirement to notify law enforcement.  It is up to the responding officer, not TSA, to determine if possession of the marijuana is authorized under State law, or whether to make an arrest or confiscate the item if it is illegal.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on

3. (Dead) Bugs Can('t) Fly

Dead bugs cannot fly, physiologically speaking. But dead bugs can fly on aircrafts. This smart-traveler tweeted TSA to see if her husband's bug collection was TSA-approved. They are, indeed, and they are allowed as a carry-on item. It is, after all, a bug's life.

These can fly! Well… they can fly on the plane as a carry-on item, but they can't actually fly anymore. Those days have clearly passed for this swarm. They've been pinned down for quite a while on a project. I'm guessing your husband made you ask because he didn't want to be a pest and bug us, right? … This is a screenshot of a tweet sent to the AskTSA account on Twitter. … Have you ever wondered whether or not you can pack a certain item? If you're a regular follower of this account, I'm sure you can think of many situations where it would have behooved somebody to send us a picture first. Well, fret no more! Now you can do just that… … Simply snap a picture and tweet it to AskTSA (twitter.com/asktsa), or send it via Facebook Messenger (facebook.com/asktsa) and our team will get back to you promptly with an answer. … And that's not all. Contact us about any TSA related issue or question you might have. We can even help you if you don't see TSA Pre✓® on your boarding pass. … We look forward to answering your questions, 9am-7pm daily. #AskTSA #TSATravelTips

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on

4. Pills for that Stabbing Pain

We've said it once, we've said it one million times. Knives are never allowed on any aircraft, even if you're hiding it in your vitamins. This passenger at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) thought he could trick TSA with his iron supplement, but joke's on him — that knife will remain in the possession of TSA.

5. Guns, Guns and More Guns

2018 has been a record-breaking year, already, for the number of guns TSA has confiscated at security check points. Between March 19-25, TSA discovered 79 firearms in carry-on bags. 71 of those guns were loaded and 24 had a round chambered. As a reminder, firearms are never allowed in carry-on baggage. They are, however, allowed in checked bags and following proper protocol with your airline. As an additional reminder, carrying a firearm through a security checkpoint will hold up the line, which will cause delays, and do you really want to be that guy?

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

TSA officers discovered 79 firearms last week in carry-on bags around the nation between March 19th and 25th. Of the 79 firearms discovered, 71 were loaded and 24 had a round chambered. Click on the link in our profile to visit our blog and read more details about the firearms that were discovered. … While firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags, you can pack them in your checked baggage as long as you meet the packing guidelines at TSA.gov … As a refresher, carry-on bags go into the cabin of the plane with you. Checked bags go into the cargo hold of the plane where passengers have no access. … When firearms are discovered at the checkpoint, we contact law enforcement and they decide what happens based on background checks, interviews and local laws. … A firearm at the checkpoint could lead to fines, arrests, missed flights or all of the above. As far as what happens to confiscated firearms, that's up to each local police department.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on

Featured image by Getty Images

TPG featured card

Best for businesses with high spending

Capital One Venture X Business

Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4.5 / 5
Go to review
Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
at Capital One's secure site

Rewards

2 - 10X miles

Intro offer

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles

Annual Fee

$395

Recommended Credit

740-850
Excellent

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for businesses with high spending

Capital One Venture X Business

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4.5 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

2X miles2 miles per dollar on every purchase
5X miles5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
10X miles10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel

  • Intro Offer

    LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles

  • Annual Fee

    $395

  • Recommended Credit

    740-850
    Excellent

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month