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The 5 Most Ridiculous Things Confiscated at TSA Checkpoints in March

March 31, 2018
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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
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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.

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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?

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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.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • 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.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $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.