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The 5 Most Ridiculous Items Passengers Wanted to Carry On in April

April 30, 2017
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5 min read
Chicago TSA Featured
The 5 Most Ridiculous Items Passengers Wanted to Carry On in April
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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. To help inform travelers, TSA has created an "Ask TSA" twitter account where curious travelers can ask if they're allowed to carry on certain items. Below are the five most ridiculous questions asked 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 — or in some cases, cans of chili.

1. An Orange

While the normal fare we see on the TSA Instagram account includes dragon daggers, grenades and spartan hand guns, we couldn't help but giggle at this harmless fruit. One Twitter user wanted to know if they could bring an orange on board, and tweeted a picture of the citrus snack, just to be safe. You can, in fact, bring your fruit on with you. Orange you glad?


2. Grilled Hot Dogs

Apparently a lot of passengers had food on the mind while traveling this month. One asked TSA if his father-in-law could take eight cooked hot dogs through security. TSA's answer? Heck yeah! Good thing because those hot dogs look perfectly charred. Hope he plans to share with the rest of the plane.

3. A Cat

This cute kitty clearly wanted to accompany her parents on their trip. While animals are allowed through security, TSA advises to not pack them in ordinary carry-on baggage as it can lead to some pretty hairy situations.

4. A Super Creepy Fish

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While this person had no intention of traveling anytime soon, you can never be too sure about potential carry-on items — especially something like this fish with a full set of human teeth. We're not entirely sure why anyone would want to take this anywhere, but according to TSA, it's allowed, however fishy it may be.

5. Bear Deterrent

Snakes may make their way onto aircraft but it's much less likely that a wild bear will make it through security. But, you can never be too careful, like this one passenger who packed a can of bear deterrent in their luggage. For the record, mace of any type is not allowed in your carry-on.

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

Featured image by Getty Images

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.