The 5 Most Ridiculous Items Passengers Tried to Carry on Board in August
Every week, the Transportation Security Administration 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. Shock Ring
Thank goodness the TSA caught this weapon before it made it on a commercial flight or there would have been a lot of surprised passengers. Shocking as it may be, powerful shock rings such as this aren't allowed in carry-on bags — although they are permitted if they're packed safely in a checked bag.
2. The Most Literal Nunchuks Ever
Rejoice! These nunchuks (literally, nun-chuks) look like they're trusty travel companions and they can come on board the plane in a carry-on bag.
3. Aluminum Sculptures
Ready for a long, strange trip? These Grateful Dead fan art pieces are free to fly with you in a carry-on bag.
4. A ...Dinosaur
While most of us believe that dinosaurs have been extinct for about 65 million years now, we may be wrong. Case in point: This dino has places to be and reached out to the TSA to inquire about how it could fly. Unfortunately, service dinosaurs aren't really a thing (yet), so this one had to travel in the cargo hold. Brr...
5. "Loaded" Coffee Mug
A coffee mug's a coffee mug, Right? Wrong. If your mug resembles a firearm (or any other weapon for that matter), it's not allowed on board. Anything that looks like a weapon — no matter how harmless it may actually be — needs to be packed safely in your checked luggage.
What's the strangest item you've seen at a TSA checkpoint?
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app


