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The 5 Craziest Things Passengers Tried to Sneak By the TSA in August

Nick Ellis
Nick Ellis
Contributor
Aug. 30, 2016
•
3 min read
tsa
The 5 Craziest Things Passengers Tried to Sneak By the TSA in August
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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 items on its Instagram page. Check out the 5 items that we at Team TPG think are the most ridiculous items that were confiscated this month. Once again, we're happy to see that the TSA has prevented these items from being smuggled on board aircraft with hundreds of other passengers!

1. Batarangs

Someone traveling from San Francisco (SFO) was feeling like a superhero one day when they tried to sneak these batarangs by the TSA in a carry-on bag. These weapons certainly win some points thanks to their good looks, but remember they need to be safely packed in checked luggage before they fly.

<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/08/TSA1.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-217304"></a> The TSA caught these batarangs at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

2. Flaming Balls

Fireworks and airplanes aren't a good match — thankfully the TSA caught someone trying to bring these exploding flaming balls onboard an aircraft at Manchester - Boston Regional Airport (MHT). Fireworks can't fly at all, even if they're packed in checked baggage.

<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/08/TSA2.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-217306"></a> Keep in mind that fireworks don't fly, even in checked baggage.

3. Hatchet and Knives

If you can't bear to leave your various knives and hatchets at home while you travel, remember to pack them in your checked bag. These weapons were confiscated by TSA agents at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Southern California.

<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/08/TSA3.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-217312"></a> Be sure to pack your pocket knives and hatchets in your checked luggage.

4. Grenades

We can't really imagine why anyone would want to bring a grenade (even if it's inert) onto an aircraft, but it's reassuring to know that the TSA prevented these explosives from getting on board a plane. Grenades and any other types of explosives are prohibited from flying — these were confiscated at three different airports around the country during the past month.

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<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/08/TSA4.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-217316"></a> Grenades or anything else resembling explosives can't fly with you — even in checked luggage.

5. Pizza

The last item isn't prohibited at all — it's just hilarious to see a pizza box queued up to get scanned alongside backpacks and laptops by the X-ray machines in Philadelphia (PHL). If you're dying to bring your favorite pizza with you on your flight, rest assured, because according to the TSA, "pie can fly!"

<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/08/TSA5.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-217328"></a> It turns out that pizza is perfectly acceptable to bring through the security checkpoint.

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

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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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    You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    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.

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.