The 5 Craziest Things Passengers Tried to Sneak by the TSA in December
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. Below are the five most ridiculous items that were confiscated 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.
1. Designer Dagger
This weapon may be a looker, but good looks don't go very far when trying to get a knife past the X-ray screening machines at a TSA checkpoint. This intricate dagger was discovered in a carry-on bag at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF). Note that you can travel with knives, as long as they're packed safely in your checked luggage.
2. Roman-Style Sword
Here's another stylish weapon that someone tried to carry on a plane with them. The Roman-style short sword, known as a gladius, was confiscated at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). Note that if you want to travel with your sword, you have to pack it in your checked luggage.
3. Hand Grenade
Someone who was meant to receive a hand grenade for the holidays is sure to have been disappointed, as this one was confiscated at a TSA checkpoint at Richmond International Airport (RIC). Remember that all grenades — even fake or inert ones — can't travel with you in carry-on or checked luggage.
4. Blowtorch
Highly-flammable propane certainly doesn't belong on an airplane. Good thing the TSA found and confiscated this propane blowtorch in Atlanta (ATL) before someone was able to bring it on board. You're allowed to bring the headpiece of the torch with you on your travels, but the canister is not allowed in either carry-on or checked luggage.
5. Cattle Prod
Well, this is a new one. A passenger at Chicago's Midway International Airport (MDW) tried to bring this electric cattle prod on board a plane with them before it was discovered and confiscated by the TSA. Note that you can't bring any shocking device on board with you, but they can travel if they're packed in checked luggage with the batteries removed.
What's the strangest item you've seen at a TSA checkpoint?
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.