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

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. Below are five things that we at Team TPG think are the most ridiculous items that were confiscated this month — once again, we're grateful that the TSA remains diligent in preventing passengers from boarding aircraft with such dangerous weapons.

1. Brass Knuckles

While they can certainly give you some major street cred, brass knuckles, recently found in one passenger's carry-on bag at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), aren't going to get you very far if you try to bring them on board an aircraft. While you can't carry them with you, brass knuckles are technically allowed to fly in your checked luggage as long as they're legal in the places you're traveling to.

2. Ornate Knife

TSA agents at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) discovered this deep-red knife in someone's carry-on bag. While it's one of the better looking knives we've seen, it's still prohibited from traveling with you on the plane. As a reminder, knives can fly if they're securely stowed in your checked luggage.

3. Knife Pen

This knife/pen combo looks like it would be at home in a James Bond movie, but since it's a concealed weapon, carrying it on could lead to steep fines and even arrest. To avoid any complications while traveling with concealed knives, pack them safely in a checked bag.

4. Belt Knife

While this belt/knife combo scores a lot of points for utility, it's not a great idea to try to get it through the TSA checkpoint — just like the knife pen above, this is a concealed weapon, meaning you could be subject to fines and even arrest. Make sure it's safely stowed in your checked luggage if you want to bring a belt knife along on your next trip.

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5. Replica Suicide Vest

One passenger at Richmond International Airport (RIC) thought it would be OK to bring along a replica suicide vest with him on a trip. While the passenger claimed it was simply a prop, TSA explosives experts and airport police were called in to deal with the situation. Ultimately, the explosives experts found that the vest posed no danger.

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