We’ve all been there when flying, hopping out of our shoes, pulling out our laptops, and hoping we didn’t accidentally pack too much shampoo. It’s a routine we know by heart, and it usually feels like a hassle. But while we’re sweating over whether our water bottle’s empty, some travelers are bringing stuff through security, that’s downright unbelievable. You simply wouldn’t believe what some people try to sneak onto planes.
TSA officers aren’t just dealing with the typical hazards of oversized liquids and nail scissors. Nope, they’ve encountered everything from live animals to chainsaws, all tucked away in suitcases as if that’s totally normal. TSA agents have seen it all and then some.
So, next time you’re annoyed by the line at airport security, take a deep breath and remind yourself that the TSA is at war with people who think live snakes are okay to transport in a carry-on bag. Trust me, these 14 tales make you rethink what “normal” luggage really means.
1. Live Eels
In 2012, TSA officers at Miami International Airport discovered something straight out of a nature documentary: they found a bag stuffed with live eels. Yes, actual, slippery, wriggling eels. Alongside them were 160 other sea creatures, including tropical fish and invertebrates. The passenger was trying to smuggle them into Venezuela. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stepped in and took the aquatic zoo off TSA’s hands.
You’ve got to wonder what the game plan was here. Did the passenger think the eels would just hang out quietly in the luggage? Either way, TSA saved the day, and the fishy travelers never made it to their intended destination.
2. A Chainsaw
A chainsaw. Let that sink in. At JFK International Airport, a traveler tried to check in a fully gassed-up chainsaw as if it were no different than a pair of socks. TSA agents quickly confiscated it, not because chainsaws themselves were banned (although they are on most airlines), but because it was still full of fuel, making it a serious hazard.
The TSA is very clear on its guidelines for engine-powered tools: just don’t. Concerns around the fuel, even residual levels, make airlines very antsy. It’s difficult to imagine a scenario where one would need to transport a chainsaw anyway, so maybe leave it at home.
3. A Suitcase Full of Spiders
In 2018, TSA agents at Miami International Airport got the surprise of their lives when they opened a suitcase and found it crawling with live tarantulas. The traveler, an amateur arachnologist (yes, that’s a thing), had packed the tarantulas after a research trip. The problem was that he didn’t have the permits required to transport the creepy crawlies.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather find a bottle of shampoo that’s too big than an army of tarantulas in a suitcase. Safe to say, those TSA officers probably weren’t thrilled with this discovery either.
4. A Replica Grenade
A replica grenade found in a carry-on at LaGuardia Airport in 2018 caused enough panic to evacuate a whole terminal. It wasn’t real, but it sure looked convincing enough to trigger alarms. TSA isn’t messing around when it comes to anything that resembles explosives. Even if it’s just a toy replica, don’t expect it to pass through security without causing a major delay (and panic).
This kind of stuff can really throw a wrench in your travel plans, not to mention everyone else’s. It’s a strong reminder to leave your replica war memorabilia at home when traveling.
5. A Batarang
Superhero dreams aside, you can’t bring Batman’s favorite weapon in your carry-on luggage. A traveler at San Francisco International Airport tried to bring one of these iconic throwing stars onboard a plane. TSA agents weren’t impressed by the comic book reference and promptly confiscated it. Sharp objects of any kind are a no-go in carry-on luggage.
Maybe this traveler thought they’d be fighting crime in the skies, but TSA didn’t want to encourage such heroics. Leave the gadgets to Bruce Wayne, and keep your luggage weapon-free.
6. A Human Skull
TSA agents at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport weren’t expecting to find a human skull in a traveler’s checked luggage, but that’s exactly what they uncovered. The skull was part of a decorative souvenir from Cuba, but TSA wasn’t about to let it fly without some serious questions. Transporting human remains, even as a quirky art piece, is no laughing matter.
For the traveler, this might have been just another conversation starter. For TSA, it’s another day at the office dealing with stuff they’d rather not be handling.
7. Bear Mace
A traveler at Anchorage International Airport learned the hard way that bear mace doesn’t belong in your carry-on. TSA agents confiscated the powerful spray, which is used to fend off bears in the wild but could cause serious harm if released in a confined space like an airplane cabin. Imagine the chaos that would cause mid-flight.
It’s one thing to be prepared for a hike in bear country, but it’s another to bring dangerous spray onboard. There’s a reason TSA strictly prohibits hazardous items like this.
8. A Samurai Sword
At Burbank Airport, TSA officers confiscated a samurai sword from a traveler who had tried to bring it in their carry-on. While swords can be checked if they’re packed properly, bringing one into the cabin is a big no-no. A sword might be a great souvenir, but it’s definitely not something TSA wants in the passenger cabin.
So, while this traveler hoped to take home a piece of history, they got a stern reminder that ancient weapons only belonged in checked luggage.
9. Snakes in a Suitcase
If you thought live eels were weird, how about live snakes? TSA agents at Miami International Airport found a suitcase filled with writhing snakes. The passenger was trying to smuggle the reptiles out of the country. TSA officers promptly confiscated the snakes and handed them over to wildlife authorities.
It’s hard to imagine the nerve it takes to try and get live snakes through airport security. I mean, have you ever tried sneaking candy into a movie? It’s hard enough. But snakes? That’s next level.
10. A Cannonball
In 2012, TSA agents at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport confiscated an antique cannonball from a passenger’s luggage. The coral-covered cannonball was apparently a historical artifact the traveler had found while diving. However, TSA wasn’t about to let a potentially explosive item onto a flight, no matter how much history was attached to it.
It’s not every day you see someone trying to check in old artillery, but TSA has to be ready for anything. And this time, “anything” happened to be a coral-encrusted cannonball.
11. A Knife Hidden in a Teddy Bear
At Los Angeles International Airport, TSA agents found a knife tucked inside a child’s teddy bear. The blade was hidden in the stuffing, likely in an attempt to sneak it through security unnoticed. TSA caught the weapon during a routine screening and confiscated it.
It’s one thing to try to smuggle a knife, but hiding it inside a teddy bear? That’s just asking for trouble. TSA officers are trained to spot suspicious items, and this tactic didn’t fool them for a second.
12. A Machete
A traveler at Burbank Airport thought they could carry a machete in their bag. TSA officers disagreed. The large blade was confiscated on the spot. While machetes are allowed in checked luggage, there’s no way you’re getting one onto a plane in your carry-on.
It’s not like people often need a machete mid-flight, but you never know what people are thinking when they pack for a trip. TSA rules on sharp objects are clear, and machetes are definitely on the no-fly list.
13. A Flashlight Taser
Some travelers have packed flashlights that double as tasers in clever but failed attempts to sneak a weapon through security. TSA agents have confiscated these dangerous gadgets multiple times. While they look like harmless tools, they can deliver a serious shock, which makes them a no-go for air travel.
Maybe the traveler thought they’d be the only one with a multi-purpose flashlight, but TSA has seen enough sneaky tricks to know when something’s off.
14. A Deactivated Missile
At Lehigh Valley International Airport, TSA officers discovered a deactivated missile in a passenger’s checked luggage. Even though it wasn’t live, TSA wasn’t taking any chances. The missile was confiscated immediately, and the traveler faced a thorough interrogation.
While this might have been a harmless souvenir, it’s hard to think of a good reason to travel with a missile. The TSA officers probably got a good scare out of this one.
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With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
