What do grenades, eels, snakes, and ninja throwing stars all have in common? That’s right, you guessed it! They’re all things that passengers tried to bring on the plane with them, only to have them confiscated by Transportation Security Administration employees.
A fun fact that you probably didn’t know about the TSA is that it uploads lots of photos of the strange items its employees confiscated onto its Instagram account. A surprising amount of people think that it’s alright to smuggle in prohibited items like explosives (such as home-made bombs meant to literally cause avalanches) and weapons (like axes, cleavers, and even… keyblades).
We’ve collected some of the weirdest items that the TSA took away from passengers for your enjoyment. So scroll down, upvote your faves, drop us a comment below, and remember to follow the rules about what you can and most definitely cannot bring on a plane. After all, we wouldn’t want anything similar to Snakes on a Plane to repeat itself in real life, would we?
More info: TSA.gov | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter
This post may include affiliate links.
This Image Is An Inert Replica Of A Laptop Bomb. What Looks Like Cereal In The Baggie Is Actually Inert Dynamite Flakes
An Erie International Airport (Eri) Tsa Officer Let The Cat Out Of The Bag This Week. Literally. And The Cat’s Name Is Slim
A Knife Hidden In Your Flowers
Most of us have stories about how we or someone close to us saw weird things going on at the airport. That includes emotional support pets like ducks or ponies. And incredibly awkward situations involving mistaken identities that accidentally lead to long-term relationships.
There’s something about the idea of flying that makes people lose their common sense and have their heads up in the clouds. The worst part? It’s not isolated to the stuff people pack.
Here Are Proper Ways Do Declare Firearms And Ammunition, And Then There’s Stuffing Everything In Bicycle Tires
Listen, We Know You’ve Been Rambling On Ever Since You Lost Your Girl So Fair In The Darkest Depths Or Mordor, But Your Sword Needs To Be Packed With Your Checked Luggage
What We Can Tell You Is That Chainsaws Are Not Permitted In Carry-On Bags
In fact, some individuals can be an absolute horror to fly with. Both for other passengers and the flight crew. For instance, some passengers love leaving a mess. And one passenger even left a dirty diaper in their seat pocket. Yuck. Yuck, yuck, yuckity yuck.
Agent Flynn Has Had It With Snakes On Planes, And Our Officers Prevented A Young Ball Python From Flying The Friendly Skies This Past Sunday
You Won't Have A Beautiful Day If You Try To Bring This "Lipstick" Through Airport Security
Large Organic Mass Turned Out To Be A Bag Of Moose Nuggets (Or Feces, Droppings, Excrements, Etc.) That The Passenger Was Taking Home From Their Alaskan Adventure
While another time, a plane had to turn around and head back to the airport because someone took a very, very smelly poo. I’d love to be joking right now. But this is serious.
According to the BBC, the captain of the plane actually made an announcement about the “pungent smell” due to the “liquid fecal excrement” in the toilet. The plane turned around after 30 minutes of flying and headed back to the airport. The next available flight was 15 hours later.
This Bag Of Marijuana Was Discovered Inside Of A Microwave Oven
I want to understand this thought process. Did it go like this: "I want to take this huge bag of weed on my trip with me, but I don't want to get caught or go to jail. I know, I will pack it in a microwave and then carry the microwave on the plane. They will suspect nothing. People fly with microwaves every. single. day."?
Enough Is Enough! We Have Had It With These #%!&@$ Snakes In This %@$! Checkpoint!
Please Don’t Get Snippy When Our Officers Tell You That You Can’t Pack These Ginormous Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting Scissors In Your Carry-On
At First, It Looked Like A Harmless Inanimate Bat, And Then Pfloof!!! It Was A Batarang!
Some Travelers Are Extremely Cautious About What They Pack, While Others Lob Inert Mortar Rounds Into Their Bags
This Looks Like Something Out Of A Mad Max Movie. It’s As If Mad Max Wanted To Paint The Thunderdome With The Blood Of His Enemies. It’s A Paint Roller Wrapped In Sandpaper And Wire With Nails Protruding
Tactical Spork That Allows You To Defend Said Franks And Beans From Ne'er-Do-Wells
If You Find Yourself Needing To Travel With Your Razor Glove, Please Pack It In Your Checked Bag
Son O’ A Biscuit Eater! Some Land Lubber ‘N Atlanta Stowed A Flintlock ‘N ‘Is Carry-On Duffle! ‘E Won’ Be Walkin’ Th’ Plank Fer It, But Packin’ A Pistol ‘N Yer Carry-On Can Git Ye Thrown ‘N Th’ Brig ‘N Fined
This Carry-On Goody Bag, Presented To Our Tsa Officers At The Security Checkpoint, Included An Ax, Throwing Star, Double-Edged Dagger, And Machete
This Foot-Long Replica Of #naruto’s Minato Namikaze Kunai Was Discovered In A Carry-On Bag At Atlanta (Atl). We Assume The Passenger Was Traveling Alone. Very Alone…
Does This Phone Look Suspicious To You? Well, Besides The Fact That Borat And Idiocracy Were Still In Theaters When This Style Of Phone Was Popular, There’s Something Else Strange About It. It’s A Stun Gun With Shockingly Good Reception!
No, no... I would fall for it. Very *realistic*
Obviously, There Is Something Fishy About This Knife
I like how this entry seems to imply that the knife would be fine without the fish
Here’s A Friendly Reminder That Knives Are Not Allowed In Carry-On Bags.
If You Are Packing For Your Own Yukon Trek, Please Remember To Remove All Knives From Your Carry-On Luggage
Make No Bones About It, No Knives Are Allowed To Be Packed In Carry-On Bags
An 8.5” Knife Was Discovered Inside An Enchilada
While One Might Say That This Pink Plastic Dinosaur-Shaped Grenade Is Dino-Mite, It’s Not Permitted In Carry-On Or Checked Baggage
Forget Having A Bad Hair Day, You Just Won’ T Have A Knife Day If You Get Tangled Up With A Dagger At A Checkpoint
This is not a dagger... its pretty common in round brushes. The brush part pops off, and there's a plastic point to help you part your hair in a perfect line. Similar to a plastic comb that has a point at one end. Honest mistake but i can see how it might be used as a weapon...
Nope. This is sold as a hidden weapon. Parting hair has no part of it. I have seen this one before.
Load More Replies...Pretty amazing they caught this thing. Doesn't look like it's made of metal, so can't be detected by the x-ray either.
They see it on x-ray. The gap is visible and gives a clear image. I have seen this one before and asked a TSA about this exact model.
Load More Replies...2nd most dangerous thing about that shank-brush: how horrendously filthy it is
probably to keep security from wanting to touch it/make it look used/make it look like a real brush
Load More Replies...This Sharp Finger Claw Weapon Was Discovered By Our Eagle-Eyed Officers
Razor Blades Like These Must Be Packed In Checked Bags
Well, the TSA ruined a perfectly good pair of shoes. That wasn't someone trying to smuggle blades in their shoes. That's how shoes are made, with a metal band along the bottom for reinforcement. Some cobblers recycle old saw blades for the purpose, since they are inexpensive and made from spring steel. Many corset makers also use old hacksaw blades as boning in corsets for the same reason.
This Firearm Would Go Swimmingly With A Vintage Kitchen Appliance, But It’s Not A Good Idea To Take It On A Plane
All Knives, No Matter Their Size Or Denomination, Are Prohibited From Being Carried Onto The Plane
This Replica Of @amcthewalkingdead’s “Lucille” Was Discovered Recently In A Carry-On Bag
Seriously. Why do people even try to bring these things?!
We Think It’s Safe To Say That The Traveler Who Packed This Prefers Their Rice Wine With A Bit Of A Sting
Our Officers Aren’t Looking For Contraband, But If You Pack It With A Knife Or Other Prohibited Item, You Might As Well Stick A Fork In It
Weed, a knife/fork set, and what are those 4 things in the lower right??
These Dapper Inert Grenades Were Wedding Gifts For Groomsmen. They Were Discovered In A Checked Bag
Shovels Must Be Packed In Checked Bags, Dig?
While Gas Masks Are Allowed In Carry-On Bags, Replica Bullets Are Not
Originally Known In The Mid-18th Century As “Ye Olde Cleaving Cat
People Go To Great Lengths To Get Soft Skin, But A Face Tenderizer Might Be A Bit Radical. Unless The Look You’re Going For Is Raw Meat
Hiding Things In Books Has Been Going On As Long As There Have Been Books, Which Would Literally Make It The Oldest Trick In The Book. Think About That…
Raphael Was So Excited When He Heard He Could Carry On A Pepperoni And Pickles Pizza That He Forgot All About His Twin Sai
Call It A Hunch, But This Bottle Opener Looked A Bit Fishy
Verified Even If Not Real, Replica Or Inert Explosives Are Not Allowed, At All, In Carry-On Or Checked Bags
Beelzebub’s Backscratcher Was Discovered In A Carry-On Bag
Satan’s Fidget Spinner Was Discovered In A Carry-On Bag
It’s A Gun. It’s A Knife. It’s Super Spoooooky And Skull-Adorned
Maybe they were expecting the Apocalypse to happen while they were in mid-flight?
Box Of Inert Replica Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers
A Cleavers Discovered In Bags Were For Carry-On
I don't know what professional chefs do. Their knives can cost many hundreds of dollars each. They don't want to check them through.
This Egyptian Falcon Knife Was Forged With The Power Of Horus And All Of His Wisdom
Artfully-Concealed Knife That Was Placed Inside A Bottle Of Liquid Antacid
We Know This Is A Far Cry, But Please Don’t Attempt To Conceal Prohibited Items!
why can't someone just WAIT til they get where they're going and buy a new one????
Wash, Rinse, And Do Not Repeat. If You Ever Think About Trying Something Like This
The Item You See Pictured Here Is Designed To Look Exactly Like An Improvised Explosive Device (Ied)
We’re Having A #throwbackthursday Moment, Looking At Some Rocket-Related Items That Have Been Discovered By Our Officers
Most Travelers Stuff Socks In Their Shoes. This Milwaukee (Mke) Traveler Chose Inert Grenades
Verified Shakespeare Got It Right When He Said “All That Glitters Is Not Gold” And That’s Especially True For The Passenger Who Brought This Pepper Spray To The Security Checkpoint
If You’re Traveling With Your #batarang, Be Sure To Pack It In Your Checked Bat-Bag
While Knives Are Not Allowed In Carry-On Bags, They May Be Packed In Checked Bags. Stun Guns Must Also Be Packed In Checked Baggage
We Need To Talk About Your Flare. If You Want To Express Yourself, This Is The Wrong Kind Of Flare
We’re Not Kitten Around When We Say, Getting Caught With A Prohibited Item Will Slow Down The Screening Process
Verified If You Decide To Conceal A Knife In An Energy Drink Bottle, Be Sure To Consume The Contents. You Might Need The Extra Energy For Your 5-Hour Delay. Or Worse...
Don’t Pack Your Homemade Replica Suicide Vest
Travelers Should Make It A “Ritual” To Check Their Bags For Prohibited Items Before Leaving For The Airport
This Sword Was Discovered In A Traveler’s Carry-On Guitar Case
This Speargun Was Discovered Recently In A Houston (Hou) Traveler’s Carry-On Bag
So, If You Do Feel The Need To Arm Yourself Against A Giant Turkey, Please Place The Weapon In Your Checked Luggage
The Travelers Attempted To Intentionally Sneak An Item Which Had All The Makings Of An Improvised Explosive Device Through The Checkpoint And Film It For A TV Show
this show should 100% be fined for wasting TSA time and inconveniencing passengers.
While There Was Nothing Hidden Inside The Replica .50 Caliber Bullet, There Was A Sword Concealed Within The Cane
We Know It’s A Cutting Edge Tool, But It’ll Have To Go In Your Checked Bag
His Baby Was Found Concealed Under The Cushion Of A Car Seat
Firearms, Real Or Replica, Are Just Not Allowed Through The Security Checkpoint
While Today’s Post Is Sponsored By The Letter “F”, Were Going To Talk About The Novelty Bomb That’s Attached To It
All Knives, No Matter Their Size, Are Prohibited From Being Brought Onto An Aircraft With Your Carry-On Items
Loaded Pistol Was Discovered At A Tsa Security Checkpoint
Actually a very effective way to get someone you hate locked away for a bit, just throw a loaded gun in his/her carry on bag when they aren't looking.
Don’t Over Stuff Your Luggage…especially With An Empty Magazine, Knife, And C4. Our Officer’s May Suspect Fowl Play!
Verified A Newark (Ewr) Traveler Attempted To Take Their Hoe On The Plane
A Traveler Had Some Military Collectables And Wasn’t Sure How To Travel With Them. When Told To Wait For A Tsa Explosives Specialist, He Simply Wanted To Throw Them In The Trash
This Pint-Sized Revolver Was Discovered In A Carry-On Bag
Verified This May Be The Closest Thing To The Glaive That Our Officers Have Ever Discovered
This Double-Feature Of Replica Guns And Sword Should Not Be Walking The Red Carpet In A Carry-On Bag
If You Need To Travel With Your Machete, You’ll Have To Pack It In Your Checked Bags
Self-Defense Spray (Pepper Spray Or Mace) Isn't Allowed In Carry-On Bags…like Ever, Ever!
Verified If You Pack Your Super Spooky Skull-Adorned Zombie Killer In Your Carry-On Bag, Your Trip Through Our Checkpoint Might Unravel
What’s A 10 Letter Word For This Cross-Sword Picture? P-R-O-H-I-B-I-T-E-D
Knives Can Take A Variety Of Shapes And Forms Depending On Their Intended Function
Verified Nothings Screams Romance Like A Personalized Axe Or Hatchet On Your Wedding Day!
Fireworks Are Still Not Allowed - At All - In Carry-On Or Checked Begs, Yet Some Travelers Still Pack Them
This Knife Was Discovered Recently Concealed Inside A Package Of Cotton Swabs
Verified This Passenger Must Have Thought He Had The Moooooves…to Try To Go Through Airport Security With This Dagger In His Carry-On Luggage
I was expecting to see a cow-print handle or something 🤔 must be referencing that god-awful (IMHO of course) Moves Like Jagger song
Firearms, Ammunition And Firearm Parts, Including Magazines, Clips, Bolts And Firing Pins, Are Never Allowed In Carry-On Bags
Straight Razors Or Safety Razors Must Be Packed In Checked Luggage
This Gun Shaped Toilet Paper Holder
Verified This Is The Closest Christmas-Themed Firearm I Could Find. A Green Handle, And Red Jingle-Shells
Verified If You Get Teased And End Up In A Tangle, This Knife Would Make Your Assailer’s Hair Stand On End
Some Might Say That This Sword Cane Is Off The Leash. We Say It’s Prohibited
This Knuckle Umbrella Was No Match For Our Officers
That is not a weapon, some of these umbrellas are designed for people with difficulties to grab or grasp things, you can see the soft textile used for comfort in the pic.
i am still amazed at just how either dumb or unaware people can be.
Anyone who complains about having to wait in line while TSA agents check carry-on bags should look at these photos!
I see a lot of these as collectibles, antiques or parts of costumes for Comicon style conventions. I can understand that some people don't trust them in the luggage compartment or worry about them being stolen by baggage handlers, but there are other ways of getting them to your destination without violating air travel guidelines.
I dunno which I'd be sadder about losing, the knife or the enchilada.
TSA failed 98% of their own internal security test/checks. I had a 3 inch knife in the side pocket of my carry on back-pack. I'd forgotten it was there from a camping trip. I flew across the country and back, going through TSA security twice and all they did was take my cardboard tube of Pringles chips and swab it for explosive chemicals.... they found none.
The live animal ones and some of the weapons ones disturbed me the most. With some of the weapons, I can see how some of them are antiques or something like that, but as for the rest..... scary af. And the live animals... I hate animal abusers with a burning passion, I'm not going to get started, but those people who tried to smuggle in animals by tossing them in suitcases need to go to prison for a long time
This reminds me: at the Ohio Renaissance Fest I once saw two attendees wearing their traditional Renaissance-era armor (which is common for that event) AND some high quality Klingon masks and wigs (I mean convention-level cosplay stuff), that went quite nicely with the armor. I wanted to get these guys Klingon Bat'leths and tell them to storm a German castle!
Lol my sister had to bring her fish on a plane in a small cup it was allowed just... that fish must have been very traumatized... Eh, it'll forget in a year! XD
Around 1987, I got a job at the airport at one of the food marts. Heard you could make more money being a baggae inspector. So, I got that job. I got perhaps 4 hours training. It was a long time ago, but couldn't have been more than 8. I felt like an idiot watching the x-ray machine. I KNEW that I didn't know what I was doing. The manager basically told me I was trash for having long bans. And between wall that, I quite afrer one week. Would you rather have someone who doesn't care that they don't know what they're doing and feel badly that they might let some bomber through, or someone who doesn't care they would let a bomber through? It was a joke. I sure hope they give them more training (and pay) now.
It's amazing that so many people think they can get away with this kind of thing
I hate knives (the really sharp kind), but I understand that some people like to collect the more ornamental ones. Why do they smuggle plain old knives though? Couldn't they buy a knife at their destination? I'm not trying to be a smart a**, would just like to know what I'm missing.
I work in airport. Staff also gets searched. Sometimes I am taking chocolates through security. They usually try to "confiscate" my chocolates as a joke. I decided once to hide it. Once it went through x-ray they saw them, even read the name of the package. That day I found out that they see everything, even gigantic butt-plug you hide in your luggage (yes they have seen that!).
I once saw a man trying to take a microwave as carry on at Cairo international. Not in a box, not new, a crusty old microwave with its cord dangling along the ground behind him. That place was wild!
Strangest TSA experience was flying to St Louis with half a dozen bins filled with puppets.
This is nice PR for the TSA, but they've also missed a ton of really dangerous stuff. The agency is a joke.
All in all they try but think about having to deal with moronic public 8 hours a day ugh. I used to travel a bunch and seriously some people have serious attitude issues. Come on plane with nasty pillows, dirty smelly feet, overstuffed carry on, feed bags of fast food, disheveled filthy clothing and sprawl out like they bought 2 or 3 seats.
Load More Replies...Wow, that is insane what people will try and bring in. Pretty scary stuff. My hubby had a bullet key ring that was confiscated at the airport. Firstly it was a key ring and secondly we weren’t even catching a flight, we were meeting my mum.
i am still amazed at just how either dumb or unaware people can be.
Anyone who complains about having to wait in line while TSA agents check carry-on bags should look at these photos!
I see a lot of these as collectibles, antiques or parts of costumes for Comicon style conventions. I can understand that some people don't trust them in the luggage compartment or worry about them being stolen by baggage handlers, but there are other ways of getting them to your destination without violating air travel guidelines.
I dunno which I'd be sadder about losing, the knife or the enchilada.
TSA failed 98% of their own internal security test/checks. I had a 3 inch knife in the side pocket of my carry on back-pack. I'd forgotten it was there from a camping trip. I flew across the country and back, going through TSA security twice and all they did was take my cardboard tube of Pringles chips and swab it for explosive chemicals.... they found none.
The live animal ones and some of the weapons ones disturbed me the most. With some of the weapons, I can see how some of them are antiques or something like that, but as for the rest..... scary af. And the live animals... I hate animal abusers with a burning passion, I'm not going to get started, but those people who tried to smuggle in animals by tossing them in suitcases need to go to prison for a long time
This reminds me: at the Ohio Renaissance Fest I once saw two attendees wearing their traditional Renaissance-era armor (which is common for that event) AND some high quality Klingon masks and wigs (I mean convention-level cosplay stuff), that went quite nicely with the armor. I wanted to get these guys Klingon Bat'leths and tell them to storm a German castle!
Lol my sister had to bring her fish on a plane in a small cup it was allowed just... that fish must have been very traumatized... Eh, it'll forget in a year! XD
Around 1987, I got a job at the airport at one of the food marts. Heard you could make more money being a baggae inspector. So, I got that job. I got perhaps 4 hours training. It was a long time ago, but couldn't have been more than 8. I felt like an idiot watching the x-ray machine. I KNEW that I didn't know what I was doing. The manager basically told me I was trash for having long bans. And between wall that, I quite afrer one week. Would you rather have someone who doesn't care that they don't know what they're doing and feel badly that they might let some bomber through, or someone who doesn't care they would let a bomber through? It was a joke. I sure hope they give them more training (and pay) now.
It's amazing that so many people think they can get away with this kind of thing
I hate knives (the really sharp kind), but I understand that some people like to collect the more ornamental ones. Why do they smuggle plain old knives though? Couldn't they buy a knife at their destination? I'm not trying to be a smart a**, would just like to know what I'm missing.
I work in airport. Staff also gets searched. Sometimes I am taking chocolates through security. They usually try to "confiscate" my chocolates as a joke. I decided once to hide it. Once it went through x-ray they saw them, even read the name of the package. That day I found out that they see everything, even gigantic butt-plug you hide in your luggage (yes they have seen that!).
I once saw a man trying to take a microwave as carry on at Cairo international. Not in a box, not new, a crusty old microwave with its cord dangling along the ground behind him. That place was wild!
Strangest TSA experience was flying to St Louis with half a dozen bins filled with puppets.
This is nice PR for the TSA, but they've also missed a ton of really dangerous stuff. The agency is a joke.
All in all they try but think about having to deal with moronic public 8 hours a day ugh. I used to travel a bunch and seriously some people have serious attitude issues. Come on plane with nasty pillows, dirty smelly feet, overstuffed carry on, feed bags of fast food, disheveled filthy clothing and sprawl out like they bought 2 or 3 seats.
Load More Replies...Wow, that is insane what people will try and bring in. Pretty scary stuff. My hubby had a bullet key ring that was confiscated at the airport. Firstly it was a key ring and secondly we weren’t even catching a flight, we were meeting my mum.