The Transportation Security Administration safeguards the skies, ensuring the safety of millions of passengers every day. With over 2 million travelers and 5 million carry-on items screened daily across nearly 440 U.S. airports, it’s no surprise that the TSA uncovers some genuinely bizarre and unconventional items, from harmless novelties to dangerous contraband. The agency releases an annual list of these discoveries — so here’s a look at some of the most unusual items the TSA has found in recent years.
Souvenir Grenade
A passenger at Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport learned the hard way that even replica or inert weapons are not permitted in commercial airline cabins. The grenade was discovered in 2022 by TSA agents during a routine X-ray screening. The owner explained he purchased the item as a souvenir for his son. Despite being nonfunctional, the grenade was confiscated, and the owner received a citation.
Guitar Case of Cattle Prods
In 2022, TSA agents at Washington Dulles International Airport found unexpected items inside a guitar case: cattle prods. While cattle prods are allowed in checked luggage, they’re strictly prohibited in carry-on bags due to the safety risk. Interestingly, this wasn’t the first run-in with cattle prods at Dulles — a single cattle prod was found earlier that year in a different passenger’s carry-on luggage.
Human-Sized Teddy Bear
Not all TSA confiscations are dangerous items — some are simply too big. In 2016, TSA agents at Los Angeles International Airport denied entry to a human-sized teddy bear. The bear wasn’t a security threat, but its sheer size posed an issue, as it would’ve required its own seat on the airplane. The TSA advises passengers to consider the size of their items — everything must fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.
Firearm Concealed Inside Raw Chicken
Interestingly, carrying a raw chicken through a security checkpoint isn’t even the most alarming part of this 2022 incident. In a bizarre attempt to smuggle a weapon through airport security, a passenger at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida tried to hide a small firearm inside a raw chicken. While the chicken itself raised eyebrows, the real concern was the firearm, which posed a serious safety risk. Carrying firearms through security checkpoints is prohibited, and violators can face hefty fines and other legal consequences.
Naruto Throwing Knives
Naruto anime toys and comics are allowed on airplanes, but throwing knives certainly are not. A passenger tried to bring a collection of Naruto-themed knives through a TSA checkpoint at Boston Logan International Airport in 2023. This novelty collection would have been allowed in checked luggage, but weapons of any kind — no matter how artistic the design — are strictly forbidden in carry-on luggage. An exception to this rule is round-bladed butter knives, which are permitted in carry-on bags as an eating utensil.
Live Eels
At Miami International Airport, TSA agents once thwarted an elaborate plan to smuggle live marine animals from the U.S. to Venezuela. Among the contents of the passenger’s checked luggage were 163 marine tropical fish and 22 invertebrates, including a bag of live eels. The passenger surrendered all animals to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. However, passengers are permitted to take pet fish in carry-on luggage as long as they are in a clear plastic container filled with water.
Illegal Drugs in Crab Boil Seasoning
Passengers can bring sealed food containers on planes, but the TSA checks food for illegal substances, even if they seem factory-sealed. At Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in 2023, a container of crab boil seasoning, which appeared to be factory-sealed, was found to contain a pound of methamphetamine upon further examination. The passenger was arrested and faced federal drug charges.
Samurai Swords
Despite warnings against bringing weapons as carry-on items, some passengers persist. In 2020, one determined passenger at California’s San Jose International Airport went so far as to bring a set of three samurai swords in various sizes through a security checkpoint, where they were quickly confiscated. Head to the TSA’s website to check if your questionably shaped novelty items are allowed in-cabin, as guidelines are very specific. For example, Harry Potter-themed wands and lightsabers are permitted, but foam toy swords are not.
Pet Snake
In 2019, a Newark Liberty International Airport passenger forgot their pet snake at a security checkpoint. It was later found by a young traveler who noticed the 15-inch ring-necked snake slithering across the terminal floor. While this particular species is harmless, it was an alarming sight for unknowing travelers. When it comes to taking snakes on a plane, the TSA says that it’s ultimately up to the airline to make the call — airlines set guidelines for all in-cabin pets, including dogs, cats, and other small animals.
Moose Excrement
Alaskans are no strangers to moose, but TSA agents probably never expected to find a bag full of moose feces in a passenger’s bag at Juneau International Airport. The passenger explained he collected moose droppings to give to politicians whose policies he disagreed with. Though the item is one of the most bizarre TSA findings to date, the agency deemed it nonthreatening, and the passenger was sent along with his bag of droppings in hand. However, the TSA released a statement along with the story, urging passengers to think twice before bringing odorous items on flights.
Featured Stories
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
