Week in Review: Lipstick Knife & Lost and Found - And a few other tidbits...

Stock Photo of Lipstick Knife

It was business as usual at the checkpoints again this past week.

A passenger at MCO gave us a good example of something you should never say during screening: "You better check me close. I am about to blow." After finishing screening, the passenger's airline denied them boarding and removed their bag from the plane. The passenger was permitted to rebook with a different airline.

In addition to all of the loaded guns we found, (listed below) we also found a lot of other prohibited items around the nation to include gun parts, ammunition, stun guns, mace, throwing stars, throwing knives, switchblades, butterfly knives, kitchen knives etc. In one instance at MDW, one of our officers found a lipstick knife. Paging 007... AT RSW, a passenger went as far as to conceal two knives in the handles of their carry-on bag. In yet another instance at SFO, a knife was found detected under the sole of a passenger's shoe. One could say they were walking on a knife's edge.

Our officers found a couple of other notable things this past week, but they weren't prohibited. A passenger at EWR was relieved after answering a page on the public address system. He had left his wrist watch and a wallet containing $405.00 in cash at the checkpoint. An alert team of TSA officers had found his belongings and worked with the airport to page him so that he could come back to retrieve his belongings. Another passenger who had just traveled through ROC was taxiing to the runway when she noticed that her two-carat diamond had fallen out of her ring. After a series of phone calls, officers at ROC located the diamond on the floor at the checkpoint and it was eventually returned to a very happy passenger.

Our officers found 21 loaded firearms since I posted last Friday. (Not counting the unloaded and replica firearms we found). Here is a rundown:

• 10-7: TSA Officer at IAH detects a loaded 9mm pistol with a round in the chamber.
• 10-7: TSA Officer at LBB detects a loaded .380 pistol.
• 10-7: TSA Officer at SAT detects a loaded .380 pistol with a round in the chamber.
• 10-8 TSA Officer at MOB detects a loaded .32 pistol with a round in the chamber.
• 10-8 TSA Officer at AUS detects a loaded .380 pistol.
• 10-8 TSA Officer at SEA detects a loaded .357 pistol. (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
• 10-9: TSA Officer at PHF detects a loaded .22 pistol.
• 10-9: TSA Officer at STL detects a loaded .22 pistol with a round in the chamber.
• 10-9: TSA Officer at MSY detects a loaded 9mm pistol.
• 10-10: TSA Officer at MCO detects a loaded .380 pistol.
• 10-10: TSA Officer at SLC detects a loaded 9mm pistol with a round in the chamber. (ABC4)
• 10-10: TSA Officer at SAT detects a loaded 9mm pistol.
• 10-11: TSA Officer at DEN detects a loaded .22 with a round in the chamber.
• 10-12: TSA Officer at GSO detects a loaded 9mm pistol with a round in the chamber.
• 10-12: TSA Officer at MSY detects a loaded .22 pistol.
• 10-12: TSA Officer at HOU detects a loaded .380 pistol with a round in the chamber.
• 10-12: TSA Officer at GRR detects a loaded .22 pistol.
• 10-13: TSA Officer at ANC detects a loaded .380 pistol.
• 10-13: TSA Officer at IND detects a loaded 9mm pistol.
• 10-13: TSA Officer at PHX detects a loaded .357 pistol.
• 10-13: TSA Officer at SAT detects a loaded 9mm pistol with a round in the chamber.
• 10-13: TSA Officer at MIA detects a loaded firearm of unknown caliber.

Unless you're a law enforcement officer or Federal Flight Deck Officer who is able to fly with a firearm in the cabin of the aircraft, your firearm (s) must be declared to the airline and checked in your luggage. You can go here for more details.

Just because we find a firearm on an individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law enforcement officer to decide. And just so you know, we also look for explosives and bomb components as well, but thankfully those are extremely rare and we're happy to keep it that way.

Blogger Bob
TSA Blog Team

If you’d like to comment on an unrelated topic you can do so in our Off Topic Comments post. You can also view our blog post archives or search our blog to find a related topic to comment in. If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact a Customer Support Manager at the airport you traveled, or will be traveling through by using Talk to TSA.

Week In Review: Loaded Guns and a Good Samaritan

I just wanted to put up a quick little post highlighting a few things that have happened over the past week that we haven't blogged or tweeted about. Until now that is...

Every day, TSA officers work at more than 450 airports nationwide to keep you safe when you fly. So far this week, our officers have discovered 10 loaded firearms in carry-on bags at security checkpoints across the nation. In addition to these loaded weapons that we've kept off of airplanes, there were also unloaded firearms, loose ammunition, and firearm parts detected that aren't mentioned in this post. And of course, a host of other prohibited items such as hazmat, knives, etc. that we kept off of planes.

Here is a quick run-down of weapons detected and kept off planes this week:

• 10-2: TSA Officer at PBI detects a loaded .380 caliber pistol
• 10-2: TSA Officer at PIT detects a loaded .22 caliber pistol
• 10-3: TSA Officer at PDX detects a loaded .45 caliber pistol with round in chamber
• 10-4: TSA Officer at GCC detects a loaded .40 caliber pistol
• 10-4: TSA Officer at SLC detects a loaded .380 caliber pistol (USA Today)
• 10-5: TSA Officer at PHL detects a loaded .32 caliber pistol
• 10-5: TSA Officer at DAB detects a loaded 9mm pistol
• 10-5: TSA Officer at SEA-TAC detects a loaded .380 caliber pistol with round in chamber. (Seattle Times)
• 10-6: TSA Officer at DEN detects a loaded pistol with round in chamber
• 10-6: TSA Officer at MSY detects a loaded .38 caliber pistol

The most popular explanation we get when we find a gun is "I forgot it was in my bag." Once a firearm is discovered, TSA takes a step back and law enforcement takes over. Depending on local laws, you could be fined or even arrested. As a gun owner myself, I’ve been around guns as long as I can remember and I think it's crucial to know where your firearm is at all times. So… check those bags before you leave home. TSA encourages all passengers traveling with weapons to take the proper precautions when traveling with a firearm. Unless you're one of the few who are able to fly with a firearm in the cabin of the aircraft, your firearm (s) must be declared to the airline and checked in your luggage. You can go here for more details. 

In the news... Our officers made a shocking discovery at Dulles when they detected a stun gun in a passenger's carry-on bag. JFK officers discovered brass knuckles, stun guns, and a sword in a passenger's bag. And last but not least, one of our officers at SYR played the role of a Good Samaritan when she went above and beyond to help a passenger get her cell phone back. 

And as an added bonus, a 6" meat cleaver was found concealed inside the lining of a passenger's carry-on bag at SLC. The passenger stated she didn't put it there. 

See you next week! 

Blogger Bob

TSA Blog Team 

If you’d like to comment on an unrelated topic you can do so in our Off Topic Comments post. You can also view our blog post archives or search our blog to find a related topic to comment in. If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact a Customer Support Manager at the airport you traveled, or will be traveling through by using Talk to TSA.

LAX TSA Officers Go Fishing?

(Image Not of Passenger’s Luggage) laszlo-photo

Our baggage officers at LAX must have been using the Fishin’ Magician yesterday.  They observed a fishy image after an explosives detection system  alarmed. After going into the luggage, they found live fish swimming around in a bag. You might say they were “packed like sardines.” 

Here is the kicker: The passenger didn’t have a little baggie with a goldfish in it, they had 4 large hard-sided suitcases each filled with only fish and water. In all, there were nearly 240 fish of all types and sizes.

The passenger bought the fish at a local pet store and was taking them home. The airline would not allow him to transport the fish via checked luggage, but they did allow him to ship them properly via cargo. One might say the passenger was “schooled”  on how to properly fly with fish. I’m guessing things went swimmingly for the fish from that point forward?  If you’re traveling with any type of live critter, (other than your kids) be sure to contact your airline to see what their policies are. 

Blogger Bob

TSA Blog Team 

If you’d like to comment on an unrelated topic you can do so in our Off Topic Comments post. You can also view our blog post archives or search our blog to find a related topic to comment in. If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact a Customer Support Manager at the airport you traveled, or will be traveling through by using Talk to TSA.

Good Catch! Sword Canes to Reptiles…

Sword Cane Found at ROC

No, this post isn’t about what we’ve caught with the “Fishin’ Magician,” it’s about the  "Good Catch" page over at TSA.gov!  Since March of this year, we’ve been posting some interesting catches and I wanted to share them with our blog readers. There are currently nine “Good Catch” articles available for your reading pleasure ranging from a sword cane to artfully concealed reptiles.  Be sure to check them out and visit frequently for updates! 

Speaking of good catches, did you know that our officers have found 725 firearms in carry-on luggage since January of 2011? And it’s still only September! Most people say they simply forgot the gun was in their bag, but I remember a few years ago at CVG when a passenger went as far as to blame his mother for putting the loaded pistol in his backpack.  Stay classy…

Blogger Bob

TSA Blog Team

If you’d like to comment on an unrelated topic you can do so in our Off Topic Comments post. You can also view our blog post archives or search our blog to find a related topic to comment in. If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact a Customer Support Manager at the airport you traveled, or will be traveling through by using Talk to TSA.

Snakes On A Plane! And Turtles & Birds, Oh My!!! Almost...

Coiled Snake In Hand

From the “Crazy Things People Take On Planes” files, here are some new additions involving snakes, turtles, and birds.

The first incident occurred at the Miami International Airport (MIA) and involved a gentleman with seven small snakes in his pants. (Insert inappropriate joke here) He also had three small turtles (Insert more jokes here) and they were all stored in lady’s hosiery in the man’s trousers. The snakes and turtles were found using TSA’s imaging technology which allows TSA officers to find potential threat items concealed from plain sight. U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers arrived on the scene and took custody of the reptiles. The passenger was arrested on the federal charge of “harboring reptiles in an unnatural habitat.” I made that up… the individual was actually charged with violating the Lacey Act.

Freed From The Sock

The second incident occurred at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when two birds were discovered during a pat-down that was being administered due to bulky clothing. They were wrapped in socks and taped to the leg and chest of a woman who was traveling to China. U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers arrested the woman on suspicion of smuggling and exporting an endangered species out of the United States.

TSA’s mission of course is not to find artfully concealed wildlife, but items taped to a passenger’s body could very well be explosives or some other dangerous prohibited item. We just don’t know until we check it out. Threats concealed under a person’s clothes remain a concern and this discovery, threat or no threat, once again demonstrates the effectiveness of TSA’s security techniques.

Snakes & Turtles In Hosiery

Released From The Hosiery

Birds Taped In Socks 

Imagine the chaos that would ensue if a marmot were concealed in a pair of trousers? Kudos to the officers at LAX & MIA!

Blogger Bob

TSA Blog Team

If you’d like to comment on an unrelated topic you can do so in our Off Topic Comments post. You can also view our blog post archives or search our blog to find a related topic to comment in. If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact a Customer Support Manager at the airport you traveled, or will be traveling through by using Talk to TSA.

C4 Explosive Found In Passenger’s Checked Luggage

ETD Machine

A passenger flying out of Yuma International Airport was arrested after a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) searched his bag in response to an Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) test that came back positive. One-half ounce of C4 explosive was found in his checked bag, concealed in a tobacco can. 

ETD machines can detect the smallest amounts of explosives and have been in use since TSA rolled out in 2002. They are used in checkpoint, checked baggage, and cargo environments. We swab things such as laptops, shoes, film, cell phones, bags, wheelchairs, hands, casts, etc. Basically, our officers run the white swab over an area  to collect a trace sample. They then place the swab in the ETD machinery which analyzes the sample for extremely small traces of explosives. The test takes a matter of seconds.

Great job TSA Yuma!

Blogger Bob

TSA Blog Team

If you’d like to comment on an unrelated topic you can do so in our Off Topic Comments post. You can also view our blog post archives or search our blog to find a related topic to comment in. If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact a Customer Support Manager at the airport you traveled, or will be traveling through by using Talk to TSA. 

Behavior Detection Officers Lead to Arrest in Orlando

(UPDATE 04/02/2008: Read the updated story. )

You might have seen on the news or the web today that Behavior Detection Officers at Orlando International Airport spotted a passenger in the airport lobby, well before the screening checkpoint, who was behaving suspiciously. Because of the passenger's highly irregular behavior, the officers ensured he was under surveillance as he moved through the airport, and requested that his checked bags immediately be searched.

As a result of the bag search, a variety of suspicious items were found. (Since the FBI is leading the investigation, we're not saying exactly what these items are although there is speculation in the press and on the web). The individual was taken into custody by Orlando Police and the FBI is now questioning him. If you’ve been watching the news, you’ve probably seen the bomb squad removing the passenger's clothing curbside to ensure he did not pose a threat.

Since the passenger was stopped before he could get to the checkpoint, checkpoint operations were not affected and flights continued to take off and land. A perimeter was established in Terminal A while the bomb squad did their work.

This is an excellent example of the layers of security in action throughout the airport. This is also a good example of using specially trained Behavior Detection Officers to look for people with hostile intent as well as the items they intend to use. It's a further testament that the behavior detection program works (yes, I'm partial...).

For the official TSA statement, click here.

Thanks,

Bob

TSA EoS Blog Team