TSA Week in Review: Portland Passenger Puts Pistol in Potted Plant

Due the upcoming holiday, this Week in Review covers June 22^nd through June 27^th. 

Items in the Strangest Places - It’s one thing to forget you had a prohibited item in your bag, but when you intentionally try to sneak it past us, you could wind up being cited or even arrested by law enforcement. Here are a few examples from this week where passengers tried to sneak items past our Officers.

• A passenger at Portland (PDX) remembered they had a loaded .22 caliber pistol in their carry-on bag prior to going through the checkpoint. After speaking with a TSO, they were directed to the baggage counter where they could declare the firearm and check it as luggage. Well, a few moments later, he was spotted by our Behavior Detection Officers placing the gun in a potted plant and walking back toward the checkpoint. Needless to say, he was arrested by local law enforcement before reaching the checkpoint. 
• A passenger at Tampa (TPA) tried to conceal a knife by placing it inside a sock stuffed into an envelope with dolls. 
• A passenger at Greensville/Spartanburg (GSP) had a knife concealed in a can of loose tobacco.

Passenger Divests Grenade – A passenger at Las Vegas (LAS) truly didn’t know that grenades were a problem because they placed it in a divesture bowl out in the open for all to see. The passenger stated that he uses the item as a paper weight. Another passenger at Newark (EWR) had a novelty grenade torch lighter in their checked baggage. While I know that inert grenades are cool conversation pieces and make great paperweights, read here and here on why inert items cause problems at checkpoints. We don’t know they’re inert until we check them out and checking them out can often inconvenience your fellow passengers.

Body Scanner Discoveries This Week – There were a total of 9 illegal/prohibited items discovered this week with the body scanners at: HTS, OGG, MLI, PBI, FAT, 3 at SFO, and ATL. Among these finds was a passenger at Moline (MLI) who had a 4” knife concealed in his sock.

Stun Guns – 7 stun guns were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints around the nation at: BNA, 2 at SFO, ATL, HSV, JAX, PHL

People Say the Darndest Things – Here is an example of what not to say at the airport. Statements like these not only delay the people who said them but can also inconvenience lots of other passengers if the checkpoint or terminal has to be evacuated:

• During a bag search at Baltimore (BWI), a passenger stated: “I have a bomb in my bag.”
• During checkpoint screening at Orlando (MCO), a passenger stated: “I have a bomb in my shoe.”

Miscellaneous Prohibited Items - In addition to all of the other prohibited items we find weekly, our Officers also found firearm components, realistic replica firearms, stun guns, brass knuckles, ammunition, batons, and oodles of knives.

Firearms - Here are the firearms our Officers found in carry-on baggage since I posted last Friday.

You can travel with your firearms in checked baggage, but they must first be declared to the airline. You can go here for more details on how to properly travel with your firearms. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure. 

Unfortunately these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is why we talk about these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are finding, but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the throughput is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had these items.

Blogger Bob Burns

TSA Blog Team

If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact us by clicking here.

Traveling with Crematory Remains

The subject of traveling with crematory remains has been in the news recently. As part of our standard operating procedures, TSA has a clear process for screening crematory remains. Our Officers routinely conduct these types of screenings throughout our nation’s airports.

Passengers may transport crematory remains as part of their carry-on property or checked baggage. Some airlines do not allow crematory remains as checked baggage, so check with your airline first.

If carrying on the crematory remains, they are subject to screening and must pass through the X-ray machine. If the X-ray Operator cannot clear the remains, TSA may apply other, non-intrusive means of resolving the alarm. Under no circumstances will an officer open the container, even if the passenger requests this be done. If the officer cannot determine that the container does not contain a prohibited item, the remains will not be permitted.

We understand the emotional stress passengers may be under when transporting the remains of a loved one.   Our guidelines for traveling with crematory remains  is not intended to make this already emotionally difficult process more complex than needed. However, crematory remains are one of the many sensitive items that could be exploited by someone wanting to conceal a dangerous item.

If you have questions, concerns or would like to provide feedback, please feel free to contact the TSA Contact Center, 1-866-289-9673 or use the Talk to TSA feature on our website.

July 4th Travel Reminder

Ah… the 4^th of July is almost here. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be at home on my deck grilling brats, metts, and other assorted meats, but I’m sure some of you will be traveling. If that’s the case, here are a couple of pointers for you.

1. Be sure to check out our summer travel tips for information on traveling through TSA checkpoints.
2. This is your annual reminder to be sure to leave your fireworks at home and not take them on the plane. Be sure your children understand this as well... It’s an FAA violation that will get your travel plans off to a bad start.

Below are pictures of fireworks that have been found at TSA checkpoints.

Have a great holiday weekend and stay safe and be sure to check out USA.gov’s Fourth of July page for all sorts of safety tips and cool information about Independence Day. Don’t let this be you. 

Blogger Bob Burns

TSA Blog Team

 

If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact us by clicking here.

TSA Week in Review: Bazooka Round Discovered in Bag at DFW

Bazooka Round: After an alarm on checked baggage at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), TSA Officers discovered an old military bazooka round. Not knowing if this was live or inert, Law Enforcement Officers established a 100-foot perimeter around the item and evacuated the baggage area and terminals near the  item. An explosive ordinance disposal team put the item in a containment box and moved it to a remote location where they deemed the item inert. After all was said and done, 5 flights were delayed 1 hour, 23 minutes, affecting an unknown number of passengers. This is why we highly encourage people to contact us before flying with items such as this before they get to the airport, so they don’t inconvenience themselves and others. On a related note, do you know how the bazooka got its name? It was named after it’s resemblance to a novelty instrument played by 1930’s  era comedian Bob Burns.

IED Training Aid Discovered at Norfolk – An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) training aid was discovered in a passenger’s checked baggage at Norfolk (ORF). As I’ve said before, we’re all too familiar with instructors and other people in this type of business needing these types of items for their jobs, but as with all inert training items and replicas, we don’t know they’re not real until we’ve gone through all the motions. These motions can include evacuated baggage areas and closed checkpoints which lead to delays and missed flights. People that need to travel with INERT items should plan ahead and contact their preferred shipper about mailing the training aids to their destination.

Holy Bat Stars, Batman – These bat stars are exactly what you would need in your arsenal when fighting diabolical crime, however, they’re not OK to take on a plane. These were found at San Diego (SAN). Throwing stars were also discovered at AUS, DCA, and SEA and throwing knives were discovered at LAX.

Eau de Kaboom – A bottle of cologne in the shape of a grenade was discovered in a passenger’s carry-on bag at San Diego (SAN). On the X-ray, it looked like a regular hand grenade, so it took time to clear.  In addition, two training grenades were discovered after an alarm in checked baggage at Norfolk (ORF). The passenger at ORF also had 4 magazines loaded with 120 .223 rounds. And if that’s not enough, two other inert grenades were discovered in a carry-on bag at Savannah (SAV). Read here and here  for more information on why inert items cause problems at checkpoints. We don’t know they’re inert until we check them out and checking them out can often inconvenience your fellow passengers.

Body Scanner Discoveries This Week – There were a total of 13 illegal and prohibited items discovered this week with the body scanners at AVP, EWR, BTV, 2 for OGG, SEA, FAI, PHX, 3 for SFO, SMF, and BDL. Among the items were drugs and drug paraphernalia, but one of the passengers was loaded for bear!!! After alarming the body scanner, a large can of bear mace was found concealed in the passenger’s sock at Newark (EWR). Finding these types of items in areas where explosives could also be hidden is a testament that the technology works.  

Items in the Strangest Places - It’s one thing to forget you had a prohibited item in your bag, but when you intentionally try to sneak it past us, you could wind up being cited or even arrested by law enforcement. Here are a few examples from this week where passengers tried to sneak items past our Officers.

• A knife was discovered wrapped in a towel and concealed in a water bottle at Denver (DEN). The passenger admitted they were trying to sneak it past our officers.
• Two cane swords were discovered at Las Vegas (LAS).
• A knife was found concealed inside a hollowed out book at Kahului (OGG).
• Marijuana was discovered taped inside of a book after a checked baggage alarm at Philadelphia (PHL).
• Brass knuckles were discovered concealed under multiple rolls of quarters in a gift box at Philadelphia (PHL). The passenger admitted they were trying to sneak it past our officers.

Stun Guns – 6 stun guns were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints around the nation at: SFO, ORF, DEN, MSP, RIC, and LAX.

People Say the Darndest Things – Here is an example of what not to say at the airport. Statements like these not only delay the people who said them but can also inconvenience lots of other passengers if the checkpoint or terminal has to be evacuated:

A passenger at Kansas City (KCI) who was frustrated after being on standby stated: “I’m going to go get a gun and shoot everybody if I don’t make this flight.”

Stolen Laptop in Tampa Recovered in New York – After reporting her laptop missing, TSA at Tampa (TPA) reviewed the checkpoint video footage and observed a passenger taking the laptop and placing it in their bag. Thanks to the footage, a description was provided and the thief’s flight was met at LaGuardia by NY Port Authority Police and TSA. The passenger confessed and the laptop was eventually returned to its rightful owner.

Miscellaneous Prohibited Items - In addition to all of the other prohibited items we find weekly, our Officers also found firearm components, realistic replica firearms, stun guns, brass knuckles, ammunition, batons, and oodles of knives.

Firearms - Here are the firearms our Officers found in carry-on baggage since I posted last Friday.

You can travel with your firearms in checked baggage, but they must first be declared to the airline. You can go here for more details on how to properly travel with your firearms. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure. 

Unfortunately these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is why we talk about these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are finding, but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the throughput is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had these items.

Blogger Bob Burns

TSA Blog Team

If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact us by clicking here.

TSA Week in Review: Live Blasting Cap Discovered in Carry-on Bag at Redmond

Live Blasting Cap – A live blasting cap was discovered in a passenger’s carry-on bag at Redmond (RDM). If you’re not familiar with blasting caps, they are actually a small explosive charge that sets off a larger explosive charge. It’s one of the components of a bomb that our officers are trained to look for. The passenger was arrested by local law enforcement.

 Cell Phone Stun Gun – A stun gun made to look like a cell phone was discovered at Indianapolis (IND). 10 other stun guns were discovered at checkpoints around the nation at: BUR, BWI, CAK, 2 at DEN, GSP, HRL, SAN, and 2 at SFO.

Body Scanner Discoveries This Week – There were a total of 9 illegal and prohibited items discovered this week with the body scanners at BNA, DRO, EWR, HNL, LAX, LIH, PBI, SEA, and SMF. Among the items were a tube of toothpaste stuffed in a passenger’s waistband and drugs. Finding these types of items in areas where explosives could also be hidden is a testament that the technology works. 

Walking on a Razor’s Edge - A razor blade was found concealed in the sole of a shoe at LaGuardia (LGA).

People Say the Darndest Things – Here is an example of what not to say at the airport. Statements like these not only delay the people who said them but can also inconvenience lots of other passengers if the checkpoint has to be evacuated:

After missing a flight at Denver (DEN), a passenger told the gate agent: “I am going to blow up Southwest Airlines!”

While and officer was explaining the pat-down procedure to a passenger at Birmingham (BHM), she stated: “ I very well could have two bombs in my breasts.” When a supervisor arrived to speak with the passenger, she told them the same thing.

Miscellaneous Prohibited Items - In addition to all of the other prohibited items we find weekly, our Officers also found firearm components, realistic replica firearms, stun guns, brass knuckles, ammunition, batons, and oodles of knives.

Firearms - Here are the firearms our Officers found in carry-on baggage since I posted last Friday.

You can travel with your firearms in checked baggage, but they must first be declared to the airline. You can go here for more details on how to properly travel with your firearms. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure. 

Unfortunately these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is why we talk about these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are finding, but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the throughput is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had these items.

Blogger Bob Burns

TSA Blog Team

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.

TSA Pre✓™ Expands at LaGuardia Airport to Include American Airlines

As promised, TSA Pre✓™ keeps on keeping on! Its latest addition is in the Big Apple at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). TSA Pre✓™ has been in place at LGA since April with Delta flyers, but as of today, it’s now available for American Airlines flyers!

In case you’re wondering what TSA Pre✓™ is, you can go here to read all about it. Long story short, it’s an initiative that allows passengers to expedite their screening experience if they opt in. How do you opt in to TSA Pre✓™? Funny you should ask… Just go here.

Here are some other TSA Pre✓™ items that might interest you:

The Scoop on TSA Pre✓™

More Than 1 Million Passengers Screened by TSA Pre✓™

TSA Pre✓™ Pilot to Expand to 28 of the Busiest US Airports

Blogger Bob Burns

TSA Blog Team

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.

TSA Week in Review – Inert Detonator Discovered in Checked Bag

Inert Detonator Discovered in Checked Bag – An inert detonator was discovered in a checked bag at Harrisburg (MDT). The individual had been at a conference where the items were given out as souvenirs. We’re all too familiar with instructors and other people in this type of business needing these types of items for their jobs, but as with all inert training items and replica’s, we don’t know they’re not real until we’ve gone through all the motions. These motions can include evacuated baggage areas and closed checkpoints which lead to delays and missed flights. People that need to travel with INERT items should plan ahead and contact their preferred shipper about mailing the training aids to their destination.

Co2 Distraction Grenades – These are used in Airsoft war games, and when they detonate, they make a very loud explosive sound that’s designed to distract the enemy. There are some problems when flying with these. To begin with, they look like grenades, which can cause some concern and delay. Also, compressed gas cylinders are prohibited by the FAA from air travel and I doubt passengers would appreciate a very loud explosive sound in the cabin if it happened to detonate.

Swords Discovered In Guitar Case – I’ve heard of keeping your “axe” in a guitar case, but not your swords. These swords were discovered at Salt Lake City (SLC). The passenger didn’t know that swords were prohibited in carry-on bags.

Blades in the Strangest Places - It’s one thing to forget you had a knife or other bladed object in your bag, but when you intentionally try to sneak it past us, you could wind up being cited or even arrested by law enforcement. Here are a few examples from this week where passengers tried to sneak them past our Officers.

A multi-tool knife was discovered concealed in the bottom of a thermos at Phoenix (PHX). The passenger admitted putting it there in an attempt to get it through.

A multi-tool knife was discovered bound to the inner workings of the pull handle of a bag with rubber bands at Salt Lake City (SLC).

A knife was found taped to the support inside the lining of a carry-on bag at Dulles (IAD).

A sword was found concealed inside a cane at Tampa (TPA).

A razor blade was found concealed in the sole of a shoe at Houston (IAH).

Foggy Notion - Yet another live smoke grenade was found in carry-on luggage. Not only would a smoke filled cabin cause problems, but these get extremely hot when used and can cause a fire. This time the smoke grenade was discovered at Tampa (TPA).

Body Scanner Discoveries This Week – There were a total of 12 illegal and prohibited items discovered this week with the body scanners at HOU, SFO, LAX, MKE, SFO, SAN, ATL, OMA, SNA, MOB and PBI. Among the items were a punching weapon, strike anywhere matches, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a gentleman at Houston (HOU) had a half full bottle of whiskey stuffed in his waistband. Finding these types of items in areas where explosives could also be hidden is a testament that the technology works. And while it isn’t prohibited, a passenger wearing a chastity belt alarmed the body scanner at one of our checkpoints. I’m sure you can imagine where an undergarment such as this might be a problem at a security checkpoint. Especially if there is no key.

People Say the Darndest Things – Here is an example of what not to say at the airport. Statements like these not only delay the people who said them but can also inconvenience lots of other passengers if the checkpoint has to be evacuated:

A passenger at Bangor (BGR) said the following to an Officer who was performing gate screening. “It’s a good thing when you searched my bag you didn’t find my revolver.”

Miscellaneous Prohibited Items - In addition to all of the other prohibited items we find weekly, our Officers also found firearm components, realistic replica firearms, stun guns, brass knuckles, ammunition, batons, and more knives than you can shake a stick at.  

Firearms - Here are the firearms our Officers found in carry-on baggage since I posted last Friday.

You can travel with your firearms in checked baggage, but they must first be declared to the airline. You can go here for more details on how to properly travel with your firearms. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure. 

Unfortunately these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is why we talk about these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are finding, but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the throughput is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had these items.

Blogger Bob Burns

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.

TSA Week in Review - Stunningly Smart Disguise

Insert Your Own Stun Gun Pun [Here] - 7 stun guns were found this week in carry-on bags. Among them were a couple of standouts both discovered at Detroit (DTW). One was disguised to look like a smart phone while the other doubles as a punching weapon.

Cane Saw? – I’ve heard of a cane sword, but a cane saw? This was found at New York Kennedy (JFK).

Knife to a Gunfight? – A knife that looks like a gun was discovered at Des Moines (DSM). Now I’m guessing that if you were going to bring a knife to a gunfight, this would be the one to bring.

Grenade + Commercial Airliner =  - An inert grenade was discovered at Tampa (TPA). I was a kid once. I owned a few inert grenades and even strapped them to my web gear and ran around the woods with my friends. I get it. They’re fun. However, they can’t go on a plane. Even if they’re inert. Read here and here  for more information on why inert items cause problems at checkpoints. We don’t know they’re inert until we check them out and checking them out can often inconvenience your fellow passengers.

Pouch With Narcotics Concealed in Underwear

Body Scanner Discoveries This Week – There were nine incidents this week where body scanner alarms resulted in drugs being found on passengers using imaging technology. Items were found everywhere from pockets to the breast, to the groin area at EWR, SAT, ORD, TPA, PHX, SFO and GEG. In addition to these discoveries, there was also a passenger at Tampa (TPA) who had a white drawstring pouch concealed in his underwear containing several types of Narcotics. (See Picture) Another passenger at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) had marijuana taped to his ankle. We’re not looking for drugs, but finding these nonmetallic items in areas where explosives could also be hidden is a testament that the technology works. 

People Say the Darndest Things - Here are examples of what not to say at the airport. Statements like these not only delay the people who said them but can also inconvenience lots of other passengers if the checkpoint has to be evacuated:

After asking a passenger at Detroit (DTW) for his boarding pass and ID, the passenger stated “Yes, and I have two bombs and three guns” while laughing. After being asked not to say that, the passenger stated “I do not have two bombs, only one bomb.” 

A passenger at Lubbock (LBB) told the airline employee that they were going to blow up American Airlines. When asked what he meant by that, he replied, “You’re about to find out.”

After being told her baggage had missed her flight, a passenger at Las Vegas (LAS) said, “There is a bomb in my bag.”

Knockout of a Purse – A purse was discovered at RDU that also doubles as brass knuckles. I don’t usually share brass knuckles in the Week in Review, but this was a cool find.

Miscellaneous Prohibited Items - In addition to all of the other prohibited items we find weekly, our Officers also found firearm components, realistic replica firearms, stun guns, brass knuckles, ammunition, and batons. Oh, and knives. A lot of knives.

Firearms - Here are the firearms our Officers found in carry-on baggage since I posted last Friday.

You can travel with your firearms in checked baggage, but they must first be declared to the airline. You can go here for more details on how to properly travel with your firearms. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure. 

Unfortunately these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is why we talk about these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are finding, but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the throughput is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had these items.

Blogger Bob Burns

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.