BOISE, Idaho — Before boarding an airplane, it should be no surprise to frequent flyers that travelers must pass through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure banned items are not being brought into the plane's cabin.
With thousands of travelers per day being scanned along with their luggage by high-tech X-ray machines, some of the unusual items TSA workers find are just plain bizarre. They can also sometimes land the owner of said items in jail.
The TSA hosted its annual Top 10 list event on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Boise Airport (BOI), in which they revealed items discovered statewide during screening in airports locally.
The TSA provided a list of its Top 10 confiscated items:
- Ninja throwing star - Discovered at Boise, March 2023
- If you own one pack it in checked luggage or leave it at home.
- Hatchet - Discovered at Boise, January 2023
- TSA always asks passengers before a bag check if there is anything sharp.
- Ulu knife - Discovered at Lewiston, January 2023
- The blade on this is what makes it a prohibited item
- Grenade-shaped bottle of hot sauce - Discovered at Idaho Falls, April 2023
- Anything that looks like a grenade isn't allowed on the plane.
- Spanner wrench - Discovered at Boise, August 2023
- In case you missed the safety briefing, no in-flight maintenance is allowed.
- Camshaft and transmission gear - Discovered at Boise, October 2023
- Due to the size, it's not allowed.
- Double-edged letter opener - Discovered at Sun Valley, June 2023
- Due to it's double-edge its not allowed.
- Crowbar - Discovered at Twin Falls, December 2023
- With it being longer than 7 inches it's not allowed.
- 20 mm inert ammunition - Discovered at Boise, December 2023
- Ammunition of any type must travel in its original packaging in checked luggage.
- Realistic replica rocket propelled grenade - Discovered at Boise, October 2023
- Helpful travel tip: if it looks like an explosive, don't bring it anywhere near an airport.
The TSA said if an item becomes confiscated, travelers have the chance to turn over the item(s) to a non-traveling friend or family member. If they reject that offer, the TSA agent is likely to dispose of it.
In addition to the items listed in the Top 10 list, TSA said agents confiscated 47 guns in Idaho in the year of 2023. Nationwide, they confiscated 6,737 guns, 93% of which were loaded.
Even if a traveler has a concealed weapons permit, firearms are not permitted in carry-on luggage. All firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard case and transported in checked luggage.
For further information visit the TSA's website here.
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