17 Things TSA Won’t Let You Carry on a Flight

We all know about the liquid ban, but there are many more items on the list that a TSA agent at security might object to. Anything that can be used as a weapon or harm a fellow passenger is prohibited and can be confiscated. Hence, before you pack your bags, you should find out what items are not allowed in hand luggage.

Here are 17 things to not carry on a flight.

Badminton Racquet

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While most people know that a cricket bat is not allowed in cabin luggage, not many know that the same prohibition stands for badminton racquets as well. The same goes for golf clubs, hockey and lacrosse sticks, pool cues, skateboards, and bowling pins because they could be used for bludgeoning.

Blue Cheese

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Creamy cheese like blue cheese, mozzarella, feta, ricotta, and goat cheese are treated as liquid, hence you cannot carry it in your hand luggage in quantities over 100ml. On the other hand, solid cheese like gouda, cheddar, parmesan, and grana padano is allowed without restrictions.

Peanut Butter

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Believe it or not, peanut butter is not solid. TSA considers your PB as liquid as it has no definite shape and takes the shape of the container. Hence, the permissible quantity is 3.4oz or less.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

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Due to faulty batteries in almost every Note 7 variant, all airlines banned it due to the risk of fire and explosion.

Drills

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Even if you are a tradesman traveling for work, you have no reason to carry your work tools in the cabin. Hence, even if the excess baggage fees would be phenomenal, you are still not allowed to carry drills in your carry-on luggage. The same applies to hammers.

Fishing Rod

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Rods, especially with large hooks, can be used to injure. Hence, it’s probably best to pack your fishing rod for the check-in luggage, as the security won’t let you take it on the flight as hand luggage.

Fresh Fruits

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Carrying fresh or dried fruits to be eaten during the plane journey is permissible. However, you need to find out with the destination country if they allow foreign fruits into their country. Many countries prohibit carrying fresh fruits due to the risk of spreading pests.

Soups

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Soups fall under the category of liquid at the end of the day. So do not try to sneak in soups for your dinner on the plane; believe us the TSA agent won’t be amused. Even miso and soups with vegetables floating in can’t be carried.

Replica or Toy Weapons

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It’s public knowledge that ammunition and firearms are not allowed in planes, however, note that even toy weapons, be it BB guns, pellet guns, 3D printed guns, sabers, and realistic replicas of firearms must not be carried on your person.

Frozen Food

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Frozen food needs a cooler with ice, however, ice must be completely frozen. Even if it’s partially melted, it is not permitted. The same rule applies to ice cream. Pack frozen food and ice cream with dry ice; dry ice (up to five pounds) that is properly packaged and marked is allowed on the plane.

Live Lobster

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Bringing a live lobster on the plane with you is questionable. The ultimate decision lies with the individual TSA agent. If you must, carry it in a clear plastic bag so that it is easily visible.

Cigarette Lighters

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You can’t carry any objects in your hand baggage that could cause injury to yourself and fellow passengers, however, you can take a cigarette lighter on the plane. Keep in mind that you can’t carry more than one cigarette lighter and it must be carried only on person. You can’t return it to your hand baggage after screening.

Medicine

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The rules are the rules. You can’t carry liquid medicines if it’s more than 100 ml, even if it’s essential. Keep pills in a pill box so that it is easily visible to the airport security official. You can’t carry syringes unless you can show a doctor’s note to airport security confirming that you must use the syringe during the plane journey.

Marijuana

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Federal laws rule the airports, and according to the Federal laws, marijuana is illegal. Even certain CBD-infused products like CBD oil are not permitted either. Cannabis products containing no more than 0.3% THC approved by the FDA are exceptions though.

Drones

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Most airlines don’t accept drones on board as cabin luggage. Drones can be accepted as checked-in luggage, while their batteries would be placed in the hand baggage.

Tent Spikes

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Tent spikes or pegs in hand luggage are a no-no and can be confiscated by the TSA agent.

Fire Extinguishers

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It’s a no-brainer. Fire extinguishers are not allowed in hand luggage as they are considered hazardous materials.

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