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Some of the novelty grenades passengers try to take on-board. Picture: Transportation Security Administration
media_cameraSome of the novelty grenades passengers try to take on-board. Picture: Transportation Security Administration
Weird

Strange things people try to take on aeroplanes

Leah McLennan, news.com.au

I’VE taken some pretty stupid things on to a plane — giant lamp shades, a portable baby cot and bags of groceries.

But that pales in comparison to what America’s Transport Security Administration regularly finds in people’s belongings.

Last week they collected a record 67 firearms from carry-on bags across the US — and 56 of those guns were loaded.

They also found a bunch of throwing stars, 19 stun guns and Tasers, and a canister of gun powder.

It may come as a surprise to Australians, but the TSA says “you can travel with your firearms in checked baggage”, but they must first be declared to the airline.

The TSA also allows passengers to transport ammunition, but only in checked baggage.

It also frequently reminds passengers that any items that look like a real bomb, grenade or mine are prohibited.

This may sound like common sense, but a 15-year-old boy caused chaos recently when he entered a Canadian airport with a bomb-shaped alarm clock in his carry-on bag.

The teenager, who was travelling from Toronto to Vancouver, was pulled aside after a screening officer noticed the object in his luggage.

The explosive disposal unit was dispatched to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, the screening area was shut down, and the surrounding area was evacuated for about three hours.

But the case of the Canadian teenager and his “funny” alarm clock is far from being an isolated incident.

Here are some ridiculous items people have tried to take on planes:

1. An avalanche starter

media_cameraDon’t forget your avalanche starter. Picture: Transportation Security Administration

A homemade avalanche control charge was discovered in a carry-on bag in 2014 at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, a major airport in the US state of Alaska. The FBI responded and arrested the passenger.

2. Grenades

media_cameraTravellers try to take all sorts of ‘amusing’ grenades on their holiday. Picture: Transportation Security Administration

More than 140 inert or novelty handgrenades were discovered last year by the TSA in both checked and carry-on bags.

3. Axes and mallets

media_cameraDon’t leave home without your mallet. Picture: Transportation Security Administration

Double check your bag for axes or mallets. The TSA found this homemade wooden mallet in a passenger’s carry-on last year.

4. A meat slicer

media_cameraIf you like you meat thinly sliced then take your own slicer with you. Picture: Transportation Security Administration

A meat slicer was discovered in a carry-on bag at the Southwest Florida International Airport last year. Blades on slicers, blenders, and food processors are razor sharp and are prohibited from being packed in carry-on bags, says the TSA.

5. Bear mace

media_cameraProtect yourself from bears while on holiday with a few cans of spray. Picture: Transportation Security Administration

Beware of the bears — and the repellent. It may come as no surprise, but bear repellent is just one of the many items that are not allowed on commercial flights in the US.

Originally published as Stupidest things people try to take on planes