Since its formation on Nov. 19, 2001, in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Transportation Security Administration’s mission has been to “Protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.”
Most people are familiar with the agency when they pass through airport security checkpoints. Transportation Security Officers are there to for passenger safety, ensuring that prohibited goods don’t get back the checkpoint.
Some items — like guns (real or replica), large scissors and flammable liquids — are never allowed. But the agency continues to make changes when it comes to what can get past the checkpoint.
Below are 15 surprise items you can actually take past the checkpoint. But in case you still have questions, you can take a photo of the item and send it to either AskTSA on Facebook Messenger or via Twitter. Staff are online with answers from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET during the week and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
-
Alcoholic Beverages
TSA treats adult beverages with between 24 percent but not more than 70 percent just like other liquids. The bottles must be unopened, be 3.4 ounces or less and fit into a quart-sized bag. But FAA regulations prohibit travelers from drinking their carry-on alcohol unless it's served by a flight attendant.
-
Antlers and Bones
TSA recommends that travelers wanting to carry on these items should check with the airline they’re flying to make sure the items will fit under a seat or in an overhead bin. It's also recommended that antlers placed in overhead bins be packed so no one is injured when the bin is opened.
-
Baby Formula, Breast Milk and Juice
All three items are allowed in "reasonable quantities" in travelers’ carry-on bags, although TSA does not specify how it determines what is reasonable. These items must be removed and screened separately. And parents do not need to have a child with them in order to bring breast milk past the security checkpoint.
-
-
CO2 Cartridge for Life Vest
Travelers are allowed to bring a life vest with up to two CO2 cartridges inside, plus two spare cartridges, in a carry-on bag. But be warned: travelers may have to go through a secondary screening and it could be banned if it triggers an alarm during screening.
-
Cooked Meat, Seafood and Vegetable (No Liquid)
These items are allowed in a carry-on bag, but again: check with the airline to ensure that the item will fit in the aircraft’s overhead bin or under the seat. And travelers should make sure that whatever they use to keep the food cold is approved by TSA to go past the security checkpoint, including ice and ice gel packs.
-
-
Disposable/Zippo Lighters
In 2005, TSA decided to ban cigarette lighters on planes. Two years later, it reversed that decision, allowing travelers to bring lighters in their carry-on bags. But torch and micro-lighters are still not allowed past security. And lighters with fuel are not allowed in checked bags unless they are enclosed in a DOT-approved case.
Continue to 9 of 15 below. -
eCigarettes
TSA allows travelers to pack battery-powered eCigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers and electronic nicotine delivery systems in a carry-on bag. But it advises making a call to they airlines to ensure they don’t have their own restrictions on these devices. And they can't be used once onboard the plane to comply with FAA's smoking regulations.
-
-
Shell Casings
Shell casings are pieces of metal that surround a bullet. Empty casings can be carried in a bag as long as the projectile is no longer intact or the primer has been removed or has been discharged.
-
-
-
-
Used/Unused Syringes
Travelers are allowed to have used syringes in their carry-on bag as long as they are placed in a Sharps disposal container or another similar hard-surface container. They can bring unused syringes when accompanied by injectable medication. Both items must be declared to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection. Medications with labels will help facilitate the inspection process.