# Have you ever slipped something by the TSA? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 10, 2014, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950 "2014-10-10T10:49:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/21 "2014-10-10T14:45:36Z")
> [@Gordon\_Urquhart](#): > > A couple of weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, I flew from Denver to Detroit with a [multi-plier](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/3028441619_38e3c71925.jpg), which has a pocketknife-like blade, in my carry-on bag. (I didn’t realize it was in there until I got to Detroit.) Similarly here, I forgot about my Spyderco pocket knife ([much like this one](http://www.bladehq.com/imgs/manual-knives/spyderco-manual/spyderco-salt-series/spyderco-c88sbk-salt-ser-large.jpg)) until after I got on board and was looking for something in my backpack and saw it there. I’m glad TSA didn’t see it and confiscate it. Another time I forgot my Swiss Army Knife. They flagged it and I had time to walk over to a Mail-It-Home kiosk. For $30 (somewhat pricey but worth it to me) I mailed it to myself and then went back through security. I’m glad I had the time and that option because the Swiss Army Knife I prefer has been discontinued. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/22 "2014-10-10T14:49:49Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > What was the supposed rationale for confiscating nail clippers? You could break into the cockpit and give the pilots a manicure without using sterilized equipment. (I once had my [cuticle nippers](http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=11044&catid=325795&aid=338666&aparam=11044&kpid=11044&CAWELAID=120142990000015674&CAGPSPN=pla&kpid=11044)confiscated. No blade at all, just some short tiny clippy things.) ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/23 "2014-10-10T14:57:24Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > What was the supposed rationale for confiscating nail clippers? It was the dangerous dangerous blade. I got to keep the clipping part. ETA: > [@sparky!](#): > > Yeah, I thought those were allowed now. I think so. This happened maybe ten years ago. The toothpaste was only about three years ago. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/24 "2014-10-10T16:31:56Z")
I’ve accidentally left one or several [straight razors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_razor) in my carry on multiple times. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/25 "2014-10-10T19:00:46Z")
Not intentionally. The last time I flew I realized after I was seated on the plane that I had not repacked all of my lotions and potions into the clear zipper bag, and had therefore not removed the bag and placed it in the tray outside my carry on. Not one peep was made. Security theater, you say? I did have a 2mm Allen (hex) wrench confiscated. And I wasn’t even flying. I was meeting my son, who was flying as an unaccompanied minor) at the gate. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/26 "2014-10-10T19:04:43Z")
Pot cookies. On purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/27 "2014-10-10T19:25:48Z")
Personally, none. But there is a fairly constant rate of tourists arrested here in Cayman when ammunition is found in their outgoing baggage. Some recent ones: [June 15](http://loopcayman.com/2014/06/20/news-us-honeymooner-fined-3000-for-bullets/) - honeymooner arrested with 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition [July 25](http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2014/08/06/Tourist-fined-$1,000-for-seven-bullets/) - seven rounds of 9mm ammunition [July 31](http://loopcayman.com/2014/08/01/news-another-us-tourist-arrested-for-bullets-in-cayman/) - one round of .22 ammunition All of them claimed they had this live ammo in their carry on bags when they departed the United States and it was not found by TSA security screenings. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/28 "2014-10-10T19:45:20Z")
This was long before 9/11, but once I went directly from camping to Flying, and it wasn’t until I was unpacking after returning back home, that I realized I still had a fishing filet knife with an 8 inch blade in a side pocket of my duffel bag carry on. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/29 "2014-10-10T21:29:59Z")
Some conference as a giveaway passed out Swiss Army knives. Yeah, right. I wanted to see if I could keep it. (Only had carry on bags, of course.) So I put it just so and aligned next to something larger and metal. Got thru okay. Security Theater is right. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/30 "2014-10-10T21:40:03Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > This was long before 9/11, but once I went directly from camping to Flying, and it wasn’t until I was unpacking after returning back home, that I realized I still had a fishing filet knife with an 8 inch blade in a side pocket of my duffel bag carry on. But… where did you store the fish? ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/31 "2014-10-10T23:08:35Z")
I accidently carried a swiss army knife on board a plane. I put it in my luggage for the trip home. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/32 "2014-10-10T23:20:56Z")
I had lighters in my carryon regularly back when those weren’t allowed. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/33 "2014-10-10T23:25:15Z")
I took marijuana past the airport security check in 1978, years before the TSA existed. Which doesn’t count in terms of the OP, but anyway…). They actually had me empty my pockets because I had something metal that beeped and they found my marijuana, and then told me “Oh, we don’t care about that,” and let me on the plane. That was 1978 for you. You hadda be there. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/34 "2014-10-10T23:46:05Z")
Does any one put their 3 oz liquids or gels in a clear one quart plastic bag for the TSA? I never do and have never been questioned about it. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/35 "2014-10-11T00:24:33Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > Does any one put their 3 oz liquids or gels in a clear one quart plastic bag for the TSA? > > I never do and have never been questioned about it. I forgot the bag at my small regional airport and straight-up asked them if I could just leave it on the carousel. They were cool with it. YMMV in bigger airports, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/36 "2014-10-11T04:00:57Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > Personally, none. > > But there is a fairly constant rate of tourists arrested here in Cayman when ammunition is found in their outgoing baggage. > > Some recent ones: > [June 15](http://loopcayman.com/2014/06/20/news-us-honeymooner-fined-3000-for-bullets/) - honeymooner arrested with 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition > > [July 25](http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2014/08/06/Tourist-fined-$1,000-for-seven-bullets/) - seven rounds of 9mm ammunition > > [July 31](http://loopcayman.com/2014/08/01/news-another-us-tourist-arrested-for-bullets-in-cayman/) - one round of .22 ammunition > > All of them claimed they had this live ammo in their carry on bags when they departed the United States and it was not found by TSA security screenings. Ammo is supposed to be in checked luggage, in secure containers intended to hold ammo (e.g. not loose, in a Zip-Loc bag). I seriously doubt they got on board with ammo in their carry ons. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/37 "2014-10-11T04:08:46Z")
It was before the TSA formation, but I flew from St. Louis to Ft. Lauderdale with a box of 9mm ammo in my carry-on bag. My wife found it when we unpacked in Florida. It had been through the x-ray machine. We did not bring it back with us. ---
**Author:** ![Bouncer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@Bouncer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bouncer)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/38 "2014-10-11T04:30:31Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > Does any one put their 3 oz liquids or gels in a clear one quart plastic bag for the TSA? > > I never do and have never been questioned about it. Here’s a better question which indicates how much theater this is. Why are they X-Raying these items when X-Ray machines cannot detect explosives? Regards, -Bouncer- ---
**Author:** ![Amberlei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Amberlei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amberlei)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/39 "2014-10-11T05:15:10Z")
I let my brother borrow my laptop bag once, and took it on a trip with me after I got it back. I went through security at the airports in Spokane and Minneapolis with it. On the way home, TSA in Logan found my brother’s 10" hunting knife and confiscated it. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950/40 "2014-10-11T11:52:33Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Ammo is supposed to be in checked luggage, in secure containers intended to hold ammo (e.g. not loose, in a Zip-Loc bag). I seriously doubt they got on board with ammo in their carry ons. Supposed to be. And not supposed to be transported into a country where mere possession is illegal. In each case the parties claim slight variations on the trope that their carry on bag is used to transport their firearm in the US. They took out the firearm but missed some ammo. With one stray round I can believe it was an oversight, but missing a box of 50 rounds seems unlikely. There is about one case every six weeks or so. If even a fraction of them are truthful then it doesn’t bode well for the TSA missing so much so frequently. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-slipped-something-by-the-tsa/700950.md?page=3)