What Not to Carry On Your Next Flight

Carry-on baggage policy is becoming more and more regulated and specific as airline threats become more and more numerous, sophisticated, and creative.  It seems like every day new items are added to the “banned list” — items that you might otherwise not think twice about carrying on with you.

Anyone who has flown in the last few years knows that you have to schedule at least an hour of waiting time into your itinerary, just to get through airport security.  Airports could probably start a donation drive with all the items that they have to confiscate from passengers on their way to the gate.

You don’t want to have any of your personal belongings taken from you because you weren’t aware of their banned status.  Before you pack your bags for your next flight, read over this list of banned items — and be sure to browse the “For Travelers” section of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for updates and other important traveling information, such as liquid rules, and required/acceptable forms of identification.

Sharp Objects

This is a bit of a no-brainer, in light of events that have occurred over the last decade, but you would be surprised at the number of people who still try to bring their pocket knives on the plane with them and then have to surrender them to airport security.  There are some exceptions — see the chart below (from TSA’s website) — but the best rule of thumb is: “When in doubt, check it.”

Sporting Goods

This might come as a surprise to some, but the only sporting goods you are allowed to carry on a commercial flight are ice skates and tennis rackets.  Anything else, such as baseball bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs, or ski poles, have to be checked.  Again, when in doubt, check it.

Guns & Firearms

At this point, if you try to bring a gun on an airplane, you deserve to have your weapon taken away, and to wear a dunce hat for the duration of the flight.  Federal Air Marshals are some of the only individuals permitted to carry a gun or any kind of firearm — so unless you meet that qualification, best to leave the guns and the ammunition at home.  By the way, gun powder and flares, as you can see from the table below, are strictly forbidden on aircraft.

Tools

Think you can’t bring that screwdriver or wrench on board? If they’re shorter than seven inches in length, certain tools are actually allowed on the plane.  Any larger though and you’ll have to check them.

Martial Arts & Self Defense Equipment

Black belts have to fly occasionally, too! Unfortunately, if you are headed to a competition, you’ll have to check your equipment, no matter what it is.  And on a side note, anything sharp that you check in your luggage should be sheathed or wrapped so that it doesn’t protrude and endanger baggage handlers — and this goes for all kinds of items, not just martial arts equipment.

Miscellaneous Items

This is certainly a list you want to read before boarding your next plane.  If you don’t, you might have to toss that snow globe you bought as a souvenir for your niece, or ditch those gel shoe inserts you use for long walks.  Read on.

 

Jane Smith is a freelance writer and blogger. She writes about free background checks for Backgroundcheck.org. Questions and comments can be sent to: janesmth161 @ gmail.com

What Not to Carry On Your Next Flight is a post from: Aviation news – Planegrazy

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