Don't Try To Bring A Shotgun Shell Full Of Meth On An Airplane, And Other Incredible TSA Finds From 2024

The Transportation Security Administration is so important to the safety of American travelers and 2024 was finally the year they were recognized for their hard work, with the straight-to-Netflix Christmas thriller "Carry-On." The dead-eyed men and women in blue patrolling your local airports are ever vigilant when it comes to anyone trying to, god forbid, bring more than three ounces of liquid onto an airplane. Occasionally they manage to stumble into some pretty impressive finds, because travelers continue to bring their weapons and drugs to the airport.

Whether on-purpose or not, it's probably not a good idea to bring grenades, blades, or guns to the airport. Maybe make that your resolution for 2025.

Here are a few of the best TSA finds in 2024.

Every spy worth their salt has a cane knife. It's just the easiest way to look slightly pathetic, conceal your weapon, and pop it out when they least expect it. Or maybe it was purely accidental and the cane user had no idea there was a small blade hidden inside their walking aid.

And to prove this isn't a one-off thing, here's another TSA-confiscated cane sword. Don't you need a cane sword at minimum to defend yourself going through LaGuardia anyway?

This is a cane sword. It was intercepted at a @LGAairport checkpoint by @TSA last week. Good idea to twist the handle and inspect your cane to check it if you got it at an antique shop, garage sale, yard sale or if it was a gift. You know, just to make sure nothing's inside. pic.twitter.com/TrfqggP7fK

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) November 12, 2024

The @TSA team at @Reagan_Airport made the right call when they removed what looks like a mobile phone from a carry-on bag. It's actually a stun gun that was manufactured to look like a mobile phone. Good catch by the TSA team at DCA! pic.twitter.com/MzRwY0zhQA

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) August 13, 2024

You can bring one of Tim Apple's best iTelephones onboard any aircraft, but an iPhone-shaped electrocution device is a bit of a stretch.

The @TSA team at @PHLAirport intercepted a razor blade that was concealed under the lining of a traveler's shoe on Dec. 28. If your desire is to raise suspicion about yourself, try concealing a prohibited item on you or in your carry-on items. That will do the trick.🙄 pic.twitter.com/8N4USQJWce

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) December 30, 2024

Don't hide a box cutter blade in the soles of your Js, man.

Check out what @TSA @LAXAirport discovered in a single carry-on bag this week. 😳 Not one of these items is needed in the cabin of an aircraft and the fireworks don't belong on a plane at all. Next time, use the myTSA app's "What Can I Bring" feature. https://t.co/0Wc5goyRFG pic.twitter.com/eCT270Hppa

— TSA_Pacific (@TSA_Pacific) December 20, 2024

We've covered this one before, but it bears repeating. A bag full of firecrackers and knives is not going to get on your flight. And you probably aren't either.

On Dec 10 I tweeted about an inert grenade that @TSA at @LGAairport detected in a checked bag. Yesterday this one showed up at the airport, this one in a carry-on bag, impacting passenger screening on a busy day. Come on dude put on your thinking cap. No grenades at airports! pic.twitter.com/gGAvIlypsP

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) December 20, 2024

TSA says is screened approximately 40 million holiday travelers between December 19 and January 2. One of them thought they could get away with bringing a grenade in their carry-on luggage. Nope.

Holy smokes! The @TSA team at @PITairport intercepted this smoke grenade in a traveler's carry-on bag yesterday. Had it been triggered, thick yellow smoke would have been everywhere! Yellow is just not a good look. And besides, you know that there's no smoking on a plane! pic.twitter.com/jx7ASALKnu

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) June 20, 2024

Grenades are also not allowed in June.

Hot sauce shaped like a grenade is also not allowed. This time because it's 6 ounces of liquid, but TSA also classifies this as a "replica weapon."

Peanut Butter is a liquid. We said what we said.

— TSA (@TSA) August 23, 2024

I love to drink a big warm glass of peanut butter.

With two months left in 2024, @TSA @iflyboise has already set an annual record for firearm finds in carry-on luggage. What can you do to stop this unfortunate trend? Triple check the contents of your bag. Here's more on what's going on in Boise. https://t.co/ZE4r9Pjzsm pic.twitter.com/L95HcfwXT1

— TSA_Pacific (@TSA_Pacific) October 23, 2024

Gun owners should really know the rules and regulations for traveling with their firearms. They have to go in a checked bag, and they have to be locked in a hard-sided case. Yes, even antique guns with no ammunition.

Traveler came to @LGAairport with 2 antique guns in a checked bag. Good they were in checked bag, but they must be in a locked hard-sided case in a checked bag. @TSA escorted him to check-in counter to rebook his flight and return with guns properly packed. Learn from his error. pic.twitter.com/hgdKL6qmLA

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) October 25, 2024

.@TSA detected this shotgun shell in the groin area of a man at @PHLAirport yesterday. It had been tampered with and contained methamphetamine. Police arrested him. So here's the tip of the day: Don't try to conceal drugs in ammunition and then stick it down your pants. pic.twitter.com/PVA9h9diNv

— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) October 1, 2024

This is easily my favorite TSA find of 2024, as some dingus tried to tuck a shotgun shell full of methamphetamine into his jock strap and just walk it onto the plane. Maybe don't try to hide something illegal inside something else that is also illegal. It's like a TSA turducken of idiocy.