Unusual Items That Will Cause A Stir With Airport Security

Since the early 2000s, airport security horror stories have become commonplace in the United States. Most travelers understand the basic airport security carry-on guidelines, like the 3-1-1 rule, but other items can fall under a grey area — stalling the already stressful security lines.

Medical Gear

Although medical equipment is essential and therefore cannot be restricted or confiscated, many items can cause problems. Casts and limb braces will lead to additional x-ray screening through a catscope. Because of the Richard Reid incident, gel insoles are often confiscated. Problems with inhalers can be avoided by informing officers before screening and properly labeling the items.

Sporting Goods

Many sporting good items, like badminton racquets, tennis rackets and baseball bats, must be checked because of their potential to be used as a weapon.

Clothes

Many bras and headbands have wire framing that set off metal detectors. While bras are not required to be removed, they will yield extra attention from security wands.

Other

Ink cartridges are banned because of their liquid content, and wine corkscrews because of their sharp tips.

Perhaps the strangest item that will lead to trouble with security is peanut butter. Peanut butter is hard to define as a liquid or a solid — it is somewhere in between. For this reason, some TSA staff may treat it as a liquid.