The Transportation Security Administration has changed its policy when it comes to removing your shoes at airport security checkpoints.
Banned items, though, are still … well … banned.
And there is a long — make that a very long — list of things you can’t bring either in your carry-on or your checked bag.
Tell that to the person who had a loaded firearm in a carry-on bag June 19 at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport in New York or the woman with a loaded firearm who tried to board a plane June 15 at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
Or the person who had both a knife and saw blade hidden in a cane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina on June 17.
And how about the person with an inert grenade in a carry-on bag June 15 at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?
Some banned items make sense, like the lithium batteries that cause a fire hazard. A flight from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale with nearly 200 people on board made an emergency landing at Fort Myers’ RSW airport earlier this month after airline officials say a personal battery caught fire.
Other items on the TSA list may make you scratch your head.
Did you know you can bring a live lobster in your carry-on and even pots and pans, as long as they aren’t cast iron. And how about that Magic 8 Ball? No need to shake it for an answer: Checked bag only.
Here’s what you should know about banned items.
TSA breaks down items you can bring – or not – by category
TSA breaks down what you can bring in a carry-on bag or put in your checked bag into categories:
➤ Search TSA’s complete list of items
Here are a few items in each category. Some may be obvious, but some may surprise you. Remember, “the final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.”
Flammable items allowed or banned by TSA
This is just a partial list! See the complete list here.
Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:
Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:
➤ Delta Florida flight diverted for burning battery. TSA rule, how to avoid lithium-ion fire
Sometimes yes, sometimes no:
Firearms allowed or banned by TSA
This is just a partial list! See the complete list here.
Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:
Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no:
Food allowed or banned by TSA
This is just a partial list! See the complete list here.
Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:
Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no:
Household items and tools allowed or banned by TSA
This is just a partial list! See the complete list here.
Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:
Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no:
Medical items allowed or banned by TSA
This is just a partial list! See the complete list here.
Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no or special requirements:
Sharp objects allowed or banned by TSA
This is just a partial list! See the complete list here.
Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no:
Sports, camping items allowed or banned by TSA
This is just a partial list! See the complete list here.
Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:
Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no:
Miscellaneous allowed or banned by TSA
This is just a partial list! See the complete list here.
Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags are such items as:
Allowed in both carry-on and checked bags:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no:
Still not sure if an item is allowed or banned? You can search TSA list
If you’re still not sure whether the item you want to bring is allowed, you can enter a search word at TSA’s website.
What is TSA’s 3-1-1 rule?
“You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint,” TSA said.
The TSA’s liquid 3-1-1 rule stands for:
The rule has been in place since 2006, with the intention of limiting the risk of dangerous liquids being brought into an airplane.
TSA’s top 10 ‘best catches’ of 2024
“You won’t believe what people brought to the airport,” TSA said in a video highlighting the “top 10 best catches of 2024.”
Additional screening always possible at airport security
“Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns,” TSA said.
My item isn’t listed. How can I make sure it’s OK?
For items not listed, contact the AskTSA team between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET at:
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Live lobster OK in your carry-on, but don’t bring that cast-iron skillet. See TSA list
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
