Passenger attempts to bring 'extremely concerning' number of banned items through TSA
Transportation Security Officers officers at Los Angeles International Airport were "shocked" when they found a "gamut" of banned items in a woman's carry-on last week, including dozens of fireworks, replica guns and knives, the agency said.
"What happened Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) surprised even the longest tenured and most experienced TSA officer," a press release on Friday stated.
Around 10 p.m. in Terminal 4, a TSA officer flagged a bag, belonging to a female passenger flying to Philadelphia, after spotting "multiple prohibited items" on the X-ray scan.
Upon further inspection, the officer discovered 82 consumer grade fireworks, three knives, two replica firearms and one canister of pepper spray, according to the release.
"The sheer number of prohibited items discovered in a single carry-on bag is extremely concerning,” said LAX TSA Federal Security Director Jason Pantages, in the release.
The TSA alerted the Los Angeles World Airport Police Department (LAWA), whose officers interviewed the passenger. LAWA's bomb squad also responded and confiscated the fireworks. TSA did not disclose whether the woman was detained nor explain why she had so many prohibited items.
"This traveler should have followed TSA’s tried and true advice – unpack your bag before you pack it to ensure you don’t bring any prohibited items to the security checkpoint," Pantages continued. "We are in the midst of the holiday travel season when security checkpoints will be busy everywhere. Let this incident serve as a reminder to all travelers to double-check the contents of your bag prior to coming to the airport."
The TSA said the incident is a reminder that fireworks fall under explosives, which are strictly prohibited on planes, whether in carry-on or checked luggage. Knives, replica firearms and one four-ounce container of pepper spray with a safety mechanism are permitted only in checked baggage. Self-defense sprays containing more than 2% tear gas by mass are prohibited even in checked baggage, and some airlines may entirely ban this item.