Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Career Intelligence
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Interactive Spotlight
    • Photo Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Security NewswireAccess Management

TSA Announces Last Week's Prohibited Items

March 19, 2012

The Transportation Security Administration's blog highlighted some of the more interesting, drastic or downright confusing items found last week on airline passengers passing through airport security checkpoints. 

The blog's top picks include:

Ecstasy: According to the blog, a passenger opted out of going through a body scanner at Los Angeles International airport, but a TSA officer came across a bulky area during the pat-down. Although the passenger insisted it was nothing out of the ordinary, the officer discovered 1000-2000 hits of ecstasy in the passenger's undergarments. The blog says, "We're not looking for drugs, but until we figure out what the item is, we have to assume it would be dangerous. When we find narcotics, we have to report them."

Live Grenade: An officer at Dallas/Fort Worth International airport discovered a grenade in a carry-on bag. The blog states that TSA officers find a lot of inert and fake grenades, but this was a live, 40-mm high explosive dual purpose projectile. But according to the blog, the passenger had no nefarious intent. It states that the passenger was a soldier who had made a mistake, and no charges were filed.

Multi-use Pistol: A revolver was found at Mobile Regional Airport in Alabama that can shoot both .45 founds and .410 shotgun shells. Nineteen miscellaneous guns were also found at other airports across the country. Sixteen of them were loaded.

Deadly Hairbrush: In Phoenix, Ariz., a hairbrush was found that could be pulled apart to reveal what the blog called "a molded plastic implement of death," or a plastic spike. 

Miscellaneous: TSA officials also found a knife concealed as a belt buckle, a small saw blade, a garrote, "firearm components, a shocking amount of stun guns, brass knuckles, a plethora of knives, ammunition and batons," the blog says. Other items found include: nunchucks, a "cat eyes punching weapon" and a box cutter concealed under the metal spine of a binder.

The blog also gave several examples of what not to say at an airport checkpoint:

In LaGuardia, a passenger stated: "I have a torpedo in my brassiere," when there was no torpedo. 

In Las Vegas, a chivalrous passenger asked: "Why are you harassing this innocent woman when you just let me through with a tube of plastic explosives?" There were no plastic explosives. 

According to the blog, "This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had these items in their bag. That’s why it’s important to double check your luggage before you get to the airport."
 

KEYWORDS: airport security body scanner TSA

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Cyber tech background

    Security’s Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2026

    Security magazine’s Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2026 award...
    Top Cybersecurity Leaders
  • Iintegration and use of emerging tools

    Future Proof Your Security Career with AI Skills

    AI’s evolution demands security leaders master...
    Security Education & Training
    By: Jerry J. Brennan and Joanne R. Pollock
  • The 2025 Security Benchmark Report

    The 2025 Security Benchmark Report

    The 2025 Security Benchmark Report surveys enterprise...
    The Security Benchmark Report
    By: Rachelle Blair-Frasier
Manage My Account
  • Security Newsletter
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • critical event management
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Why a Unified View Across IT, Continuity, and Security Makes or Breaks Crisis Response

Popular Stories

Pixelated brain

Critical Thinking Erosion: A Hidden Threat to Security Career Resilience

Red block among white blocks

Plenty of Associations, But Not Enough Association

Person on iPhone

The Olympics Are Going Mobile — Your Security Strategy Has to Follow

Phone showing hearts and flirty emojis

Valentine’s Day 2026: Inside the Industrial-Scale Romance Scam Economy

Red and blue pawns with thought bubbles

Implementing Meaningful De-Escalation Training in Your Security Program

SEC 2026 Benchmark Banner

Events

April 8, 2026

The Future of Executive Protection: Layering Technology, Intelligence, and Response

Digital threats to executives and other high-profile employees are evolving faster than most corporate protection programs. Learn why modern executive protection programs require data-driven, intelligence-led strategies to keep pace with the magnitude of today’s threats.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products
SEC 2026 Top Cybersecurity Leaders

Related Articles

  • Airport at Sunset

    What Prohibited Items Have Travelers Knowingly Brought Through Airport Security?

    See More
  • TSA Allows 12 Surprising Items on Planes

    See More
  • Can I Bring My ___? TSA Adds App Search Function for Banned Items

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9780367030407.jpg

    National Security, Personal Privacy and the Law

  • 9780367339456.jpg.jpg.jpg

    Cyber Strategy: Risk-Driven Security and Resiliency

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing