When trying to pack for a trip, you might find yourself second guessing whether or not you can bring a certain item in your carry-on. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has very specific, but sometimes confusing guidelines for what is acceptable and what isn't. To clear it up, here is a rundown of items that are prohibited from carry-on luggage. Some of them may seem obvious, but some it is not uncommon for these items to be confiscated at TSA checkpoints.
Liquids
This guideline can be a bit confusing for travelers. The TSA has a 3-1-1 rule for liquids, aerosols, and gels. This allows 3.4 ounce (100ml) or less bottles to be placed in one quart-sized plastic ziploc bag per one passenger.
Anything over 3.4 ounces and anything than cannot fit in the ziploc bag is prohibited from carry-ons.
Sharp Objects
It makes sense that most sharp items are banned from carry-on luggage, as they could always be used as weapons. The TSA doesn't want to take their chances, so they don't allow most sharpr items in carry-ons. If you must bring them, the TSA requires sharp items to be wrapped and secured in checked luggage so that baggage handlers aren't injured.
Sharp Items Prohibited From Carry-ons include:
Box Cutters
Ice Axes
Knives(unless plastic or round bladed butter knives)
Meat Cleavers
Razors(except disposable razors)
Sabers
Scissors(Except those with blades shorter than four inches.)
Swords
Sporting Goods
Some sport items can be used as weapons, so if you need to bring certain sports equipment, leave it in your checked luggage.
Sporting Goods Prohibited From Carry-ons Include:
Baseball Bats
Bows and Arrows
Cricket Bats
Hockey Sticks
Lacrosse Sticks
Pool Cues
Ski Poles
Spear Guns
*Tennis rackets and ice skates are permitted in carry-ons.
Fire Arms
Any obvious weapons are prohibited from carry-ons. Some are allowed to be included with checked luggage, but clear it with the individual airline as there may be special conditions or paperwork to fill out.
Fire Arms Prohibited From Carry-ons Include:
Ammunition
BB Guns
Compressed Air Guns (Paintball guns)
Flare guns
Flares
Guns
Gun Lighters
Gun Powder
Parts of Guns and Firearms
Realistic Replicas of Firearms
Starter Pistols
Tools
Tools can also be dangerous, so the TSA bans most of them from carry-ons unless they are under seven inches long. Otherwise, tools can be placed in checked luggage.
Tools Prohibited from Carry-ons Include:
Axes and Hatches
Cattle Prods
Crowbars
Hammers
Drills
Saws
Tools larger than seven inches
Martial Arts and Self-Defense Items
Keep your ninja skills off of planes, but if you must bring certain martial arts items, leave them in your checked luggage.
Martial Arts and Self-Defense Items Prohibited from Carry-ons Include:
Billy Clubs
Black Jacks
Brass Knuckles
Kubatons
Self Defense Sprays
Martial Arts Weapons
Night Sticks
Nunchuks
Stun Guns
Throwing Stars
Explosive and Flammable Materials
These are obvious banned items because airplanes want to prevent explosions and terrorist attacks on planes. Not only are these items prohibited from carry-on bags, but they are also prohibited from checked luggage.
Explosive And Flammable Materials Prohibited from Carry-ons Include:
Blasting Caps
Dynamite
Fireworks
Flares
Hand Grenades
Plastic Explosives
Realistic Replicas of Explosives
Aerosol cans (except for toiletries in certain quantities)
Fuels
Gasoline
Gas Torches
Lighter Fluid
Torch Lighters
Strike-Anywhere Matches
Flammable Paints
Turpentine and Paint Thinner
Realistic Replicas of Flammable Materials
Disabling Chemicals and Other Dangerous Items
These items can also be obviously dangerous and are not allowed in carry-ons or checked luggage.
Disabling Chemicals and Other Items Prohibited from Carry-ons Include:
Chlorine for pools or spas
Fire extinguishers
Liquid Bleach
Spillable Batteries (Except in wheelchairs)
Spray Paint
Tear Gas
Vehicle Airbags
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
