The Transportation Security Administration has an elaborate checklist mentioning what you can and can not bring on the plane with you. Violating these guidelines could result in hefty fines, which you surely want to avoid.
However, sometimes, some of the passengers mistakenly carry some of these prohibited items, which makes their security check costly, time-consuming, and complicated.
According to the TSA website, at least 494 items are currently prohibited from being carried through the security checkpoints. Every Day, agents from the agency thoroughly check millions of bags to spot any explosives and dangerous items. While most are aware of what not to bring, some make mistakes.
In a recent thread on Reddit, some such people shared their dumbest TSA mistakes, which often led to hefty fines.
One Reddit user penned a post: “By far the dumbest mistake I’ve made at the airport”. The person shared an image of a hatchet, revealing that he mistakenly brought it to the security check-in.
“I thought I lost this hatchet years ago and flew with my backpack, but I didn’t even know this was in a separate compartment. When the officer asked ‘Where the hatchet was,’ I was genuinely confused until she pulled it out.”
However, he was lucky enough to be left without a warning, but most are not. The agency can impose up to $17,062 for violation of any of its rules. TSA’s website states that bringing weapons like knives and hatchets would usually result in a warning for the first violation. For the next, one could face a civil penalty between $450 and $2,750.
Currently, this rule applies to weapons like axes, bows, arrows, ice axes, ice picks, switchblades, butterfly knives, meat cleavers, sabers, machetes, swords, fencing foils, throwing stars, and throwing knives. In the case of BB guns, flare pistols, pellet guns, compressed air guns, and other kinds of firearms, they could result in similar penalties without any warning.
Call of Duty … Baggage Ops??? 😮
Our officers @BostonLogan found a replica explosive in checked bags. Cool in-game, not so much in real life. Replica weapons/explosives aren’t allowed in carry-on or checked bags. Reach out to @AskTSA with any travel q’s.#ProhibitedItemsWeek pic.twitter.com/A9EiW6MEIL— TSA (@TSA) April 23, 2025
Others also shared their stories on the Reddit thread. One recalled, “The first time I realized my mistake while in line, and as soon as I got to the scanner, I told them I had a knife to surrender. Second time I patted myself, making sure I had removed everything, and I felt a knife. My blood ran cold. This is a knife I won’t lose or surrender.”
“I explained my f—up to the TSA agent. I hadn’t gone through the machine yet. Told me to go out of the line and mail it or put it in my car. Called a friend, and they picked it up from me. ”
Another wrote, “I brought a BB gun by accident once. They let me keep it and return it to my car. I thought the matter was over then, but they sent me a letter with a fine to pay. Was able to get precheck a few years later.”
“My mistake was a loaded 9mm. Had just moved cross country and forgot I stuffed it in my backpack for the drive,” they wrote,” a third wrote.
As it turns out, despite clear guidelines, sometimes passengers mistakenly bring some prohibited items. And while it doesn’t always end with a hefty fine, it definitely creates some trouble before you catch your flight.
