TSA Seized 18-Tons Of Prohibited Items At Lauderdale's Airport
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – As the year wraps up and traveling is in full swing, airport officials want to remind travelers what, and what not to, pack inside carry-ons to avoid having your items seized.
"I had a pair of scissors once and a cigar cutter," said Joe Averbach.
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Mishaka Brown got caught with banned fruit.
"I was coming though and totally forgot about it. I was told that I had it there and they're listening to my story and I was fined," recalled Brown.
That's minor compared to all this stuff the Transportation Security Administration seized in Fort Lauderdale this year.
"One of the items that can never go in your checked or carry on is a grenade," said Sari Koshetz with the TSA. "It may seem obvious, but every month, somewhere in the country, someone brings a grenade and it possibly causes an evacuation."
More than 1.5 million travelers are expected to fly in and out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport during the holiday season—which runs through January 5th, the busiest day expected to be Sunday.
In 2014, a total of 36,000 pounds of prohibited items were collected at FLL checkpoints including 48 guns - four this week alone.
"The typical excuse for that is 'I forgot'," said BSO Captain Rou Liddicott. "Well 'I forgot' is not acceptable. Check your bag, theh check it again. It's hard to miss a firearm."
Airport officials showed off a box Tuesday filled with items collected in just the last three weeks. They're items you may not realize don't belong in your carry on.
"Your standard tools, screwdrivers," said Richard Pryor from the Broward Aviation Department.
"Obviously box cutters are not permitted or dive knives," he said while digging through the items in the box.
In case you're not sure, leave that machete behind, along with the brass knuckles, even the ones built into a fancy clutch, and the power saw has no place packed in your carry on either.
"Leave your gun, your machetes and your knives at home please," warned Koshetz.
TSA, airport security and along with the Broward Sheriff's Office want to provide air travelers with tips on the carry-on packing do's and don't's.
Officials say knowing what to, and not to pack can make travel less stressful, and possibly help avoid civil penalties of up to $11,000 from the TSA and criminal penalties from BSO.
Many items are allowed in your packed suitcases, but some are still banned. Click Here for a list.
Passengers are encouraged to check their bags before entering security to ensure they are not carrying prohibited items.
Firearms, prohibited in a carry-on, may be transported in checked baggage so long as it is declared to the airline, the firearm is locked and unloaded, and in a hard-sided carrying case.
Passengers are also reminded that the 3-1-1 rule still applies to carry-on bags. Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container; must be in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag is permitted per passenger; and the plastic bag must be taken out of your suitcase and placed into a screening bin.
Officials ask that travelers declare larger liquids.
Medications, baby formula/food and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces, and they don't have to be in the zip-top bag, but they must be declared for inspection at the checkpoint. If in doubt, put your liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes in your checked baggage.
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