Tue, Dec 18, 2007
In Case You Were Wondering, Hermit Crabs ARE Banned
And now, for the lighter side of
commercial airline travel. With the influx of travelers over the
holiday season have come even more unusual objects making their way
into carry-on luggage, and TSA break-room stories.
Among the more conventional -- but still banned -- objects
recently reported by security screeners at Newark International
Airport were nine bottles of wine; three sets of kitchen knives; a
replica antique gun; and golf clubs and baseball bats. A belt with
fake bullets and martial-arts weapons also made their way into
security bins.
"Every day is a surprise," screener Janice Hnyda told The
Associated Press.
There's also an ample supply of the surreal... including a
two-headed snake, found in a carry-on bag in Newark. Several hermit
crabs were confiscated in San Antonio, from a family returning from
the Gulf of Mexico. And then there's our personal favorite -- 10
human eyeballs, discovered in a carry-on bag at Chicago O'Hare,
reportedly being transported for medical purposes.
Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lara Uselding
said the agency can often make accommodations for unusual items,
with advanced notice. For example, the two-headed snake -- which
was on its way to an appearance on the "Live With Regis and Kelly"
morning show, with a zoo curator -- was ultimately checked.
Despite the Clampett-esque nature of the above examples,
screeners are more often confronted with more understandable
breeches in carry-on security. In recent weeks, screeners have had
to confiscate such holiday-related items as canned pumpkin pie
filling, honey, and snow globes from baggage at checkpoints.
Wrapped gifts are also frowned upon, since screeners may have to
unwrap them to check the contents -- and they're under no
obligation whatsoever to do so carefully.
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