Hopefully, They Used Small Words

This should be a no-brainer... but there are evidently still enough people out there who try to carry fireworks in their luggage when travelling -- especially with the Fourth of July holiday fast approaching -- that the FAA has issued a friendly reminder that it is against the law to transport explosives on a plane.

"They do pose great danger in the air, so it's unfortunate that aircraft don't have the opportunity to just pull over," FAA Hazardous Materials Agent Junie Abbott told Miami's WPLG-10.

While there haven't been any actual occurrences of fireworks igniting in flight, FAA officials say even the slightest shift of luggage might cause enough friction to ignite such devices.

Abbott cited two unrelated events -- from 2000 -- at the Miami Airport as examples. In June of that year, a checked bag broke open at the bottom of the baggage chute as it was about to be loaded on the plane. Baggage handlers discovered fireworks inside -- which led to the flight being delayed as two passengers were denied boarding, and the rest of their luggage was searched. Crews found 20 pounds of fireworks in their luggage.

One month earlier, another airline found two bags of fireworks in a checked bag that also contained party supplies.

Just in case you had forgotten, federal law prohibits passengers from bringing fireworks -- or ANY explosive devices -- on a plane, either as a carry-on or as checked luggage. Violators face a penalty of up to $250,000 and/or as many as five years in prison.

FMI: www.faa.gov