Wed, Jul 07, 2010
Soldiers Often Pack Inert Battlefield Souveniers In Their
Luggage
The Transportation Security Administration is reminding
military members that explosives are not allowed on commercial
flights. TSA spokesman Lauren Gaches said agency workers
occasionally encounter servicemembers who have packed inert
grenades or other prohibited items in their luggage, often as a
keepsake from the battlefield.
"The problem is, when you're looking at that through an X-ray
machine, you can't tell the difference" as to whether it could
explode, she said. Servicemembers traveling with prohibited items
is not a common problem, but it can be disruptive, Gaches said.
"From time to time, we see folks traveling with this type of
material, and it has to be surrendered," she said, adding that such
items are not returned.
If security officers find prohibited items, they may have to
close checkpoints or baggage areas temporarily, or call in bomb
squads, Gaches said. Prohibited items include blasting caps,
dynamite, fireworks, flares, hand grenades and explosives, either
real or replicated. TSA permits other items such as firearms and
ammunition in checked luggage - not carry-on baggage - but airlines
may be stricter, according to the TSA website. A full list of
TSA-prohibited items is
available online.
"At TSA, we salute the men and women of our armed forces and
thank them for their service to our country," Gaches said in a
prepared statement. "We always look forward to partnering with our
servicemembers during the security screening process as we strive
to achieve our mutual mission of protecting our homeland."
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