When preparing for a flight, most travelers focus on packing efficiently and staying within size limits. But beyond the obvious rules, there are several surprising items you are not allowed to bring in your carry-on bag.
From innocent-looking toys to certain everyday essentials, the TSA has strict guidelines to ensure safety in the skies.
Many of these restrictions catch passengers off guard, leading to last-minute delays at security checkpoints.
Before you head to the airport, take a closer look at these 16 surprising items that must stay out of your carry-on to avoid any unwanted surprises.
1: Baseball Bats
For baseball fans who are eager to perfect their batting skills and want to travel light, you may need to think again.
TSA doesn’t permit baseball bats in the cabin. The reason provided is to reduce the risk of them being used as weapons.
This means if you plan to travel with a baseball bat, it will need to go into your checked luggage rather than your carry-on. Checking with the official TSA website is always recommended for the most current rules.
2: Foam Toy Sword
While toys in carry-on bags are generally allowed, a foam toy sword is surprisingly not permitted in your carry-on.
This might be disappointing for kids hoping to bring their favorite toy aboard. However, there is a silver lining: kids are allowed to pack foam toy swords in their checked bags.
So, while it can’t fly with you in the cabin, it can still make the trip in your checked luggage. This specific rule highlights how even seemingly harmless items can be restricted in carry-on bags.
3: Gel Candles
When it comes to candles, the rules differentiate based on form. TSA allows passengers to bring solid candles in both carry-on and checked luggage.
However, gel candles are not permitted in carry-on bags. This suggests that the consistency of the gel is the determining factor for carry-on restrictions, similar to other liquid or gel-like items.
If you want to travel with candles and only have gel ones, you would need to pack them in a checked bag. Solid candles, on the other hand, face no such restriction in carry-on luggage.
4: Bowling Pins
If you just won a bowling tournament and want to take home a bowling pin as a trophy or souvenir, you’ll need a checked bag for that.
The source states that TSA prohibits bowling pins in your carry-on bag. The reason given is to prevent them from becoming a weapon.
While it might seem unusual, items that could potentially be used to cause harm are restricted in the cabin. Therefore, a bowling pin must travel in your checked luggage.
5: Magic 8 Ball
Similar to some snow globes, a Magic 8 Ball is another item that is not allowed in carry-on bags. The source explains that the liquid inside the ball doesn’t meet TSA regulations. This places the Magic 8 Ball in a category with other liquid-filled items that are restricted in carry-on luggage, likely due to the TSA’s rules on liquids, gels, and aerosols. Travelers who wish to bring home a Magic 8 Ball must pack it in their checked bag.
6: Samsung Galaxy Note7
This particular item has a very specific and strict restriction. It is prohibited to bring a Samsung Galaxy Note7 in any piece of luggage, whether it’s in your carry-on or beneath the plane in a checked bag.
The Department of Transportation banned this device due to it being a fire hazard. This is a complete ban on air travel for this specific model of phone. This underscores that some items are prohibited entirely due to safety risks.
7: Sling Shots
Passengers who are contemplating packing their slingshots in their carry-on bags must resist the urge. The source explicitly states that TSA only permits slingshots and catapult-like items in checked bags.
This restriction is likely due to their potential use as weapons or projectiles. Therefore, if a slingshot is part of your travel gear, it must be packed away safely in your checked luggage for the duration of the flight.
8: Spray Paint
Spray paint is listed as a definitive “hard no” by TSA. This prohibition applies to both checked and carry-on bags. The reason cited is the presence of a flammable propellant, which makes them hazardous.
Because of this flammability risk, spray paint is not allowed on the plane at all, regardless of where it’s packed. The source suggests that if you need spray paint at your destination, you’ll have to buy it there.
9: Lacrosse Sticks
Lacrosse sticks are restricted in carry-on bags for a couple of reasons mentioned in the source. Aside from the fact that lacrosse sticks may be used as a weapon, their size is also a factor.
They are typically too large to fit comfortably on most plane cabins. Lacrosse sticks typically range from 37 to 72 inches, which exceeds standard carry-on dimensions. Therefore, lacrosse sticks must be transported in checked baggage.
10: Gel Heating Pads
Similar to gel candles and the Magic 8 Ball, gel heating pads are also a no-go in carry-on bags. The source states that gel products of most kinds are restricted in carry-on bags.
The reason given for this restriction is that gel is considered too similar to a liquid. This falls under the general category of TSA’s rules regarding the quantity of liquids and gels permitted in carry-on luggage.
If you need a heating pad while traveling, a non-gel type or packing a gel one in a checked bag would be necessary.
11: Medical-Clinical Thermometer
Medical-clinical thermometers are only allowed in a passenger’s checked bag. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permits one medical-clinical thermometer per person.
Due to the mercury found within the thermometer, it must be in a protective case when packed. While medical items are often given special consideration, a mercury thermometer is specifically restricted to checked luggage and requires careful packaging. This is due to the hazardous nature of mercury.
12: Liquid Bleach
Liquid bleach is another item that is prohibited in both checked and carry-on bags. The source notes that this is regardless of TSA’s fluid sizing parameters. This means that even in small quantities typically allowed for liquids in carry-on bags, liquid bleach is completely banned from air travel.
The source suggests that passengers who want to clean while traveling should purchase liquid bleach at their destination rather than attempting to bring it with them. This highlights that some hazardous materials are simply not allowed on planes at all.
13: Rocket Launcher
While it might seem like common sense, the source includes rocket launchers on the list of prohibited items. It notes that though some people have tried, rocket launchers aren’t allowed on planes, or even near them.
This is categorized as being about as common sense as it gets for this list. This serves as an example of an obviously dangerous weapon that is strictly forbidden in all areas of air travel.
14: Cattle Prod
A cattle prod, described as a handheld device used to get livestock to move, is allowed in checked bags. However, travelers are not permitted to bring them in carry-on bags.
The source humorously questions why you would want to bring one in a carry-on anyway. Like other items with potential to be used offensively, cattle prods are restricted from the cabin but can be transported in checked luggage.
15: Vehicle Airbags
Vehicle airbags are another item that TSA doesn’t allow on planes at all. They are banned from both checked and carry-on luggage.
The source describes this restriction as potentially disappointing. Airbags contain explosive components that are used for rapid inflation, making them hazardous for air travel.
Therefore, like spray paint or liquid bleach, vehicle airbags are completely prohibited from being brought onto or beneath the plane.
16: Tactical Pen
Tactical pens are designed to serve as self-defense weapons because they have sharp tips. Naturally, passengers are not allowed to bring these items in their carry-on bags.
The presence of a sharp, weapon-like tip leads to their restriction in the cabin. However, the source states that the TSA has no issue with travelers carrying tactical pens in their checked bags.
This means they can travel with you, provided they are securely packed in your checked luggage.
Alicia Richards