The Most Dangerous Items You've Managed to Bring on a Plane Since 9/11

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, forever changed air travel security. Despite the heightened scrutiny, some have successfully smuggled items past security checks. Here are a few tales from the past, where travelers found themselves in unexpected predicaments.

1. The Archery Gear Conundrum

Just 6 months after the attacks, I had a unique experience when traveling to Manchester to buy new archery gear. Returning to the U.K., I went through security and, when I informed them about my 3-piece bow, a security officer suggested that the bow might not be safe to bring aboard. To my surprise, he confiscated my bow but allowed me to carry a dozen 32-inch arrows. His reasoning was unclear, but this incident highlights how some security measures can seem overly cautious.

Lesson: Even non-threatening items may face scrutiny during security checks.

2. The Mysterious Cannabis Gummies

When I was 15, I managed to transport cannabis gummies from Washington D.C. to North Dakota, though it wasn't due to any intense danger. The experience itself was quite nerve-wracking, as you can imagine. This story, while not directly addressing the dangers of items brought on planes, shows how security measures can lead to significant stress for even harmless goods.

Lesson: Personal items, even non-dangerous ones, can trigger heightened security measures.

3. The Powerkite Passport

In my travels from the United Kingdom to Spain, I encountered substantial challenges with a powerkite. The ground stake, a metal tent peg, was confiscated, and the entire situation spiraled into a heated debate about whether the kite could be used as a parachute. The most shocking part was the lack of uniformity in security measures. During the same flight, I was allowed to keep a sealed water bottle and carry an unsealed water bottle with juice crystals without any issues. My pen, which looked suspicious due to its resemblance to a needle, and my pocket knife, which I had inadvertently left in my purse, resulted in no questions asked.

Lesson: Security protocols can vary widely, and even routine items might not face the same scrutiny.

4. The Chopstick Mishap

A year after 9/11, on a flight from the U.S. to Europe, I faced yet another security conundrum. My hair chopstick was confiscated, along with the sealed bottle of water from my connecting flight. This overreaction was understandable, given the heightened security, but the water bottle containing juice crystals was allowed. The pen that looked suspicious due to its resemblance to a needle and the pocket knife I had forgotten in my purse were both allowed to pass.

Lesson: Security officers' decisions can be inconsistent, leading to unexpected outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

Security measures after 9/11 are often overly cautious, and even non-threatening items can face scrutiny. Personal items, even those that seem harmless, can trigger heightened security measures and stress. The uniformity and consistency of security protocols can be inconsistent, leading to varied outcomes.

These stories illustrate the challenges and confusion surrounding air travel security in the years following the 9/11 attacks. While many items may seem harmless, the often-overcautious security measures can make even simple travel more complicated and stressful.