Does TSA Ever Find Anything?…YES!!!
Nine Moments That Made TSA Shake Its Head in 2025
1. A handgun inside a guitar case
The X-ray screen lit up like a bad action movie. At Newark, officers found a handgun tucked neatly inside a guitar case. The passenger insisted it was a gift and claimed total ignorance. TSA officer Gabrielle Connor-Findley heard the familiar refrain. Airports are full of surprises. Excuses are not one of them.
2. Throwing stars
Yes, actual throwing stars. When metal blades appeared on the screen, Connor-Findley paused, blinked, and looked again. Some images demand a double take. Some demand three.
3. A flashlight that was also a taser
At Baltimore/Washington International, a harmless-looking flashlight revealed itself as a stun gun. Designed to deceive, it turned an ordinary screening into a deliberate puzzle.
4. A knife hidden in a belt buckle
Another BWI passenger wore their weapon in plain sight. The buckle snapped open. Police were called. Boarding times quietly evaporated.
5. A comb that doubled as a knife
Back at Newark, a money-patterned comb concealed a blade. Clever design didn’t matter. Screening has no loopholes.
6. A Montessori toy mistaken for a bomb
At Newark Terminal A, wires and switches triggered alarms. It was a children’s toy. Law enforcement responded anyway. Context matters, but caution wins.
7. Crystal meth hidden in candles
In San Francisco, wax candles melted into something far more serious. TSA joked online. The handoff to police was no joke.
8. A live turtle in a passenger’s pants
The turtle survived. The passenger didn’t fly. Enough said.
9. Fourteen inert rocket grenades
Fake or not, realistic weapons cause real delays. TSA’s advice was simple: leave them at home.
TSA trains for worst-case scenarios because hesitation costs time. In 2025, the rules were clear. Someone still tried it anyway.
Doug O’Brien
