TSA officials had found yet another prohibited item inside a carry-on luggage. The individual who attempted to hide the item put quite a bit of thought into concealing it inside the sole of a flip-flop.
According to reports, the discovery was made at Washington Dulles International Airport on March 30. The agents at the airport were able to stop the traveler from catching his flight with this prohibited item.
A TSA spokesperson for the Northeast division revealed that a utility blade had been hidden within the sole of a flip-flop, right underneath the cushion bed. The official X (formerly Twitter) also shared a photo of it, sparking some interesting reactions from the followers.
Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson, wrote, “A good example of why TSA requires travelers to remove their footwear to be screened via X-ray.” She further confirmed that the flyer who committed the offense was denied entry through security. However, in such cases, the traveler would be generally allowed to catch his flight, but the item would be confiscated.
It is important to note that the agency can definitely impose civil penalties on passengers. Their website strictly mentions all the prohibited items that could result in a hefty fine if attempted to be carried inside the airport. For example, carrying a knife could lead to a fine of up to $2,570, especially if the individual is a repeat offender. If you are carrying other prohibited items such as explosives or loaded guns, you could risk a penalty as high as $17,000. There could also be a criminal referral in such cases.
You can check the details about all prohibited items along with the penalties for them on the Transportation Security Administration‘s official website. The agency also has a list for sharp objects that could be carried inside the check-in baggage but not carry-on. For examples, things like box cutters, cockscrews with blade, darts, kirpans, ice picks, knives, e.t.c. could be carried only inside your check-in baggage.
This is just one instance as TSA keeps making such discoveries and subsequently issues a warning to other passengers regarding the same. On May 15, the agency made a tweet with a picture of a hat. They revealed that a TSA official with the name Boston Logan found a razor blade hidden inside the hat.
Hat’s off to our officers at @BostonLogan for finding this razor blade hidden in a hat. That’s one cutting-edge accessory that should stay home.
Don’t put the blinders on when it comes to the rules, @AskTSA can help. Just text “HATTER” to (275-872) with your travel questions. pic.twitter.com/HmIOpFxjqY
— TSA (@TSA) May 14, 2025
“Don’t put the blinders on when it comes to the rules,” the official X account of the agency wrote, warning passengers against attempting to carry such sharp objects in their carry-on.
These discoveries were made just months after the Abolish TSA Act was introduced by Republican Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Timmy Tuberville of Alabama. This act intends to dismantle the agency and favor privatized security at facilities where the TSA currently operates.
After the bill was introduced, Rep. Jared Moskowitz mocked the Abolish the TSA Act, saying that “Bin Laden” would approve it.
