It’s estimated that more than 5 billion people will travel by plane this year, and all of those people know that air travel is both a luxury and often uncomfortable and stressful. A lot of that stress involves getting through airport security, at least in the U.S. And one source of stress is figuring out what you can and can’t take with you on the plane. Everyone knows that liquids have to be 3.4 ounces or smaller (with some exceptions), and the fact that you can’t bring a firearm onto a plane doesn’t surprise anyone. But after that, things get blurry unless you’ve spent the last few days studying the TSA website.
If you do perform that research, you’ll quickly learn that some very surprising stuff is explicitly allowed onto a plane. Here are some of the weirdest things TSA agents won’t even blink at if you push them through security—just keep in mind that TSA reminds us, “The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.”
The list
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Parachutes. In news you either find hilarious or ominous, you are totally allowed to bring your own personal parachute onto a commercial flight (despite the fact that air travel remains the safest way to travel by a large margin). The chute has to be separate from your baggage, and you have to let the TSA inspect it in your presence—and be prepared to repack it afterwards.
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Human bones. You might wonder why you’d be traveling with a human skeleton or animal bones, but you just need to know that the TSA has confirmed more than once on social media that a properly packed and labeled skeleton or collection of animal bones is fine as long as the airline is prepared for it.
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Live fish (and lobsters). Live fish like goldfish in a clear, water-filled container are absolutely allowed onto planes (subject to inspection, whatever that means). The container can be larger than 3.4 ounces, which is confusing. You can also bring a live lobster or two in your checked luggage if that is something you, a normal person, would do.
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Snow globes. This is definitely something you won’t think about until you’re desperately transporting a dozen snow globes back home for the holidays, but in case you’re wondering, you can bring snow globes onto a plane. If they contain less than 3.4 ounces of liquid, they can be in your carry-on luggage. Otherwise, they’ll have to be checked.
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Geiger counter. Worried that you’ve been irradiated by security scanners? Or that your seatmate might be throwing off random particles? Rest easy: You can bring your Geiger counter on board with you.
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Shock collars. Yes, you can bring your favorite shock collar onto a plane as long as the airline allows it. If you don’t have a pet being trained with the collar, however, be prepared for some curious looks.
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Eggs. The question “why do you need fresh eggs in your luggage” is best left for smarter folks than us. If you happen to find yourself with a dozen eggs that you absolutely must bring with you to your destination, all you need to know is that it is allowed.
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Frozen food. Did you know that you can get around the 3.4 ounce rule for liquids by freezing them? It’s true! In fact, frozen stuff in general is allowed—but it can get tricky, because even a slight amount of melt can disqualify the food, and that includes ice packs being used to keep the food frozen.
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Antlers. Security at the airport will not blink an eye if you want to bring some antlers onto your flight. The airline, however, probably requires that those antlers fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you if you want them as carry-ons. And why wouldn’t you?
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Alcohol. Yes, you can bring booze on the plane, but there are rules. For carry-on, your alcoholic beverages have to adhere to the 3.4 ounce rule, and mini-bottles have to fit “comfortably” in a quart-sized plastic bag. For checked baggage, you can have unlimited booze that’s less than 24% alcohol (48 proof). For stronger stuff, you’re limited to 1.3 gallons, and it has to be in unopened retail packaging. One final caveat: Just because you can bring it on the plane doesn’t mean you can drink it on the plane. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) requires that alcoholic beverages be served by a flight attendant.
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Hookahs. Yes, you can bring your hookah on the plane. No, you cannot use it on the plane.
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Knitting needles. In the argument that most air travel security is theater we present: Knitting needles, which can absolutely be dangerous but are absolutely allowed onto your plane, as long as they’re sheathed or wrapped to prevent accidents when the TSA officers are inspecting your bags.
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Cakes and pies. If you like a mid-flight snack of an entire birthday cake or pecan pie, go for it—totally allowed. Whether you feel social pressure to share with TSA officers or fellow passengers is your problem—unless you check the cake either in your luggage or as a separate item, which is also allowed.
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Swords. Yes, if you possess a sword of some kind, whether a two-handed broadsword, a rapier, or a fencing foil, you can bring it on the plane—in checked baggage only. Just make sure it’s sheathed so no one gets cut inspecting your bags.
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Holiday lights. If you are going to need a string of colorful holiday lights the moment you touch down at your destination, no worries: You’re allowed to bring them in both carry-on and checked luggage.
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Auto parts. You can bring as many car parts as you like in both carry-on and checked luggage, as long as they are 100% free of fuel traces and will fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.
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Body armor. Now that you know swords and knitting needles are allowed on planes (and you’ve seen a few videos of passengers getting frisky with each other), you might be inspired to bring your body armor with you next time you fly. The good news? That’s totally allowed. The bad news? You can’t wear your body armor in the airport or on the plane. But you can have it with you if it makes you feel better.
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Electric blankets. If you want to be super cozy on your flight and find airplanes uncomfortably frigid once they’re in the air, you can bring an electric blanket through security and onto the plane. The bad news? If it’s a plug-in model, your airline probably won’t let you use it on the plane, even if there are outlets available. You can probably use a battery-powered blanket, however, just check with your airline first.
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Laser pointers. Putting aside the question of why you need to have a laser pointer with you at all times, yes, you can bring one on the plane with you.
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Spurs. If you’re living the sort of cowboy lifestyle that means you often find yourself with spurs in public places, don’t worry: You can toss them into your carry-on or check baggage without a problem.
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Lock picks. Nothing shady about this at all, at least as far as the TSA is concerned: Yes, you can bring lock picks onto the plane. If they’re shorter than 7 inches, they can go in your carry-on bags. Keep in mind that local laws may prohibit this even if the TSA doesn’t mind, so check with local law enforcement if you want to avoid trouble.