TSA Agent Reveals the Strangest Things Travelers Tried to Sneak Through Security—Here Are the Most Unbelievable

A Newark TSA agent reveals the most jaw-dropping items passengers tried to bring past security.

You never know what another traveler has packed in their carry-on or hidden behind their hotel room door. But for the brave men and women of the TSA, unearthing every strange and confusing item in passenger luggage is just another day on the job.

To find out about the most bizarre items passengers have tried to sneak past the metal detectors and conveyor belts, the New York Post recently spoke to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) TSA agent Gabrielle Connor-Findley. For the most part, the contraband she named wasn’t as interesting as the ways in which flyers had tried to sneak them past security.

For example, last fall TSA agents discovered a handgun hidden in a traveler’s guitar case when it went through EWR’s X-ray machine. “He said that the guitar case was a gift from someone else,” Connor-Findley said of the incident. “He had no idea that it was in there, which is something that we hear.”

“Clearly, the officers are paying really good attention and yeah, I’m super proud of that,” the agent added. “We are very well trained, we are really alert, and we care on top of [it] all.”

The EWR employee also recalled a hand knife disguised as a comb, a stun gun hidden in the shape of a flashlight, and a knife tucked away in a passenger’s belt buckle. 

One bizarre weapon find stood out to Connor-Findley simply because of how unusual it was. In December, Terminal A security found a stash of throwing stars. “It’s just not something that you see,” she told the New York Post of the incident. “You’re going to take a double, triple look. You’re like, ‘Is this what I think it is?’”

Although travelers have tried to sneak plenty of real banned items into the terminals, a case of mistaken identity last fall had the alarm bells ringing for what turned out to be a Montessori Children’s Switch Board Toy. The panel of switches and lights resembled an improvised explosive device (IED) to the TSA agents, who prompted a response from the law enforcement’s explosives specialist. 

According to Connor-Findley, harmless items like the toy frequently give security pause during inspections. “Sometimes it’s just the proximity to something else in the bag…[It] can really distort things,” she explained.

“We definitely come across household items, lots of different items that look like other things,” the TSA expert added. “But it’s great for everyone getting on that flight that it was just a box of cereal.”

Woman stuffs turtles in her bra before going through airport checkpoint, officials say

By ABC7 Staff

MIAMI, Fla. (WWSB) – TSA agents see lot of odd things, but an incident in Miami recently was strange enough to prompt a Facebook post.

“OK friends, please — and we cannot emphasize this enough — stop hiding animals in weird places on your body and then trying to sneak them through airport security,” the post said.

“No, really.”

A Florida woman traveling out of Miami International Airport recently tried to sneak a pair of turtles through a checkpoint by stuffing them in her bra, the TSA said.

One of the turtles died in the process, authorities said. The other was turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“We want you to be able to travel with your pets, and you turtle-ly can, but please travel with them safely,” the TSA wrote. “You can start by reaching out to your airline for their rules concerning pets on board flights. As far as TSA screening goes, small pets are allowed through our checkpoint but must be removed from any carriers and carried through the checkpoint (notice we said ‘carried’ and not ‘hidden underneath your clothing’).”

Warning! This Viral Hack to Sneak Extra Carry-On Items onto Your Flight Could Backfire

By Mariah Thomas

You’ll definitely want to read this before your next flight

We’ve all done it—squeezed our way through airport security, hoping no one notices that suspiciously overstuffed “personal item.” Who wants to shell out extra cash for checked-baggage fees, especially when you’re trying to pack your entire wardrobe into a carry-on?

Whether you’ve crammed in one too many outfits or you’re wrestling with limited space for electronics, toiletries and flight attire (those planes can get so chilly!), a clever travel hack has been helping fliers dodge those annoying extra bag charges. But there’s the catch: This viral trick could backfire big-time.

So what’s the hack everyone’s talking about, and why are airlines cracking down on it? Read on to find out before your next flight.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, fun facts, humor, cleaning and tech all week long.

What is the sneaky carry-on hack that’s gone viral?

@itsallashantiPlease get one now!! I’ve used it so much#travelhacks#traveltok#traveltiktok♬ original sound – where._.audios.come.from

Instead of cramming everything into your bag, grab a pillowcase and stuff it with soft items like T-shirts, leggings or swimsuits. Voila! You’ve got yourself a “travel pillow.” Most airlines don’t count pillows against your baggage allowance, so this clever disguise can let you board with an extra stash of clothes … with no added fee. Plus, stuffing your pillowcase with a hoodie or scarf gives you a soft, clean headrest for flights.

It’s been dubbed the ultimate budget travel hack by influencers who swear it’s helped them skip baggage costs time and time again. One TikTok user enthusiastically chimed in on a post, commenting, “Guys, this actually WORKS! I was skeptical at first, but I tried it—and it actually made it on the plane.”

And the best part? TSA typically doesn’t care. Yep—when you’re going through security, it’s not about what your stuff looks like; it’s about what you’re carrying. As long as everything inside your pillowcase is TSA-approved (think: clothes, not liquids or sharp items), you’re good to go … if you’re smart about it.

What’s the common mistake people make here?

The common mistake people make with this hack is overstuffing the pillowcase. When the pillowcase is clearly jammed with items, that’s where things get tricky. TSA is more concerned with what you’re carrying than how it looks (and the pillowcase will still go through the X-ray machine, of course), but agents may still decide to inspect it more closely if something seems off.

Here’s a pro tip: Neck pillows are a smarter choice for this hack. They’re compact, more discreet and typically breeze through security without raising eyebrows. What’s more, using fluffy or fur-covered pillowcases (like in the TikTok video above) takes this hack to the next level. The extra fluff helps conceal any lumps or irregular shapes, so the item is less likely to be flagged as problematic.

Do flight attendants care if you do this?

Think flight attendants aren’t watching? Think again. Flight attendants are doing more than just being friendly during boarding—they’re on high alert. As you walk down the jet bridge, they’re already scanning for oversized bags, sneaky extra items and, yes, even that oddly shaped “pillow” you’re clutching a little too tightly.

Interestingly, former flight attendant Arina Bloom once backed the hack in an interview with Business Insider, saying that “as long as there’s nothing prohibited inside, it’s totally fine.” But even if you manage to slip past the gate agent or the first crew member, there’s still a whole cabin crew on board. If they catch on, you could get called out in front of everyone, and your item could get a closer look—an embarrassing move if your pillowcase items are personal.

What will happen if you get caught?

Maybe nothing, maybe something. It really depends on who you’re dealing with. For example, airline staff may overlook this … or ask you to pay the baggage fee right there at the gate. And if you’re pulled over by TSA, you won’t get in trouble if it’s just clothes, but you might be asked to clarify what’s inside or even empty the pillowcase and repack—which could delay you and cause you to miss your flight.

There have also been cases in which passengers were escorted away from the gate for refusing to comply. As one TikTok user recounts, “I was at the airport and a girl in front of me did the same thing. They wouldn’t let her pass—unless she could fit the pillow in her bag.”

So if you’re going to try the hack, be smart about it. Have a payment method ready just in case, and don’t pack anything you can’t afford to lose—because you might end up tossing it in the trash to make your flight.

What are pillowcases also useful for when traveling?

Bringing a pillowcase is actually one of the most versatile travel hacks out there. It weighs practically nothing, takes up zero space and comes in handy in more ways than you’d expect, especially during summer travel when messes, sweat and last-minute beach stops are a given. Here are just a few of the ways that I—and many seasoned travelers—use a pillowcase on the go:

• Makeup bags: I keep a couple of older pillowcases on hand at home and use them as impromptu makeup bags when I travel. They’re soft, washable and perfect for wrapping around compacts and brushes so nothing breaks—or leaks—all over my clothes.

• Shoe bags: Wrap up your sneakers or sandals in pillowcases so they don’t get everything else in your suitcase dirty. And no, don’t use them as actual pillowcases after!

• Laundry bags: Pillowcases are perfect for keeping your dirty or damp clothes from mixing with clean ones. With this hack, you’ll have a handy laundry bag waiting for you at the hotel.

• Beach-tote liners: Throw your pillowcase into a straw bag to catch sandy flip-flops. You can also us it as a sun cover, makeshift towel and even a head wrap if you forget a hat at the beach.

• Packing-cube substitutes: Use your pillowcase to wrangle socks, undergarments or small items in your suitcase for better organization.

• Actual pillowcases: Yep, this is how pillowcases were meant to be used! I typically bring one for hotel stays because I don’t always trust the sheets or pillows. Slipping my own pillowcase over the hotel pillowcase gives me a little peace of mind and helps me sleep easier, especially in unfamiliar places.

RELATED:

• Here’s Why Flight Attendants Might Sit on Their Hands During Takeoff and Landing
• Here’s What It Means If You See Green Fluid on an Airplane Wing
• What REALLY Happens to Those Airplane Blankets and Pillows?

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.