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It's been a busy summer at airports across the country. Even with the World Cup rush behind us, the Transportation Security Administration has been screening more than 2 million passengers daily as Americans and visitors alike embark on a season of travel.
That's a lot of luggage for security screeners to clear.
While officers have spent the bulk of their time fishing out full water bottles and family-size sunscreens from our carry-ons, they've also stopped some more bizarre items from getting on airplanes. Here are TSA's most noteworthy catches of the summer so far.
Live smoke grenades
Do you like your peanut butter crunchy, smooth or … smokey? At the end of June, officers at Indianapolis International Airport caught two live smoke grenades in a traveler's checked bag - one of which was submerged inside a jar of peanut butter. In case you're wondering - no, you are not allowed to travel with grenades of any kind.
An inert grenade
No peanut butter this time; instead, a traveler on June 15 simply stashed an inert grenade right in their carry-on bag and headed for a flight at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. TSA officers had to evacuate and close the security checkpoint and call an explosive specialist and airport law enforcement, who determined the device was not at risk of exploding.
A replica bomb and mine
It was a busy start to June for TSA officers in Ohio. In the span of a week, they discovered a training aid anti-tank mine in a carry-on at the Dayton International Airport, followed by a realistic replica pipe bomb - also in a carry-on - at Rickenbacker International. Even though neither were technically weapons, they're still terrifying, and not allowed in either checked or carry-on luggage.
Five stolen cannonballs
Last week at Alabama's Gulf Shores International Airport, a TSA officer named Justin Dupree found not one, not two, but five small cannonballs wrapped in paper towels inside a traveler's checked bag. While cannonballs do not contain explosives, these were still considered contraband. The projectiles were stolen from Fort Morgan, a historic site about 25 miles from the airport that was attacked by the British in the War of 1812. In a press statement, Dupree said he'd never seen anything "quite this unique," describing the find as "an Indiana Jones-esque stolen artifact-type situation."
A samurai sword
In case no one has told you: No matter how nicely you pack up your sword, you are not allowed to bring it with you on a flight as a carry-on. You can, however, transport one in your checked bags. A traveler learned this lesson in June, when officers at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas intercepted a more than three-foot-long samurai sword they'd packed in a guitar case. Luckily for the warrior-in-training, they were allowed to return to their airline's ticketing counter and check the weapon, instead.
Fireworks
Given our nation's gusto for decorative explosives every July, it should come as no surprise that there's an uptick in TSA fireworks finds every summer (the agency says they see another spike around New Year's Eve). But not only are fireworks not legal in all states, they are also at risk of detonating during a flight and not allowed on board in checked or carry-on luggage.
Ranch dressing. Lots of it.
Weapons and explosives aside, the recurring find that defined the summer was ranch dressing, which captured the hearts of international World Cup travelers. Countless bottles of buttermilk goodness were confiscated thanks to TSA's liquids rule. If you'd like to take some ranch on your upcoming travels, remember to decant it into containers of 3.4 ounces or less (you could pack as many minis that will fit into a quart-size plastic bag) or bring a full-size bottle in your checked bag.
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