Woman Attempts to Bring 'Extremely Concerning' Number of Prohibited Items on Flight — Including 82 Fireworks

Mar. 15, 2025

TSA.gov

It takes a lot to shock airport security — but one recent flyer managed to do just that.

After a passenger attempted to board a flight atLos Angeles International Airport (LAX)on Sunday, Dec. 15 with a bag brimming with prohibited items, theTransportation Security Administration (TSA)shared a photo of its contents as a “visual reminder of what not to bring to the security checkpoint.”

The agency also explained the circumstances of the contraband-filled carry-on in apress release.

At about 10 p.m. local time, a security officer flagged a piece of luggage at Terminal 4 for a bag check after an X-ray revealed that its contents included “multiple prohibited items,” TSA said. “When the bag was opened with the passenger present, the TSA officer was shocked at its contents.”

A stock image of a TSA security checkpoint at LAX.Getty

Getty

The carry-on, which belonged to a female passenger traveling to Philadelphia, contained 82 consumer-grade fireworks — and that was just the beginning.

Upon discovering the prohibited items, TSA notified the Los Angeles World Airport police department, who confiscated the woman’s fireworks and interviewed her. The agency did not share any further details about the passenger or why she had the items in her luggage.

“The sheer number of prohibited items discovered in a single carry-on bag is extremely concerning,” LAX TSA Federal Security Director Jason Pantages said in the statement.

“This traveler should have followed TSA’s tried and true advice - unpack your bag before you pack it to ensure you don’t bring any prohibited items to the security checkpoint,” Pantages continued. “We are in the midst of the holiday travel season when security checkpoints will be busy everywhere.”

The security director added that he hopes this incident serves as a reminder to “double-check the contents of your bag prior to coming to the airport.”

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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).Getty

Also in the press release, TSA issued reminders about the specific items uncovered in the LAX incident.

As a type of explosive, fireworks “are never allowed on board an aircraft in carry-on or checked luggage,” TSA stated. Knives and replica firearms, meanwhile, “should travel in checked baggage.”

As for pepper spray, one 4-ounce container is “permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge.”

source: people.com