The Transportation Security Administration confiscates countless items from travelers every day. It's no different at Indianapolis International Airport.
It's all too common for someone to go through a TSA checkpoint only to have a screener find something that can’t go on the plane. Usually it’s something common, like a bottle of lotion or hand sanitizer.
"I had to give up my artificial nail glue," said a woman flying to Orlando, Florida.
Other items are out of the ordinary. Screeners have found everything from baseball bats to a miniature pick-axe. All of those items were taken at the airport over the last few months.
"We tend to see quite a few brass knuckles," said Aaron Batt with TSA. “Our screeners have also found a meat tenderizer, brass knuckles, even a car jack.”
Believe it or not, that wasn't the strangest thing Batt has seen his screeners confiscate.
"Somebody actually brought a chainsaw through the security checkpoint," said Batt.
Baseball bats and knives are just the tip of the iceberg. So far this year, 11 guns have been taken from the Indianapolis Airport checkpoints.
"Nationally we average about four guns a day,” said Batt.
Batt said most people say they forgot they had the items. Things like hunting knives or gardening tools are accidentally left in a pocket or bag. Those mistakes add up; TSA estimated that there are 5,000 pounds worth of items you can’t carry onto a plane taken away every year.
Because it happens so often, airports around the country have installed mini-mailboxes to keep you from having to give up your keepsakes for good.
According to Batt, there is one foolproof way to keep from having your belongings taken from you.
"Packing properly and preparing will expedite the process for everybody," said Batt.
Some items, like brass knuckles, are not illegal, but you can’t carry them on. Even a firearm can go on a plane if you follow the proper steps. All of these items will be turned over to the state and they are resold with the money going back to the state.
Click here to see and purchase items confiscated at the Indianapolis International Airport.
