Even the most seasoned travelers occasionally forget to check their carry-on luggage for items prohibited by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). If you arrive at the security checkpoint and TSA agents find a pocket knife, Leatherman, or scissors in your bag, what can you do?
Should I turn in my prohibited item?
The answer to this question depends on where you are and how long you have. Here are some options to consider.
Ask the TSA agent if you can return to the check-in counter to place your item in your checked luggage
This option will only work if your airline is willing to pull your checked luggage (the one you have already left), if the item in question is allowed in checked luggage, and if you have a long time before your flight. Missing your flight to avoid turning in an inexpensive item like a pocket knife or cigarette lighter might not be in your best interest. ( Hint: If you have an extra bag with you and that bag has a zipper closure, you can put the prohibited item in that bag, assuming it can be searched.
Add an item of clothing or something else from your carry-on and check the bag. You may have to pay a checked bag fee to do this.)
Take the item to your parked car
Again, it will take a long time for this option to work, particularly if you have parked far from the terminal building. If you are traveling during the winter or summer months, make sure you can leave the item in extreme hot or cold conditions while you are away.
Give the item to someone else for safekeeping
Give your item to someone else, such as the person who brought it to the airport. This option will only work if the person dropping you off is still at the airport or close enough to return to the terminal to assist you.
Send the item home
Some airports in the US and Canada have post offices in one or more terminals. This option will only work if the post office is open when you are at the airport, you have time to find the post office and mail your item, and you have mailing supplies on hand. Some airports offer mail service kiosks at select TSA checkpoints (see list below). At these self-service kiosks, you can purchase a mailing envelope, usually 6-inch by 9-inch, and use your credit card to pay for shipping your item home.
Some travelers purchase prepaid envelopes or boxes from the United States Postal Service and pack them in their carry-on bags. Then, if the TSA decides that a certain item cannot go through the checkpoint, those travelers keep the prohibited item and mail it to them. If you decide to adopt this plan, make sure your departure airport has a mailbox in your airline’s terminal building.
Deliver the item to the security screening checkpoint
The TSA will collect your prohibited item and dispose of it in accordance with the Government Services Administration rules. Typically this means your item will be thrown away, but some airports donate helpful items to community organizations, such as schools. In some states, items collected at security checkpoints are auctioned or sold.
Be creative
In the absence of other alternatives, you may want to take drastic action if you are willing to take any risks. Some travelers have buried pocket knives in the potting soil of a plant at the terminal or delivered their own knives to Lost and Found and recovered them after their trip. It is debatable whether these methods would actually work everywhere, and they certainly wouldn’t work for every type of prohibited item.
US Airports with Self-Service Return Mail Kiosks
Akron Canton airport
Albany International Airport (UPS)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Boston Logan International Airport
Bradley International Airport (at Paradies Shop)
Charleston International Airport (at the information desk)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Columbus Regional Airport
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas Love Field
Daytona Beach International Airport
Denver International Airport
El Paso International Airport
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Greater Rochester International Airport
Indianapolis International Airport
Jacksonville International Airport
Kansas City International Airport
Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
Orlando International Airport
Pensacola airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Raleigh Durham International Airport
Reno Tahoe International Airport
San Francisco International Airport
San jose international airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Aeropuerto Will Rogers World, Oklahoma City
Airports with luggage storage / shipping services
Vancouver International Airport
