I am not ashamed to admit that I love browsing Instagram.
Whenever I want to be inspired by new travel destinations or find sweet #avgeek photographs, swipe on over to Instagram and check out the latest pics (shameless plug: you can follow us on IG via @_StandbyWithMe).
There are some great Instagram accounts out there that are absolutely worth following, but one of my absolute favorites is @TSA.
Yes, that TSA. The blue-shirted people who prevent us from taking a bottle of water through security are the same people behind the funniest accounts on my feed.
So what is the TSA posting on Instagram?
The Transportation Security Administration’s main Instagram objective is to inform travelers of current security policies in a light-hearted manner. Their social media strategy brilliantly accomplishes this by combining cute pictures of TSA dogs & absurdly ridiculous items that get confiscated by their staff.
That makes for some great content.
Every single picture of contraband that TSA posts is accompanied by cringe-y dad jokes & terrible puns. It’s goofy, it’s silly, and it’s just downright fun. I expect everyone who stumbles upon this site knows what to pack in their perfect carry-on bags when flying, but that won’t stop us from digging through the past 12 months of TSA’s Instagram feed to find the most outlandish contraband from the year 2020.
Ready to jump in? Here are some of the craziest things that have popped up on TSA’s Instagram feed so far this year.
1. Baby Shark
What is more 2020 than somebody trying to sneak a real baby shark onto a commercial aircraft?
Nothing about this scenario makes sense to me, and that’s why we put this one at the top of the list.
2. Carving Fork
Don’t you hate it when you travel home from Thanksgiving and accidentally leave a massive carving fork in your carry-on bag? Me too.
3. Ninja Throwing Star
If I had a nickel for every ninja star that TSA has confiscated over the years, I would be able to buy my own set.
Don’t try to bring weapons on a plane. You are not, and never will be, a flying ninja.
4. Cane Dagger
Somebody come get their uncle. This tomfoolery must be stopped!
5. Roman Candle Fireworks
Airplanes are cool. Fireworks are cool. Airplanes & fireworks together? Not cool at all.
6. Sourdough Starter
I am still not sure how it happened, but everyone on the internet collectively got together and voted unanimously that baking sourdough bread at home was the new cool thing.
I’m not mad about it (I got to enjoy a ton of great home-baked bread this year!). Just be careful; apparently it counts as a liquid and will get snatched by the folks in blue if you try to take your sourdough baby through a security checkpoint.
7. Smoke Grenade
I don’t know why someone would ever find themselves needing to use a smoke grenade, but I can promise that “on an airplane” is not a valid answer.
8. Wooden Slingshot
I might have to disagree with the TSA on taking this one away.
How great would it be to watch flight attendants slinging peanuts & Biscoff cookies around the cabin on your next flight? Think of the possibilities!
9. Mermaid Knife
I am positive that knife confiscations are a daily occurrence at TSA checkpoints across the country, but I think this mermaid-themed knife deserves some extra attention.
The knife may be Instagram-worthy, but the last place you want to see this end up is on TSA’s IG feed.
10. Fake Guns
Nothing good can come from bringing model guns onto an airplane. I dare you to try coming up with a reason for this one.
Spoiler alert: you can’t.
11. Real Guns
Stop. Irresponsible. Gun. Owners. Now.
Final Thoughts
This is just a sample of the random & bizarre items that TSA agents in our airports have to deal with on a regular basis.
If you have an Instagram account, do yourself a favor and give our friends at TSA a follow to find more pictures like this (along with some great TSA puppy content).
Have you seen anything peculiar get confiscated while going through a TSA security checkpoint? Share your story with us!
