5 Bizarre Things People Have Tried To Bring On An Airplane

We've all been there: you slept through your alarm and now you're late for your flight to whatever tropical destination awaits you on the vacation you've been planning FOREVER now. You leap out of bed, throw on your loosest and comfiest of clothes, call a cab, race to the airport, check your bags... and then have to wait hours in line while someone with an x-ray machine grills someone about a tiny Swiss army knife that they forgot was in their pocket. UGH.

It's basically a fact that nobody likes dealing with the TSA when it comes time to catch a flight. Comedians have written routines about it, people have taken to the internet to complain, and all in all they just seem to exist to slow things down and make life more difficult for travelers.

Except that they're not. The truth is that the TSA actually do provide a pretty essential service for travelers, and while some of them really do decide to take things a bit too far, all it takes is a quick look at some of the things that people try to sneak through security to discover that maybe there's a reason for the excessive security checks.

The TSA recently took to their Instagram account to show off some of the things that they've had to confiscate over the last little while, and the results are both shocking and hilarious.

Because a derringer on a plane can't possibly go wrong...

This little firearm is known as the Snake Slayer. I know some of you have had it with those monkey-fighting snakes on your Monday to Friday planes, but firearms are prohibited as carry-on items. It was discovered in a carry-on bag at Tampa. ðŸðŸðŸ ... While firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags, you can pack them in your checked baggage as long as you meet the packing guidelines: bit.ly/travelingwithfirearms ... As a refresher, carry-on bags go into the cabin of the plane with you. Checked bags go into the cargo hold of the plane where passengers have no access. ... When firearms are discovered at the checkpoint, we contact law enforcement and they decide what happens based on background checks, interviews and local laws. ... A firearm at the checkpoint could lead to fines, arrests, missed flights or all of the above. As far as what happens to confiscated firearms, that's up to each local police department.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Dec 1, 2017 at 4:56pm PST

How about a cane that holds live bullets?

#CaptionThis ... While there was nothing hidden inside the replica .50 caliber bullet, there was a sword concealed within the cane. ... Both swords and replica bullets are not allowed in carry-on bags or on your person. They may be packed in checked luggage. ... Concealed swords such as this one can lead to fines and arrest. This was discovered with a traveler's carry-on items at Chattanooga (CHA).

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Nov 28, 2017 at 4:59pm PST

Nothing says the holidays quite like a freaking battle axe!

This Tampa (TPA) traveler may or may not have had a meeting with an unpardoned Turkey. Or perhaps he just had an axe to grind? Either way, please pack all axes and hatchets in your checked baggage. Have a great holiday! #Thanksgiving2017

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Nov 23, 2017 at 1:09pm PST

Who exactly needs a cleaver on an airplane?

I tried to find a cleaver pun for this post, but I didn't have any luck. This was discovered in a carry-on bag at the Jacksonville International Airport. Knives of any size are not allowed in carry-on bags. If traveling with a cleaver, you may pack it in a checked bag

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Oct 13, 2017 at 2:49pm PDT

Or a full-on GLAIVE?!

This weapon will not only help you defend yourself against Orcs, but it also allows you to butter two slices of toast at the same time! This one was discovered in a carry-on bag at Chicago Midway (MDW). Please pack items such as this in your checked bags.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jun 16, 2017 at 3:01pm PDT

Maybe we should be cutting the TSA some slack during this holiday season.