Roberta Aguirre
Airport security is a necessary inconvenience for travellers, but why do some bags get searched and others don't? There are a few reasons why your luggage might be searched at the airport. Firstly, if the X-ray scanner detects something suspicious, your bag will be sent for a secondary search where a TSA officer will open and inspect the bag by hand. This could be triggered by something as simple as a large quantity of peanut butter, which shows up on X-rays as similar to explosives. Other innocent items that can cause alarm include large quantities of liquids, dense metals, and even books, especially if the paper is shiny.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dense organic matter | ChapStick, lip balm, books, magazines with shiny pages, peanut butter, large bags of sugar/salt/pepper/seasonings, toothpaste, chocolate, skin cream, shampoo, soap |
| Shield alarms | Metal objects, leaded crystal glass, metal camera tripods, hiking or tent poles |
| Prohibited items | Firearms, ammunition, alcohol over 140 proof, arc lighters, plasma lighters, electronic lighters, bear spray, butane curling irons, canisters or cartridges that create smoke, caustic materials, carbon dioxide cartridges, detonators, fuses, power banks, vehicle airbags, stun guns, short-barrelled firearms, bullets |
| Things that look like prohibited items | Inert/deactivated weapons, toy weapons, water guns, nerf guns |
| Lithium batteries | More than 100Wh |
Dense organic matter
Similarly, a single book usually won't cause a disturbance, but if you carry a stack of books, the mass of organic matter can present a problem for airport scanners. Some say that the shinier the paper, the more trouble for the scanner, but separating books can help avoid this issue.
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Prohibited items
When travelling, it is important to be aware of prohibited items that cannot be taken on an aeroplane, either in carry-on luggage or checked baggage. Prohibited items are those that could pose a threat to civil aviation, such as items that can start a fire or explode on board an aircraft.
The following items are prohibited and should not be packed in your luggage:
- Alcohol over 140 proof
- Ammunition, propellant powder, and gunpowder
- Arc lighters, plasma lighters, electronic lighters, and e-lighters
- Bear bangers and bear spray
- Butane curling irons (cordless)
- Canisters or cartridges that create smoke
- Caustic materials, including acids
- Carbon dioxide cartridges and other compressed gases
- Detonators and fuses
- Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices
- Engine-powered equipment with residual fuel
- English Christmas crackers
- Firecrackers and fireworks
- Gasoline, propane, and diesel
- Lithium batteries with more than 100-watt hours
- Mines, grenades, and other military supplies
- Power banks and power chargers
- Recreational oxygen (non-medical)
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- Strike-anywhere matches
- Vehicle airbags
- Devices designed to stun or immobilise, such as tasers, stun batons, or animal stunners
- Chemicals, gases, and sprays such as mace, pepper spray, tear gas, acid sprays, and animal repellent sprays
- Firearms with short barrels
- Foam toy swords, water guns, and Nerf weaponry
- Bullets and live ammunition
In addition to these prohibited items, it is important to note that sharp objects should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors. It is also recommended to separate items like foods, powders, and materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. Organising your luggage and keeping it uncluttered can help ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.
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Lithium batteries
When packing lithium-ion battery-powered devices in carry-on baggage, it is essential to take several precautions. Firstly, spare lithium batteries and power banks should always be transported in carry-on baggage and individually protected to prevent short circuits. Additionally, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices must be carried in the cabin and are prohibited from being recharged during the flight. Furthermore, all portable electronic devices containing lithium batteries should be completely switched off and protected from accidental activation when packed in checked baggage.
It is worth noting that some lithium-ion-powered devices may be permitted in checked baggage, depending on the size and type of battery. However, specific regulations and restrictions may apply, and it is advisable to check with the airline beforehand. Overall, passengers should prioritize safety and adhere to the guidelines provided by the airline and aviation authorities when travelling with lithium-ion batteries.
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Unfamiliar objects
Dense organic matter sometimes raises flags, and even though the TSA lists ChapStick as an approved item, its organic ingredients may attract the curiosity of inspectors. Similarly, a stack of books can also present a problem for scanners. The shinier the paper, the more trouble for the scanner.
Many metals can also form a shield around objects, making it impossible for scanning equipment to see through. Metal sheets or objects that could serve as a scanning barrier may trigger a hand search.
Other unfamiliar objects that have triggered bag searches include:
- Large bags of sugar, salt, pepper, and seasonings
- Large quantities of liquids (shampoo, dish soap, etc.)
- Large chocolate bars
- Bar soap (due to its density)
- Adult toys
- Food items like flour tortillas, sealed in plastic bags
- Magazines in a bundle (the shiny rotogravure paper can trigger the scanner)
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X-ray flags
X-ray baggage scanners are essential tools for security systems, especially in airports. They use X-rays to generate images of the contents within luggage, which are then displayed on a monitor for security personnel to analyse. Interpreting the colours on the X-ray baggage scanner is crucial for identifying potential threats.
Organic Alarms
Organic alarms are triggered when the X-ray scanner detects something suspicious that a human screener cannot determine. This could be dense organic matter, such as large quantities of peanut butter, sugar, salt, pepper, seasonings, toothpaste, chocolate, liquids, books, magazines with shiny pages, or skin cream.
Shield Alarms
A shield alarm is triggered when the X-ray scanner cannot penetrate an object in the luggage. This could be caused by dense and/or thick metals or leaded crystal glass.
Prohibited Items
Prohibited items include anything that could pose a threat to aviation safety, such as weapons, chemicals, and flammable liquids. This includes scissors, lighters, car airbags, pool cues, firearms, knives, explosives, and other weapons.
Undeclared Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and ammunition are easy to spot on an X-ray image, and screeners are trained to identify disassembled guns.
Dense Objects
Dense objects, such as microphones, may require a manual inspection as they can be difficult for X-ray scanners to penetrate.
Powders
White powders may cause a security agent to double-check your luggage to ensure they are not illegal substances.
Fake Weapons
Even obviously fake weapons, such as foam swords and water guns, are banned from carry-on luggage and may trigger a bag search.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours may require special permission from the airline and are never allowed in checked luggage.
Old Barcode Stickers
Old barcode stickers on luggage may confuse the baggage handling system, leading to a manual search.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common reason for a bag search is that something in your luggage has been flagged as suspicious by the X-ray scanner. This could be because the item looks like a prohibited item or an explosive, or because the scanner cannot see through it.
Prohibited items include hazardous materials, firearms, sharp objects, and ammunition.
Items that are dense or metallic are likely to be flagged. This includes large quantities of liquids, peanut butter, large chocolate bars, and stacks of books.
If your bag is flagged for a search, it will be sent for a "Secondary Search" where it is opened and searched by hand. These searches take place in special rooms at the back of the airport and are performed by specially trained TSA officers.
To avoid having your bag searched, do not pack dense or metallic items. You should also be aware that some items, like laptops, will always be flagged for an explosive check.
