Going through the security lines is a big part of flying and let’s be honest: one that a lot of people dread. If you don’t have TSA Precheck, you’re balancing on one foot taking off your shoe, rushing to pull out your laptop computer and your little bag of liquids, and feeling the evil eye from people behind you in line being impatient. However, on the lighter side of security (the “already through side”), it’s fun to look at the quirky things you actually are allowed to bring through security, as reported by Condé Nast Traveler.
The oddest and most wonderful? You can bring back live lobsters from Maine so long as your airline allows them on board—if not, perhaps you can protest that this is your comfort lobster. The delicious denizen of the deep must be packed in a clear plastic container...and one that’s spill proof. We already had a problem with snakes on a plane; we don’t need big-clawed lobsters trolling the aisles and trying to crawl into the first class cabin.
Another fun one is a tattoo gun for inking up your own souvenir sleeve. These can go through checked bags, too (so long as they don’t have lithium batteries in them). Of course, the liquid ink that fuels the tattoo gun is limited to 3.4 ounces like your shampoo. (Curious which airport confiscates the most actual guns? It’s Atlanta).
While you can’t bring your chicken, you can bring her eggs. It will certainly add a whiff of danger (and maybe sulfur) to the trip down the conveyor belt, and hopefully, no one will squash your bag by trying to add theirs in the overhead compartment as we often see people doing. No one wants to walk on eggshells down the jetway so careful packaging will be key. As soon as you arrive: eggs benedict!
If you bring eggs, we hope you won’t also transport a bowling ball. Most bowling alleys offer a fine selection of the three-holed ponderous-weighted spheres, but if you just have to bring your own, it’s fine. It could even be fun to bring a few pins and get people involved in gate-side bowling if your flight’s delayed. Interestingly, although a bowling ball could surely be used as a blunt force weapon, other sports equipment that is more easily wielded has to go into checked baggage, like baseball bats and golf clubs.
You can bring your microwave with you on vacation. It’s...unusual, but hey, sometimes you really just need to reheat something the way you want it reheated. You’ll have to entertain other people behind you in line by removing it from the luggage to go on the conveyor belt (and hopefully, you cleaned out the interior from that latest lasagna reheating fiasco). You have to make sure your airline’s okay with it, too, and that it’ll fit in the overhead compartment for that particular plane.
We wish you the best on your journey with the quirkiest of carry-ons. Let us know how it goes!