Tampa airport reminds fliers to check prohibited items list in advance

20 Dec 2014 02:11:03

tbo.com

More than 13 years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that prompted sweeping changes in airport security, it's almost mind-numbing to see the number of knives, tools, fireworks and other assorted weapons collected at security checkpoints.

Tampa International Airport's Transportation Security Administration team on Thursday rolled out bins filled with blades, power tools, brass knuckles, a hunting bow, even a metal spider with serrated legs and a baby shark swimming in flammable formaldehyde. All of it was collected at security checkpoints here over the last six weeks.

And Tampa is No. 1 in the state and No. 7 in the nation for the amount of guns detected at airport security checkpoints.

With the holiday flying season going into full swing today, TSA wants people to think before they head to the airport, and read the rules for prohibited items.

It's not so much that people are intentionally bringing in illegal items, said Lee Kair, federal security director for TSA in this area. It's that they have become complacent all these years after the rules went into effect. Most of the items voluntarily abandoned at checkpoints could have legally been stowed in checked baggage. But they can't be carried onto a plane, he said.

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