TSO Prohibited Items Identification Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passenger's carry-on bag contains several spare lithium-ion batteries for a camera, each rated at 95 Wh. The batteries are individually protected in plastic cases. According to TSA and FAA regulations, what is the correct procedure for these items?
- The batteries must be placed in checked baggage.
- The batteries are permitted in carry-on baggage as they are under the 100 Wh limit and properly protected. (Correct answer)
- Only two spare batteries are permitted per passenger, regardless of their rating.
- The passenger requires specific airline approval to carry these batteries.
Correct answer: The batteries are permitted in carry-on baggage as they are under the 100 Wh limit and properly protected.
Spare (uninstalled) lithium-ion batteries with a rating of 100 watt-hours (Wh) or less are permitted in carry-on baggage. They must be protected from short-circuiting, for instance by being in their original retail packaging or by placing tape over the terminals. There is no limit on the quantity for personal use. They are strictly prohibited in checked baggage due to fire risk.
Question 2: During X-ray screening of a carry-on bag, a TSO identifies a container of peanut butter that is larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml). The passenger states it is a food item, not a liquid. How should the TSO classify and handle this item?
- Allow the item, as solid food is not subject to the 3-1-1 rule.
- Allow the item but require the passenger to put it in a separate bin for re-screening.
- Confiscate the item as all food products are prohibited in carry-on.
- Classify the item as a liquid/gel and subject it to the 3-1-1 liquids rule, offering the passenger options for disposal or checking. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Classify the item as a liquid/gel and subject it to the 3-1-1 liquids rule, offering the passenger options for disposal or checking.
TSA considers foods that are spreadable, such as peanut butter, creams, and pastes, to be subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule. If a container of such an item is larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml), it is not permitted in carry-on baggage and must be placed in checked baggage or disposed of.
Question 3: A passenger is traveling with a ceremonial knife (a Kirpan) for religious reasons and presents it at the checkpoint. Which of the following is the correct action for the TSO?
- Allow the item in carry-on baggage as it is a religious item.
- Inform the passenger that all knives, including religious ones, are prohibited in carry-on and must be transported in checked baggage. (Correct answer)
- Allow the item in carry-on, but only if the blade is less than 4 inches from the pivot point.
- Escort the passenger to a private screening area to verify the religious nature of the item before allowing it.
Correct answer: Inform the passenger that all knives, including religious ones, are prohibited in carry-on and must be transported in checked baggage.
TSA regulations state that religious knives, swords, and other objects with blades are not permitted through the security checkpoint. They must be properly packed in checked baggage. While TSOs should handle such items with respect, the prohibition on sharp objects in the sterile area applies.
Question 4: Which of the following items is permitted in a passenger's carry-on baggage, according to TSA guidelines?
- A single container of mace or pepper spray for self-defense.
- Tools such as a hammer and screwdrivers, as long as they are each less than 7 inches in length.
- A pocket knife with a blade length of 2.5 inches.
- Knitting needles and scissors with blades less than 4 inches from the pivot point. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Knitting needles and scissors with blades less than 4 inches from the pivot point.
Knitting needles are permitted in carry-on baggage. Scissors with a blade length of less than 4 inches from the pivot point are also allowed. Pepper spray and most tools are prohibited in carry-on. All knives, except for plastic or round-bladed butter knives, are prohibited.
Question 5: A TSO discovers firearm parts, specifically a slide and a magazine, in a passenger's carry-on bag during screening. The parts are separate, and there is no firearm frame or ammunition present. What is the correct determination?
- The items are permitted as they do not constitute a complete firearm.
- The items must be transported in checked baggage only. (Correct answer)
- The items are permitted, but the passenger must be escorted to the airline to declare them.
- The items must be surrendered as they are considered hazardous materials.
Correct answer: The items must be transported in checked baggage only.
TSA regulations explicitly state that firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts, firing pins, frames, and receivers, are prohibited in carry-on baggage. They may only be transported in checked baggage.
Question 6: A passenger wishes to travel with a self-defense spray. Under what specific conditions is this item permissible for air travel?
- It is allowed in carry-on baggage if the container is 3.4 oz or less.
- It is allowed in checked baggage only, in a container of 4 fl. oz. (118 ml) or less, and equipped with a safety mechanism. (Correct answer)
- It is allowed in either carry-on or checked baggage, provided it is declared to the airline.
- It is completely prohibited from air travel in any type of baggage.
Correct answer: It is allowed in checked baggage only, in a container of 4 fl. oz. (118 ml) or less, and equipped with a safety mechanism.
TSA permits one 4 fl. oz. (118 ml) container of mace or pepper spray in checked baggage only. A critical requirement is that the container must have a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. Self-defense sprays are prohibited in carry-on baggage.
TSO Prohibited Items Identification Questions and Answers 1
A passenger's carry-on bag contains several spare lithium-ion batteries for a camera, each rated at 95 Wh.
The batteries are individually protected in plastic cases.
According to TSA and FAA regulations, what is the correct procedure for these items?