TSO Prohibited Items Identification 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passenger's X-ray image shows a cylindrical object with wires attached inside a laptop bag. What is the FIRST step a TSO should take?
- Immediately evacuate the checkpoint
- Call for a supervisor and treat it as a possible IED until cleared (Correct answer)
- Open the bag and manually inspect the object
- Allow the passenger to open the bag and explain the item
Correct answer: Call for a supervisor and treat it as a possible IED until cleared
Any anomaly suggesting an improvised explosive device (IED) requires calling a supervisor and following established protocols before any manual inspection.
Question 2: Which of these knife types is ALWAYS prohibited in carry-on baggage regardless of blade length?
- Swiss Army knife
- Pocket knife with a 2-inch blade
- Box cutter / razor blade (Correct answer)
- Folding knife with a locking blade under 2.36 inches
Correct answer: Box cutter / razor blade
Box cutters and loose razor blades are prohibited in carry-on regardless of size; folding knives under 2.36 inches with non-locking blades were previously allowed but all sharp items are now generally restricted.
Question 3: A traveler has a checked bag containing an unloaded firearm and loose ammunition stored separately. Is this compliant with TSA rules?
- Yes, unloaded firearms and loose ammunition are both allowed in checked baggage separately
- No, ammunition must be in the original factory box or equivalent approved container (Correct answer)
- Yes, as long as the firearm is declared
- No, ammunition is never allowed in checked baggage
Correct answer: No, ammunition must be in the original factory box or equivalent approved container
Ammunition must be securely packaged in the manufacturer's original box or a container specifically designed for ammunition — loose ammunition is not permitted.
Question 4: Which of the following is considered a prohibited item in carry-on due to its gel-like consistency exceeding 3.4 oz?
- Solid deodorant stick
- Peanut butter jar (16 oz) (Correct answer)
- Solid bar of soap
- Powder-based makeup compact
Correct answer: Peanut butter jar (16 oz)
Peanut butter has a gel-like spreadable consistency and is subject to the 3-1-1 liquid rule, making containers over 3.4 oz prohibited in carry-on.
Question 5: A passenger has 4 lithium-ion spare batteries (each 100Wh) in their checked bag. What action should the TSO take?
- Allow them; spare batteries under 100Wh are permitted in checked baggage
- Flag the bag; spare lithium batteries are prohibited in checked baggage and must go in carry-on (Correct answer)
- Allow up to 2 and prohibit the remaining 2
- Confiscate all four as hazardous materials
Correct answer: Flag the bag; spare lithium batteries are prohibited in checked baggage and must go in carry-on
Spare lithium batteries (not installed in devices) are prohibited in checked baggage but allowed in carry-on where a fire can be detected and suppressed.
Question 6: Which martial arts weapon is prohibited in carry-on baggage?
- Yoga mat strap
- Resistance bands
- Nunchucks (Correct answer)
- Foam training sword
Correct answer: Nunchucks
Nunchucks are prohibited in carry-on baggage because they are impact weapons; they may be transported in checked baggage.
Question 7: A passenger presents a medical syringe and claims it is for insulin. There is no medication present. What should the TSO do?
- Confiscate the syringe since no medication is present
- Allow it without question as medical syringes are always permitted
- Request the associated medication or prescription label; without it, the syringe may be denied (Correct answer)
- Escalate immediately to law enforcement
Correct answer: Request the associated medication or prescription label; without it, the syringe may be denied
TSA recommends that syringes be accompanied by clearly labeled medication; without associated medication, the TSO may deny the syringe entry into the sterile area.
TSO Prohibited Items Identification 3
A passenger's X-ray image shows a cylindrical object with wires attached inside a laptop bag.
What is the FIRST step a TSO should take?