While most travelers know knives do not belong in carry-on bags, a live snake hidden inside computer equipment is a far less common problem, but it has happened.
The Transportation Security Administration recently resurfaced two of its strangest discoveries in a Facebook post. Photos show a knife concealed inside a laptop and a young python tucked inside a computer hard drive.
These are not new discoveries, but reminders of some of the crazy things that TSA has intercepted in the past. The snake was discovered in 2018, while the knife was found in 2022.
TSA used the unusual cases to remind passengers that prohibited items cannot be hidden inside electronics. The agency joked in the post and added: “Please, no more snakes.”
The Python Was Headed to Barbados
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Officers discovered the ball python at Miami International Airport in July 2018. Although TSA included the image in its current carry-on reminder, the snake had actually been packed inside checked baggage.
The traveler had wrapped the python in a nylon stocking and concealed it inside an external computer hard drive. She was preparing to fly to Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados.
TSA said the snake did not pose a direct threat to the aircraft. However, any unidentified organic material concealed inside electronic equipment requires officers to investigate further.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took possession of the snake and gave a citation to the traveler, according to ABC News. Neither the traveler nor the python made the flight.
Officers Found a Knife Inside a Laptop
The second image on the reminiscent post was taken during a November 2022 screening at Richmond International Airport. An officer noticed what appeared to be a knife inside a passenger’s carry-on bag, but TSA couldn’t find it during the initial search.
So, officers screened each item separately and traced the image to a gaming laptop. Airport police supplied tools to open the computer, revealing a double-edged knife hidden among its internal components. The traveler faced a federal civil penalty following the discovery, according to the TSA.
Most knives may be transported in checked baggage if they are securely wrapped or sheathed. Travelers hoping to fly with a pet must also contact their airline because animal policies differ between carriers.