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SALT LAKE CITY — Steven Solis first pointed to a large machete placed on a table full of weapons, bottles and other items that the Transportation Security Administration had to take from passengers coming through Salt Lake City International Airport in recent weeks.
One by one, Solis, a TSA lead officer stationed at the airport, took time Monday to explain why many of the items in front of him ended up here. There were multiple brass knuckles, guns and even a set of throwing stars, as well as many blades hidden in products like a comb, spork and cane with a duck head-shaped handle.
It may seem obvious that none of these items is allowed on a plane, but it's actually not uncommon for agents to find items like these.
"These are the items that we do see on a daily basis," Solis said, noting that TSA agents confiscate about 900 pounds of prohibited items every month.
Finding unapproved items can also bring TSA check lines to a grinding halt for 5 to 10 minutes or more depending on what agents find, added Matt Davis, TSA's director for Utah. That can add up when if there are multiple delays during the busy holiday rush.
This Christmas and New Year's travel season is expected to be busy across the country, and Salt Lake City is no exception. AAA projects airline travel will jump nearly 5% from last year and exceed pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
According to Davis, more than 425,000 passengers are expected to come through Salt Lake City International Airport's TSA lines between Monday and early 2024, with Thursday and Friday being the busiest individual days. Some additional passenger spikes are forecast for Dec. 28 and Dec. 29, as well as periods right after New Year's Day.
That's why TSA and airport officials are reminding travelers about the basics of what is and isn't allowed on a plane before it causes any major delays. In many cases, people often were unaware they had these items on them or that they weren't allowed on a plane.
"We do recommend that everyone checks their luggage thoroughly before they go ahead and start packing their bags," Davis said. "I think a lot of times we pack a bag, we think it's empty (because) the inside liners of the bags are dark, so are some of these things that get left behind from a camping trip or whenever they used it last. ... And then they're slowing down the rest of the passengers that are trying to come through, and then they're also slowing down themselves."
So what are the do's and don'ts TSA officials recommend when traveling?
First, TSA officials are asking passengers to use the TSA webpage or app that explains what items people can bring with them on the plane before heading to the airport. Travelers can type in their item and see if it's allowed on a plane and can go through checked baggage. Many prohibited items can also be passed back to family and friends who aren't traveling, when possible.
Christmas traditionally adds a new element to all of this. It's the season when passengers come in with wrapped gifts or food, which is either unwrapped or tossed out depending on the situation.
As a general rule, fruitcakes, candy canes and chocolate are approved carry-on luggage items — but egg nog, wine, champagne and jams above 3.4 ounces must be checked in. Solis said passengers who are bringing presents should also use gift bags to avoid holding up lines.
Airport and airline officials also recommend that passengers check their flight status before arriving at the airport, and arrive three hours before their flight leaves just because of how busy TSA lines are expected to be.
"Normally we recommend two, but with the volume of customers coming through, give yourselves a little extra time," said Adam Ryan, Delta Air Line's managing director of operations for Salt Lake City International Airport.
