Everybody knows the drill by now: liquids under 3.4 ounces, laptops out of the bag, shoes off unless you’ve got TSA PreCheck. But flying out of Sea-Tac, Spokane, or Pasco this year, a few surprising items on the banned list can catch even seasoned travelers off guard — and the penalty for getting caught isn’t a warning. It’s a fine of up to $17,062 per violation.
Cordless curling irons top the list of items nobody expects trouble from.
The Culprits Hiding in Your Toiletry Bag
If your cordless curler or flat iron runs on a gas cartridge or butane, TSA banned it from checked luggage entirely this year — fire risk in the cargo hold, where nobody can reach it if something sparks. It’s still allowed in your carry-on, but only with a safety cover locked over the heating element. Corkscrews with a blade attached are a no-go too, tucked into the same category as pocketknives…