Knives, switchblades, mace, tasers and other items prohibited inside an airplane, and taken from passengers by the Transportation Security Administration, are displayed outside its security checkpoint at Jacksonville International Airport. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
Published on September 30, 2026 at 2:17 pm
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The Transportation Security Administration is rolling out two changes at the Jacksonville International Airport and other airports across the country that will get some passengers to their gates faster, and allow non-passengers past the security checkpoint.
A new front-of-the-line screening access program has started for active-duty and retired military members.
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“When you approach one of the airport gate pass checkers, let them know you are active duty by showing your active duty or veteran ID, and they will take you to the front of the line,” says TSA spokesperson Daniel Velez.
Then on Friday, Gateside by TSA PreCheck will begin allowing people who already have the TSA PreCheck benefit, but are not flying themselves, to go through security.
“You go to the TSA PreCheck line, and you will have access to the secure site, even though you are not flying. You can say goodbye or hello to loved ones who are taking off,” Velez says.
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PreCheck lets low-risk travelers pre-register for a faster airport screening. It costs about $85 for a five-year registration, TSA said.
Banned items confiscated at JIA
The items displayed on the table next to the TSA security checkpoint at Jacksonville International Airport on Wednesday ranged from the lethally cute — pink Tasers and a Mace gas gun — to scary — a curved blade with spikes and a knife in a belt buckle.
And that load of potential weapons found by TSA agents in Jacksonville’s carry-on luggage this year did not include the guns that were detected and detained from incoming passengers, officials say.
So as JIA and TSA prepare for what is predicted to be another busy winter travel season, passengers and visitors already crowding the airport got a reminder from the federal agency of what not to pack in their carry-on bags.
“It’s basically a show and tell — we want to remind passengers of what you cannot bring in your carry-on bag,” Velez says. “All these items that are on the table here today are items that people tried to go through security with in their carry-on bag. The majority of them, you can actually travel with them, but they have to be in your checked bag, not your carry-on bag.”
The TSA regularly warns travelers to double-check what they pack in pockets or carry-on luggage. A belt with a fold-out knife, a toy hand grenade, even a toy pistol is a prohibited item that requires a detailed screening of all that person’s carry-on. And that causes more delays as the passenger and TSA go through the options of getting rid of the item, like bringing it back to a car or mailing it home.
Other items found look like common household tools. There was an axe and a rubber mallet, which Velez says could become a weapon on an airplane. A braided leather whip was displayed next to two fold-out switchblades, and a toy gun hiding a slide-out blade. A rusty Bowie knife with leather sheath was on display. There was even a set of knife blades mimicking those that Wolverine, the Marvel superhero, theatrically deploys from his knuckles.
Many passengers have an excuse when these and other items are found, Velez says.
“That’s the number one excuse we get: ‘Oh, I forgot that was in my bag,'” Velez says. “We are not here to put blame on anybody or put them under a microscope. The bottom line is if we detect it, it just can’t go through.”
Passengers must also realize that guns cannot be carried inside a commercial flight. They can be checked as luggage, but only if they are unloaded and packed in a locked, hard-sided case.
At the JIA’s TSA gate, 69 guns were confiscated in 2025, and “right about on that pace” so far this year, Velez says.
Tips for travelers
- Start packing with an empty carry-on bag, then carefully pack to make sure nothing is prohibited.
- Any liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes carried on board a plane must be 3.4 ounces or less. They have to go in one — and only one — quart-size sealable plastic bag.
- Unloaded firearms must be packed in a locked, hard-sided case in checked baggage only, and they must be declared to the airline.
- Check children’s carry-on bags to ensure no toy guns or pocket knives slipped in
- Review TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” page
