TSA Blog Year in Review: 2013

 

Every day, Transportation Security Officers interact with nearly two million travelers across the United States with a single goal in mind – ensuring the safety of the traveling public.

TSA had a busy year in 2013, screening 638,705,790 passengers in 2013 (over 1,700,000 per day), which is 1,123,668 more passengers than last year.

Sadly, this year marked the first incident where a TSA officer, Gerardo I. Hernandez, was killed in the line of duty at Los Angeles International Airport.

In many ways, Transportation Security Officers are the public face of our nation’s security. It is difficult work, requiring patience, stamina, and great attention to detail. It requires extensive training and constant vigilance. This year’s tragic incident reminds us that being on the frontline also comes with a great risk. It is a risk that the men and women of TSA undertake willingly knowing that in doing so they are serving a higher cause, and a noble one – protecting the men and women of the United States every day.

We wanted to share with you examples of the continued vigilance of TSA officers in protecting our nation’s transportation systems, including some of the most unusual items TSA caught at the checkpoints this year.

1,813 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging nearly five firearms per day. Of those, 1,477 (81%) were loaded. Firearms were intercepted at a total of 205 airports with Atlanta (ATL) on top of the list for the most firearms intercepted (111) in 2013.

There was a 16.5% increase (257) in firearm discoveries from last year’s total of 1,556.

 

Using imaging technology, a .380 pistol loaded with seven rounds and one chambered was discovered in the pocket of a passenger at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW).

 

 

 

 

TSA officers also find inert items that look very real. The problem with these types of items is that we don’t know if they are real, toys or replicas until we call out the explosive experts. Inert items can lead to disruption, closed terminals and checkpoints, which often result in canceled or delayed flights. Here are some of the more interesting inert items we’ve found so far this year:

Inert Suicide Vest (IND)

 

After alarming in checked baggage, our officers discovered an inert suicide vest. The vest was a training aid used by an explosives instructor.

A passenger at Norfolk (ORF) had six inert pressure plates, 50 inert initiators, an inert land mine, inert explosives, and two initiation systems in the his bag.An inert Claymore mine was discovered in a checked bag at San Jose (SJC).

 

Inert IED (ORD)

 

An inert bandolier line charge was discovered after it alarmed in checked baggage at Norfolk (ORF).

Seven inert blasting caps were discovered in checked baggage at Greenbrier County Airport (LWB).

Electric detonators and a block of inert C4 with duct tape and wires protruding were discovered in two separate incidents at Seattle (SEA) in checked baggage.
 

Inert Claymore Mine (SJU)

A gag retirement gift designed to look like an improvised explosive device was discovered on the X-ray at St. Petersburg / Clearwater (PIE).

Two inert C4 demolition explosives were discovered in the carry-on bag of a passenger at Honolulu (HNL).

An inert Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training kit was discovered at Norfolk (ORF).

Two battery-charged initiators were discovered in a carry-on bag at Minneapolis (MSP).

Inert Bazooka Round (ORD)

A WWII era inert bazooka round was discovered in a checked bag at Chicago O’Hare (ORD).

An inert 20mm artillery round was detected in the carry-on bag at San Diego (SAN).

136 inert/novelty/replica grenades were discovered this year at TSA checkpoints and checked baggage locations.

Just A Few of the 136 Inert/Novelty/Replica Grenades Discovered in 2013

Smoke Grenade (IAD)

A live smoke grenade was discovered in checked baggage at Washington Dulles (IAD).

 

Flash Bang Grenade (PDX)

A live “sting ball” riot control grenade was discovered in checked baggage at John Wayne (SNA).

Live smoke and flare canisters were discovered in a checked bag at Phoenix (PHX).

 

Flare Gun (HOU)

A 3-ounce Can of CS Teargas was discovered in a carry-on bag at Atlantic City (ACY).

A passenger at Houston Hobby (HOU) had a flare gun and six loose flares in his carry-on bag.

562 stun guns were discovered in carry-on bags in 2013.

Left - Right: Smoke and Flare Canisters (PHX), Flare Gun (MDW), Teargas (ACY), Flare (JNU), Smoke Grenades (PWM)

Non-metallic Dagger (SLC)

A non-metallic dagger was discovered on a passenger at Salt Lake City (SLC) after he alarmed Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT). During the pat-down, the dagger was found hanging by fishing line around his neck and under his shirt.
 

Tactical Spike (DSM)

Officers at Des Moines (DSM) discovered an 8-inch non-metallic tactical spike in a passenger’s sock after he alarmed Advanced Imaging Technology.

Knife (BUR)

A knife was discovered concealed in the lower back area of a passenger who alarmed the advanced imaging technology at Burbank (BUR).

 

Some Of The Throwing Knives and Stars Discovered in 2013

Some of The Knives and Swords Discovered in 2013

The year also provided the need for travelers to surrender a few odd items:
 

Human Skull (FLL)

While searching clay pots in a checked baggage location at Fort Lauderdale (FLL), our officers discovered human skull fragments! While the fragments weren’t a security threat, they did slow screening down a bit since the area quickly became a crime scene!

A mace was discovered in a carry-on bag at Chicago Midway (MDW). This wasn’t a plastic mace; it was solid wood and metal.

A traveler’s checked bag blew open with three foot high flames and smoke at Atlantic City (ACY) . The cause? A large leaking can of hairspray was ignited by the spark of a lighter when the bag was loaded onto the rollers. No one was injured.
 

Mace (ACY)

Pen Knife (DFW)

A knife concealed within an ink pen was discovered at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).

A multi-tool was discovered inside a computer hard drive at Birmingham (BHM).

Multi-tool In Hard Drive (BHM)

A knife was sewn into the lining of a bag at Dulles (IAD).

A bladed multi-tool was found in a package of socks at Albuquerque (ABQ).

Ammunition Hidden Under Pull Handle (ORF)

Nine rounds of .45 caliber ammunition were found in the pull-handle of a carry-bag at Norfolk (ORF).

Pepper spray designed to look like a lipstick case was discovered in Phoenix (PHX).

A stun gun concealed in a cane was discovered at Los Angeles (LAX).

Pepper Spray Lipstick (PHX)

A knife was found in a toothbrush holder at Lihue (LIH).

A knife was discovered in the battery compartment of a laptop computer at Oakland (OAK).

A knife was discovered inside a pillow at Midland (MAF).

Knife In Knee Brace (IAH)

A lipstick knife was discovered at San Antonio (SAT).

A knife was discovered inside a passenger’s knee brace at Houston (IAH).

Two kitchen knives were discovered in an automotive air filter box wrapped in plastic with the air filter at Houston Intercontinental (IAH).

An 8-inch knife and a 6-inch knife were detected wrapped in plastic bags under a false bottom in a carry-on bag at Guam (GUM).

A stun gun disguised to look like lipstick was discovered at St. Louis (STL).

 

Some Of The Cane Swords Discovered In 2013