What happens if they find something in your checked luggage?

For example, TSA guidance is very clear: If prohibited items are found during security checks, they won't be returned to their owners. That may vary in other countries, but the general rule is that confiscations are permanent.



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For example, TSA guidance is very clear: If prohibited items are found during security checks, they won't be returned to their owners. That may vary in other countries, but the general rule is that confiscations are permanent.

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If this happens, travelers aren't out of options. It's important to keep in mind when a TSA agent removes an item, it doesn't mean you can't get it back. You always have the option of returning to the main check-in counter to place items with your checked luggage if you have enough time to do so before your flight.

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During this journey, your bags will be screened at a security checkpoint. This process is much like the one that you can see when you and your hand luggage go through security, where bags are scanned with an X-ray machine or CT scanner and sometimes are inspected if deemed suspicious or requiring further examination.

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The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. Inspection Notices: TSA may inspect your checked baggage during the screening process. If your property is physically inspected, TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag.

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Explosives and flammable items such as fireworks, dynamite, and gasoline can pose an extreme safety risk to passengers and the aeroplane. Weapons and firearms, including guns, replicas, and ammunition, are prohibited in checked luggage to prevent any potential threat to the safety and security of passengers and crew.

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Some items regularly confiscated by TSA include keychain knives, pocket knives, and shampoo or sunscreen in bottles that exceed 3.4 ounces. When these items are found by a TSA agent, they're quickly removed.

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According to Luggage Hero, there were more than 684,000 lost and mishandled bags at major US airlines in the first quarter of 2022 alone. The Points Guy notes that this equated to approximately seven bags out of every 1,000, or 0.7%. American Airlines' average came in slightly higher, at nine per 1,000 or 0.9%.

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JFK leads the list of worst airports for lost luggage and damaged bags with the most property loss claims (1.93 claims per 100,000 domestic passengers) and property damage claims (1.48 claims per 100,000 domestic passengers) between 2013 and 2022.

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Check out 2022's most confiscated items below.
  • Fentanyl candy wrappers found at LAX airport (Los Angeles International Airport)
  • Gun inside of a raw chicken at FLL airport (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport)
  • Handgun found inside jars of peanut butter at JFK airport (John F.


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Lost and found items retained by TSA for a minimum of thirty (30) days, and if not claimed, are either destroyed, turned over to a state agency for surplus property, or sold by TSA as excess property. The state may dispose of the items through sales, destruction, donations or charities.

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Checked Bags: No Electronic smoking devices are allowed only in carry-on baggage. Passengers are required to take effective measures for preventing accidental activation of the heating element of the device when transporting the devices. See the FAA regulations for examples of effective measures.

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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now suggests you lock your checked baggage with TSA-Approved and recognized locks. Travel Sentry® Approved locks are approved and recognized by the TSA. Look for the Travel Sentry® symbol when shopping for these TSA-Approved products.

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Allegiant Air Finally, Allegiant Air is the carrier least likely to lose, damage, delay, or pilfer its customers' luggage. In October 2021, it only mishandled 877 bags or 1.96 per 1,000 enplaned, which was very close to the previous year's statistic of only 1.20 per 1,000 checked bags.

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Allegiant Air Finally, Allegiant Air is the carrier least likely to lose, damage, delay, or pilfer its customers' luggage. In October 2021, it only mishandled 877 bags or 1.96 per 1,000 enplaned, which was very close to the previous year's statistic of only 1.20 per 1,000 checked bags.

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Odds are slim your airline will lose your luggage. According to the Air Travel Consumer Report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, you face less than a 1 percent chance that a major airline will misplace your bags; in 2022, there were only about 7 reports of mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers.

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