Florida travelers: Review these TSA carry-on regulations in advance of your flight

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
·4 min read

Before you pack up from your stay inFlorida and head to the airport, it is important to know that not every souvenir as well as some other goodies you may have acquired during your visit here can go in your carry-on bag for the plane ride back home.

March is traditionally one of the busiest months of the year in Florida. For example, Last March the Fort Myers airport set a single-month passenger record with 1,514,046 passengers counted.

We are halfway through Grapefruit League spring training schedule. Spring break for schools in Florida and elsewhere is underway and will continue through the end of the month.

The last thing you want to be is that person who holds up the already long line at the TSA security check-point where all carry on bags are checked prior to boarding.

To help make your airport experience a positive one, here are some very "Florida" items you should know about in advance of traveling that the TSA forbids being carried on or has said it meets their standards:

Can I put a souvenir baseball bat in my carry-on bag?

Lorie Dankers, spokeswoman and public affairs manager for the Transportation Security Administration, holds a souvenir baseball bat that had been surrendered to security agents on Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. The bat is not allowed with carry-on luggage because it can be used as a blunt weapon.
Lorie Dankers, spokeswoman and public affairs manager for the Transportation Security Administration, holds a souvenir baseball bat that had been surrendered to security agents on Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. The bat is not allowed with carry-on luggage because it can be used as a blunt weapon.

TSA SAYS: No

Sports equipment that can be used as a bludgeon (such as bats and clubs) is prohibited in the cabin of the plane and must be transported in your checked baggage.You need to check it.

Can I put an autographed baseball in my carry-on bag?

TSA says: Yes

Can I put a fishing pole in my carry-on bag?

A Cape Coral man casts his fishing line from the Matlacha Bridge.
A Cape Coral man casts his fishing line from the Matlacha Bridge.

TSA says: Yes

Fishing rods are permitted in carry-on and checked bags; however, passengers should check with the airline to confirm that the fishing rod fits within size limitations for carry-on items.

Can I put fishing tackle, like lures and hooks, in my carry-on bag?

Big and colorful $80 muskie lures for sale by Captain Steve Jones Charters out of Harrison Township are some of the many things for sale at the Ultimate Fishing Show at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.
Big and colorful $80 muskie lures for sale by Captain Steve Jones Charters out of Harrison Township are some of the many things for sale at the Ultimate Fishing Show at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

TSA says: Yes and No

Small fishing lures are acceptable. But sharp fishing tackle that may be considered dangerous, such as large fish hooks, should be sheathed, securely wrapped, and packed in your checked bags. Like other high-value objects, you may wish to pack expensive reels or fragile tackle that does not pose a security threat (small flies) in your carry-on bags.

Can I put a fishing spear gun in my carry-on bag?

TSA says: No

Can I bring live coral in my carry-on bag?

Coral is grown at a Mote Marine Lab site at Bud N' Mary's Marina on Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The group grows and replants a more resilient coral on the reefs. Reefs in the Florida Keys are serious decline due to a host of issues which include, disease, water quality, climate change and a host of other things.
Coral is grown at a Mote Marine Lab site at Bud N' Mary's Marina on Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The group grows and replants a more resilient coral on the reefs. Reefs in the Florida Keys are serious decline due to a host of issues which include, disease, water quality, climate change and a host of other things.

TSA says: Yes but restrictionsLive corals in water and a clear transparent container are allowed after inspection by the TSA officer.  It would have to be in 3.4 ounces of water or less.  Same goes if you want to bring your goldfish on a plane. It has to be able to live in 3.4 ounces for the duration of your flight.  Though check with your airline as airlines vary on what animals they allow on board.

Can I put Florida oranges and other fresh fruits and vegetables in my carry-on bag?

TSA says: Yes and NoSolid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags within the continental United States. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.

Can I put a metal detector in my carry-on bag?

TSA says: No

Because of the size limitations of overhead bins and space under seats, this item should be transported in checked bags. Due to airline polices on weight and size of checked bags, you should check with your airline for any potential guidelines for certain checked items.

Can I put leftover suncreen spray and lotions in my carry-on bag?

Your skin will appreciate the full coverage protection of the Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion made with 100% mineral actives, Coconut and Kukui Nut.
Your skin will appreciate the full coverage protection of the Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion made with 100% mineral actives, Coconut and Kukui Nut.

TSA says: It dependsTo carry on, it must be less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed. The FAA also limits the total amount of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, in checked baggage. The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces). See the FAA regulations for more information.

Permitted aerosol release devices (button/nozzle) must be protected by caps or other suitable means to prevent accidental release.

Can a put a bag of sea shells in my carry-on bag?

TSA says: Yes

Can I put sand in my carry-on bag?

A group of friends from northern Kentucky gathered at the Pink Shell Resort at Fort Myers Beach to see the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017.
A group of friends from northern Kentucky gathered at the Pink Shell Resort at Fort Myers Beach to see the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017.

TSA says: Yes

Can I put golf clubs and other equipment in my carry-on bag?

Gabe Luchetta hits balls at the new location of Top Golf in Fort Myers on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. The grand opening is on Friday but the location had a soft opening and patrons are able to hit in all the bays.
Gabe Luchetta hits balls at the new location of Top Golf in Fort Myers on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. The grand opening is on Friday but the location had a soft opening and patrons are able to hit in all the bays.

TSA says: No (to golf clubs), but yes to golf balls and tees.

Can I bring a local plant in my carry on bag?

TSA says: Yes

Check with the airline to ensure that the item will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.

Can I bring a tennis racket in my carry-on bag?

Tennis racket and ball
Tennis racket and ball

TSA says: Yes

Can I carry-on kayak or canoe paddles?

A Naples resident paddles through the mangrove canopy at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples.
A Naples resident paddles through the mangrove canopy at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples.

TSA says: No

Can I bring hiking poles on a plane?

TSA says: No

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: TSA carry on policies for florida items: oranges, sunscreen and shells