Knives, large tools, 'decreased' number of guns: What TSA has taken at Evansville airport

EVANSVILLE — As the holiday travel season approaches, Evansville Regional Aiport officials and the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration want passengers to understand what items they can − and can't − bring in their carry-on bags.

Speaking this week, TSA-Indiana Federal Security Director Aaron Batt laid out a sampling of "prohibited items" that passengers attempted to bring in their carry-on bags in recent weeks. Kitchen knives, a sprocket wrench and a Taser (disguised as a flashlight) were three such items that did not make it through the TSA screening process at EVV.

However, Batt said 2023 was off to a good start compared to last year when officials at EVV seized a record number of firearms. So far in 2023, TSA staff had only confiscated two firearms from passengers' carry-on bags, down from 10 seizures in 2022.

"Evansville is one of the few locations where we've actually seen a decrease in the number of firearms," Batt said. "Nationwide, we continue each year to see an increase in the number of firearms that are in people's carry-on property."

In October, the airport will host an in-person enrollment for TSA PreCheck, a program that can drastically reduce the amount of time passengers spend waiting in line at security checkpoints throughout the United States.

From prohibited items to TSAPreCheck and "RealID," here's what you need to know about the screening process at EVV during the fall travel season.

Know before you go

TSA officials are encouraging Evansville's flying public to thoroughly check their belongings before they arrive at the security gate. If you have a question about a particular item, you can call your airline or the TSA hotline at (855) 787-2227.

The agency encourages passengers who have questions about the screening process to call the hotline at least 72 hours before their flight is scheduled to take off.

EVV typically accommodates about 500 passengers per day, and lines at the security checkpoint can vary. Batt said wait times can increase when a large flight is set to leave, but as a general rule of thumb, he encourages passengers to arrive at EVV at least one hour before their boarding time.

What are some of the most common prohibited items that people attempt to bring through EVV's security checkpoint? Kiel Young, TSA-Evansville's transportation security manager, said pocket knives, large tools and prohibited liquids make fairly common appearances in passenger's carry-on luggage.

"Anything with a blade is considered prohibited," Keil said, as he looked down at an array of seized items and picked one up. "This item here looks harmless, it just looks like a regular flashlight. You actually turn this on, and this is actually a stun gun."

Knives, tools and even firearms can be transported by air, but they need to be placed in checked luggage. To legally transport a firearm, the TSA instructs passengers to abide by a strict set of guidelines.

Bringing a firearm or other deadly weapons to the security checkpoint can result in costly fines. Batt said fines average about $4,500, but they can cost even more. All passengers who need to travel with a firearm are encouraged to review TSA policy and ask questions via the TSA Contact Center.

Liquids are frequently confiscated at EVV's security checkpoint. According to the TSA, passengers are only permitted to bring 3.4 ounces of liquid through security. However, persons with disabilities or medical conditions can transport larger amounts if necessary.

The TSA encourages passengers with a disability or medical condition to call 1-855-787-2227 about one week before their scheduled departure. Through the TSA Cares program, accommodations can be made for travelers upon request.

"We actually have Passenger Support Specialists, which are officers that have special training with disabilities and other ailments," Batt said. "They can accommodate those folks and help them get through security easily."

Passengers can view a complete list of prohibited items at the TSA's website.

TSA PreCheck: Shorter lines, reduced screening

While the screening process at EVV is typically quite fast, it can be sped up even more by enrolling in TSA PreCheck. According to Batt, TSA PreCheck passengers spend about 10 minutes or less going through airport security.

Thanks to new equipment, all passengers at EVV enjoy the benefit of not having to remove laptops, fluids and electronic items from carry-on luggage. But at other airports, that may not be the case.

TSA PreCheck passengers always enjoy the benefit of not having to remove items from their carry-on bags during the screening process at airports across the United States.

The expedited TSA PreCheck screening process is carried out in a separate line. Batt said the process is faster for TSA PreCheck passengers because the agency has already verified their background.

"We want to, of course, increase the number of people that are in those programs, because that allows us to focus our resources on people that we know less about," Batt said.

More: EVV expands summer flight options

Persons who are interested in enrolling in TSA PreCheck can begin the application process online. From Oct. 23 through Oct. 27, you can apply for TSA PreCheck at EVV during an in-person enrollment promotion.

Outside of those dates, passengers can register for TSA PreCheck at local enrollment centers.

It costs $78 to enroll in TSA PreCheck, and the initial enrollment lasts for 5 years. After that, passengers will need to renew their TSA PreCheck enrollment every five years, and this process can be completed online for $70.

What you need to know about 'Real ID'

You may have seen signs at airports across the country promoting the Real ID program, but you don't need to worry just yet.

Under federal law, airports will begin requiring all forms of identification to be Real ID compliant beginning on May 7, 2025. Batt said it's simple to check if your identification card already meets the requirement: Look for a gold star in the upper right-hand corner. If it's there, your identification likely meets the standards.

Hoosiers can obtain a Real ID-compliant identification card by visiting their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch and presenting the required documentation, such as a birth certificate, passport and proof of residency documents. You can view a complete list of the required documents at the BMV's website.

A hand grenade in a carry-on bag?

Keil said he has seen a wealth of interesting contraband at TSA checkpoints during his time working for the agency. But one item in particular took the win for "most outrageous" prohibited item.

"The most outrageous thing I've seen is hand grenades that were actually inert — we didn't know they were inert at the time!" Keil said. "Because you can't tell just from the x-ray image, we actually have to call an explosive specialist to help us resolve those kinds of items.

During the past 45 days, TSA staff at EVV seized knives, hammers, large wrenches, a taser and prohibited liquids, according to Keil.

Each year, the TSA confiscates thousands of such items at airport security checkpoints across the United States. Sometimes, passengers can have a prohibited item mailed back to their residence. At EVV, Batt said passengers may even be able to place a prohibited item in their vehicle before completing the screening process again.

However, some items − such as firearms and deadly weapons − can result in civil or criminal enforcement. The TSA can pursue costly fines for violating its prohibited item policy, and local law enforcement could be involved depending on the nature of the case.

Passengers can learn more about the TSA's civil enforcement procedures − and prohibited items − on the agency's website.

Before the fall travel season kicks off in earnest, EVV officials want passengers to know that hiccups at the security checkpoint increase wait times for everyone.

"You should be able to get through that process relatively quick," Batt said. "Most prohibited items, we're not looking to do civil enforcement. We're here today to do education, remind people that the ease of moving through security is somewhat responsibility upon them."

Houston Harwood can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: What can I pack in my carry-on for a flight at Evansville airport?