What Happens If They Find Something In Your Checked Luggage
(And 5 Helpful Tips To Do After)

When a passenger checks in at the airport for their scheduled flight, they should be able to check in their luggage. These checked bags are dropped off at the check-in counter to be weighed, labeled, and wheeled to the plane using the airport’s baggage handling system.  

Checked luggage is usually less suspicious. Usually, being scanned should be enough to get it past the security checkpoint.

Now, what happens if they find something in your checked luggage?

There are a few possible scenarios; they might confiscate the item, notify the airline about it, or deny the passenger boarding and call in the police. In the end, the deciding factor of it is the prohibited item found in the bag. 

The TSA, short for Transportation Security Administration, will decide what kind of call to make when they spot a prohibited item on a passenger’s bag.

Kevin Maguire, a former TSA lead with experience in checking in baggage for 11 years, shared that easy and tiny items (lighters and matches) didn’t require any phone call. No notification or heads up to someone else is needed — instead, a ‘love note’ from the TSA will replace the prohibited item.

Notifying the airline comes in when bigger items are involved, like lighter fluid or butane. Things like a large can of hairspray, drinks with over 70% alcohol, flammable items, and lithium batteries also get a phone call. 

Now, what items would require police involvement and probably criminal penalties? Explosives, detonators, drugs, and incorrectly packed firearms.

Those who need to bring their gun must notify the airline immediately. TSA has specific guidelines for transporting unloaded firearms. They must be inside a hard-sided gun case with a completely secure lock.

If they fail to comply with the guidelines for transporting firearms, TSA will notify the airlines and the police. There will be a full-on interrogation. 

If that were to happen, one can only pray they can clear everything up before the plane takes off. If a warrant is released, then kiss that flight goodbye.

All passengers should know that carrying certain items in their checked luggage and being caught by the TSA can lead to criminal penalties and fines. The consequences can vary, depending on the country. 

In the US, the TSA can impose a fine of over $14,000 for every violation. If a person is caught with three illegal bottles of spirits, that could result in a hefty fine of over $40,000! Though, there are times when the fine is typically smaller, going over $300.

The fines are less necessary than the criminal penalties for items like explosives or firearms. Likely, in that situation, the passenger is escorted out of the airport in handcuffs by armed guards!