18 Surprising Things That Aren't Allowed On A Plane (10 Shouldn't Be) (2023)

We've scoured the TSA ban list, and here are 18 surprising things that aren't allowed on a plane and 10 that shouldn't be permitted but are.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) follows rules that most of us think are arbitrary or unreasonable when it comes to what we can carry on planes, can have in our checked bags, or are prohibited from bringing all together (at the risk of those items being confiscated). Part of the problem is that TSA constantly changes what we can and cannot bring on the plane due to the constant tightening of security. But the last thing you want is to go through multiple screenings because items in your bags aren't prohibited, and you were the last to know.

Of course, most of us know the drill. Don't bring liquids above four ounces in your carry-on, and don't bring things that are sharp and can be used in ways that are not for what they are intended, for example. But many surprising things aren't allowed on a plane; like did you know that TSA bans bowling pins from the plane? But when it comes to bowling balls, you can bring them on board. Feel confused? Well, we are too. A bowling ball is solid to the core and heavy and can be used in a menacing way.

Another head-scratcher is that TSA allows us to carry scissors on board, provided the blades are four inches or shorter. But no matter how small that blade is, it still has a point. This is just one more possibly deadly item we're surprised is allowed on board. And if you're like most travelers, you're probably wondering what you suddenly won't be able to take with you on your next vacation now. Well, the good news is we're here to help you out. We've scoured the TSA ban list and have come up with 15 surprising things that aren't allowed on a plane, as well as ten surprising things that are allowed but shouldn't be. So the next time you fly, you'll know exactly which items you can and cannot bring with you.

Related: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Undergoing A TSA Security Check

28 Not Allowed: The Magic 8 Ball

Who doesn't love the Magic 8 Ball? A childhood and possible adulthood staple, we love it so much we want to see the world with it. But, as soon as TSA see our Magic 8 Ball, they take it away. Like, seriously? A Magic 8 Ball is harmless, right? Well, think again. There's liquid inside, and we're sure it contains much less than the allowed 3.4 ounces of liquid! Well, here's what those funny people at TSA said "for carry-on bags, we asked the Magic 8 Ball, and it told us, 'Outlook not so good! 'For checked bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball again, and it told us, 'It is certain '…." Apparently, these TSA agents should do stand-up!

27 Allowed: Knitting Needles

Craft lovers should know that knitting needles and crochet hooks are allowed on the plane. That means you can knit to pass the time on the plane. But these semi-sharp tools should be the last things allowed on board. Their extended length and pointed ends can pose a threat to other passengers; even if the pointed end is not sharp to the touch—someone could still lose an eye. And if you carry a less-threatening set of needles, like a pair of circular needles made from wood or plastic, according to The Huffington Post, there's no reason to worry that your craft tools will be confiscated.

26 Not Allowed: An Offensive T-shirt

It's not just TSA that enforces strict rules; flight attendants also seem to have their own unreasonable playbook. This is especially true when it comes to passengers' travel ensembles. That's right, the flight attendants actually make the call on what you wear, according to Destination Trips. Men who wear jeans and a blazer and women who wear covered-up pieces in neutral colors are good to go. But passengers who put on clothes with offensive words or pictures are not just frowned upon; they can actually be kicked off the plane.

25 Not Allowed: Soup

TSA is pretty lax about what kinds of food we can bring on a plane. We can bring that sandwich you just bought from the airport Starbucks, or your favorite dish your mom cooked just for you, or even a snack bag full of sweets and sours you got from Dylan's Candy Bar while touring New York City. But you can't bring soup with you, according to Insider. It's primarily liquid and has to follow the 3-4 ounce packaging rule. And besides, even if you were allowed to bring it on the plane, are you really about to eat cold or, at best, room-temperature soup?

24 Allowed: Small Scissors Only

It is pretty much common knowledge that sharp objects on the plane are a no-go. But, as previously mentioned, small scissors are allowed on a plane with a few restrictions, of course. According to Travel Made Simple, the scissors must have blades measuring 4 inches or shorter if they are your run-of-the-mill pair or if they resemble nail scissors. This seems a little odd since every other sharp object known to man must be checked. We mean, small blades, despite their size, have sharp points like other scissors. Ugh!

23 Not Allowed: Bowling Pins

Okay, so who's taking their bowling balls or pins on the plane? Yes, to pass the time, it would be fun to set up an impromptu bowling alley in the aisle of the cabin, especially if you're very bored. But, alas, sports equipment like bowling balls and pins can be used as a bludgeon. That means bowling pins are prohibited in the cabin of the plane and must be checked. Surprisingly, though, you don't have to check your bowling ball. You can bring that on the plane, according to Business Insider. How does this even make sense—when bowling balls are solid to the core?

22 Allowed: Fresh Eggs

So suppose you went on vacation and brought back a whole basket load of fresh organic eggs found at a local market. Do you think TSA will let you bring them on the plane? They actually will, although the reason is a mystery, according to Insider. We think TSA should put a ban on eggs on board because what are eggs known for—breaking easily? Not only can they break in your carry-on, but they can also spill all over other passengers and their belongings. It's not fair to yourself, that nice dress you wore, or others.

21 Allowed: Disposable Razors

According to Carry On Guy, safety razors "with interchangeable blades are not okay for carry-on bags because. . . they are not safe since the blades are so easy to take out." Similarly, the straight razor is prohibited because it falls under the TSA rule of not being able to carry sharp objects onto an airplane. What's surprising, though, is that you can bring disposable razors on the plane. Even ones with detachable disposable heads can pass through security. They're not that sharp, but they can be taken apart and can then be used for a purpose that's not intended.

20 Allowed: Sports Balls

Sports balls—like basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls—don't have to be deflated if you want to bring them on the plane. You can just carry them on, according to The Daily Meal. But remember we told you that you can also bring heavy balls like bowling balls and bocce balls on the plane, even if they're solid to the core? We still have problems with solid balls and find it slightly perplexing that sports balls are allowed on planes. Guess there's no harm in an impromptu touch football game in the aisles, right TSA?

19 Not Allowed: Heating Pads

Heating pads sound cozy when flying on a plane. If you can get away with it, just plug the pad into the electrical outlet at the bottom of your chair. This would be especially handy when sitting in economy in those less-than-comfy cramped seats. A heating pad on board could relieve your aching neck, shoulders, and upper back. But, alas, since the gel in heating pads is essentially liquid, as Business Insider pointed out, you can't bring it on a plane. So passengers will have to stick with an electric heating pad or stow it in their checked luggage.

18 Not Allowed: Gravy

During Turkey season, traveling is often unpleasant, to say the least, and to make matters worse, around this time of year, TSA seems to go all bah humbug on travelers. A holiday pairing gift from the gods—gravy is one of the best things to put on turkey. But sadly, passengers can't bring this gooey goodness on the plane. Even if your grandma made it or you made it using her traditional recipe. But this shouldn't come as a surprise, as gravy, no matter how thick it is, is made in most part of liquid and, therefore, can only be checked if it's under 3.4 ounces. But you can store it in your checked baggage and pray that it doesn't somehow spill on all of your stuff instead of your turkey dinner.

Related: 20 Strangest Things TSA Confiscated At The Airport

17 Not Allowed: Large Qualities Of Alcohol

Much like other liquids, there is only a certain amount that is permitted on board the plane. If your purchased alcohol happens to be more than 3.4 ounces, then it needs to be in your checked bag. What's even stranger is that liquor that is 70 proof or higher cannot be in your carry-on or in your checked bag. So make sure you double-check the proof before deciding to bring a taste of the island home. That said, it is worth noting that wine under 40 proof and up to 5 liters can be placed in your checked bag, however.

16 Not Allowed: Gel Insoles

Gel insoles are one of the weirdest items that won't make it past TSA. For a long time, TSA banned both gel insoles and gel shoe inserts, which alleviate back and foot pain. But now, according to the TSA website, these things are allowed, even though they exceed the 3.4-ounce limit on carry-on liquids, according to The Huffington Post. However, it's really touch and go. While some have had their gel insoles pass the security checkpoint, others have not. So, unfortunately, with this one, travelers will just have to wait and see how their airport TSA responds.

15 Not Allowed: Snow Globes

Yet another item that travelers are prohibited from bringing on planes is the innocuous snow globe, usually a gift during the holiday season. So, don't bother buying it for your aunt if you don't want TSA to confiscate it. Snow globes can only contain up to 3.4 ounces of liquid; if the globe is larger than a tennis ball, you must put it in a checked bag. That said, if your spherical winter wonderland is smaller than a tennis ball, you can put it in your carry-on. But, according to The Washington Post, the globe (and its base) must fit into the quart-sized bag with the rest of your liquids.

14 Not Allowed: Fertilizer

Passengers are also prohibited from bringing fertilizer on board. Of course, someone packing their trusty-ole travel fertilizer seems a little strange to us anyway. But who are we to judge—maybe you're going to fertilize your ficus plant while flying. So why the ban? Well, as you've likely seen on TV or in the movies, fertilizers with ammonium nitrate can be an ingredient in making something dangerous. And here's the need to know, according to Reader's Digest, fertilizers can't be checked and can't be stuffed in your carry-on. In fact, you can't bring it at all.

13 Not Allowed: Chemicals and Toxic Substances

Passengers are also prohibited from bringing fertilizer on board. Of course, someone packing their trusty-ole travel fertilizer seems a little strange to us anyway. But who are we to judge—maybe you're going to fertilize your ficus plant while flying. So why the ban? Well, as you've likely seen on TV or in the movies, fertilizers with ammonium nitrate can be an ingredient in making something dangerous. And here's the need to know, according to Reader's Digest, fertilizers can't be checked and can't be stuffed in your carry-on. In fact, you can't bring it at all.

At this point, it seems like TSA is toying with us. So, it's perfectly acceptable to bring tools on a flight, and you don't even have to check them? This means a wrench, a screwdriver, or whatever else is found in a toolbox can be brought on board, well, except for a hammer. That makes sense, right? So when it comes to tools, there's only one rule to follow: the tools must be seven inches or shorter, according to The Insider. But all of these things can be used as a weapon, which means these are surprising things that are allowed on a plane but shouldn't be.

11 Allowed: Ice Skates And Rollerblades

Ice skates and rollerblades are sports equipment that is TSA-approved. This is yet another head-scratcher of sorts since both skates and rollerblades have somewhat sharp blades that can be dangerous to other passengers, according to The Huffington Post, especially if they have toe-picks. Yet, all you have to do is stow your skates in a bag that can fit in your carry-on tote, bag, or luggage and wrap the blades in some cover. Here, the only reason that skates may be banned and forced into your checked bag is for space limitations on the plane.

10 Not Allowed: Butane Curling Irons

So here's a beauty item you may want to bring with you when traveling—a cordless curling iron. But unfortunately, the cordless iron uses butane, so this is one of the few items allowed in a carry-on but not in a checked bag. The iron could catch fire if it turns on by accident. If you decide to carry the curling iron onto the plane, it must have a safety cover over the curler, just in case. Also, according to TSA, gas refills (or spare cartridges) are not allowed in either checked or carry-on bags.

9 Not Allowed: Cast Iron Pots And Pans

Sure, you can carry all kinds of pots and pans on a plane, but TSA forbids those made of cast iron. You have to keep cast-iron cookware in checked baggage. That's because they're made of pure metal, according to Reader's Digest, an alloy of iron containing manganese, silicon, and carbon. Like Captain America's Vibranium shield, cast iron pans don't dent easily when they smash into something. Regular pots and pans, however, do dent. Thus, this is the exact reason why cast irons are not allowed in carry-on baggage, as they are potentially dangerous.