No raccoons: TSA at Tallahassee airport reminds travelers about what not to pack

Transportation Security Agency officer Cedric Williams recalled one woman trying to board a plane: "I want my racoon, I want my racoon."

Tallahassee Democrat

Transportation Security Agency officer Cedric Williams, when asked Thursday what was the most unusual item he's seen travelers try to get through security at Tallahassee International Airport, had a ready answer:

A dead racoon, carried in a trash bag.

The woman carrying it was adamant about traveling with it, repeating "I want my racoon, I want my racoon," he added. Williams didn't know the full story behind the carcass, but said it looked freshly killed.

In fact, travelers can take along dead animals, but have to put the body in a cooler, which then has to be checked as luggage, he explained.

Williams, lead TSA officer at the Tallahassee airport, was part of a presentation with Mark Howell, TSA regional spokesperson, about prohibited items for air travel. They remind people to be safety conscious during summer travel.

Tip: Double check your luggage, TSA says

They displayed voluntarily abandoned items by passengers, ranging from large bottles of Old Spice body wash to gun magazines, knifes, hatchets and more. All the items displayed were not allowed in a carry-on bag but could be placed in a checked bag.

Howell said TSA doesn't confiscate items, but offers three options to passengers: Flyers can either take it to their vehicle, place it in their checked bag or hand it over to TSA. Those who refuse any option will be told they cannot fly. And passengers are not able to reclaim items once they are in the possession of the TSA.

Asked the danger that items could pose in the cabin, Williams gave some brief explanations and hypothetical scenarios.

"Water could be mixed to make a compound for explosives," he said, picking up the hatchet next. "If I was having a bad day and I just lost my job after 20 years and I just got on this plane and felt like hurting somebody ... (then) it's gonna be a fiasco."

Howell added that "the number of incidents that are happening on board aircrafts have gone up, and you don't want to give somebody the opportunity to have something else at their disposal." Items that are not allowed either in checked baggage or carry-ons include fireworks and anything that could be set ablaze.

Summer travel trends to continue until September

Howell mentioned how passengers will see busy airports during the high-travel summers, with Tallahassee as no exception: "In Tallahassee, we've had about 17% more passengers for the first half of the year as opposed to this time last year."

Across the state, more than 60 million travelers have been screened at TSA checkpoints. To save time, Howell recommended arriving at least 2 hours ahead of their flight; especially important if someone gets pulled aside for an extra search.

And he said the the number of firearms found in security checks continues to go up every year, especially in states that have concealed carry laws. (Florida is now a "permitless carry" state, meaning concealed weapon licenses are optional, such as for interstate travel.)

From 2023:Concealed carry, immigration, bathrooms: 8 controversial Florida laws go into effect July 1

Ways to prepare before heading to the airport

• Check TSA.gov for what items you can bring on board.
• Private message TSA on social media, speak with a representative on what items are allowed you can even send pictures of your items.
• Start with an empty bag, clean out all pockets.
• Parents should also check children's luggage where things could be hiding.

Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero.