Unusual Find: Knife Hidden in Flashlight at Florida Airport Security
Passengers going through airport security in Florida recently caught the attention of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers with an unusual item. At Tampa International Airport, a 4-inch, double-edged knife was discovered hidden inside a flashlight designed to look like a baseball bat.
TSA Officer Andrew Carter, while using an X-ray machine to screen a passenger’s carry-on, noticed something unusual about the flashlight and flagged the bag for further inspection. Carter noted, “The makeup and composition of the flashlight appeared unusual and outside what I typically expect, so I determined it required further examination.”
Supervisory TSA Officer Michael Slaughter then inspected the bag and felt a mass beneath the lining. Upon opening this lining, the flashlight was found, with a noticeable line along the shaft. The handle detached from the flashlight, revealing the knife. Initially, the passenger claimed to be unaware of the item being in his bag. However, when police arrived, he admitted that he placed the item there to save space. As a result, the passenger was arrested and prohibited from traveling.
Keith Jeffries, vice president of K2 Security Screening Group in Florida and former TSA federal security director, explained that finding concealed blades at checkpoints is not unusual. He compared this to examples like walking canes, where passengers may unknowingly purchase items with hidden blades. “Once you do that, that falls right into the category of artful concealment — which leads to certainly a grave concern,” said Jeffries about the Tampa incident.
Travelers bringing knives to airport checkpoints may choose to surrender them voluntarily and continue their journey. Law enforcement actions vary based on each case. Travelers might face civil penalties, and those with TSA PreCheck membership risk losing it if involved in such scenarios.
Jeffries advises travelers to pack their own bags, be aware of all contents, and refrain from challenging airport security systems. “Pack your own bag, know what’s in your bag and do not try to test the system,” insisted Jeffries. “Do not test the security system. You will lose,” he emphasized.