Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) made it into the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Top 10 List of most unusual items found at security checkpoints nationwide in 2021. TSA released the list in an on-line video it posted on the agency’s Twitter account.
What was the item from the airport that ranked as #4 on the Top 10 List? TSA officers at DCA detected a well-worn, heavy-duty, wooden-handled machete on March 6, 2021. The dirtied blade showed it has had heavy use with what appeared to be significant wear, rust and other markings as a result of use. This specific traveler also was toting along some ammunition and a canister of flammable butane fuel.
Knives of any type—including machetes–are not permitted to be carried through an airport security checkpoint. Ammunition and butane fuel also is prohibited from being carried onto a flight.