TSA Displays Confiscated Items; Urges People To Double Check Bags Ahead of Holiday Travel

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Thanksgiving travel push is in high gear as a record number of people plan to travel this year. There was a constant flow of people at the Charlotte Douglas Airport on Tuesday.

“We got here pretty fast,” said one traveler, “We’re just nervous about the security line.”

With huge crowds expected the next five days, officials say any hold up at a checkpoint can have a ripple effect.

On Tuesday, WCCB got a rare look at some of the obscure and dangerous items pulled from people’s luggage each day. The items include part of a chainsaw, bottles of liquor, guns, and knives concealed inside of a cane.

“It was pretty strange to me,” said Winfield Johnson with the TSA.

He says he’s seen about everything come through the X-ray machine.

“Just before you come to the airport, do a bag check yourself and make sure no one has put something in your bag or you yourself haven’t left something in your bag that you shouldn’t have,” said Johnson.

Kevin Frederick is the Federal Security Director for the airport. He says there are 20 layers of security beginning the moment you purchase your ticket.

“We’re looking at 35,500 passengers and then were looking at Sunday, 36,000 passengers,” said Frederick.

Anytime a passenger brings a banned item, officials say the entire screening process can come to a halt.

“For older people it’s kind of stressful,” said Marva Cook.

She says she follows the rules and is trying to get out before the Wednesday rush.

“It’s going to be very busy,” said Cook, “I know about that. “