Nevadans, Ready for a Good Laugh? 5 Strange Carry-On Items Passengers Have Tried to Bring on Planes

The majority of us bring the usual suspects on planes—laptops, books, snacks, maybe a jacket for the air conditioning.

But there are some bold individuals who show up with truly bizarre carry-on items. From live animals to entire kitchens, the world of strange airport luggage is apparently abundant.

What strange items have you seen passengers try to take on a flight from Nevada?

Pets Galore

It’s not surprising that some people travel with their pets, but have you ever heard of passengers trying to bring non-pet animals?

There are some truly strange creatures that have been found boarding flights with their owners.

In one case, a woman attempted to take her pet peacock aboard a United Airlines flight. The exotic bird, named Dexter, was ultimately denied boarding for safety reasons.

Still, the woman’s determination was impressive, and it sparked a flurry of conversation about animal rights and flying etiquette.

Other strange animal-related carry-ons include snakes, frogs, and even miniature horses.

Yes, you read that correctly. Some people travel with these tiny equines as emotional support animals.

Kitchen Appliances and Home Goods

Why pack just a sandwich when you can pack an entire cooking station?

That’s right, there have been passengers who’ve tried to bring full-on kitchen appliances onto flights.

You might wonder, “Why would anyone need a blender, toaster, or microwave on a plane?” But surprisingly, it’s not that uncommon. Perhaps you can chalk it up to them wanting to save money by not paying for a check-through bag.

In one notable instance, passengers have tried to bring slow cookers on board.

They soon learned that slow cookers fall under the category of “too large to be considered a carry-on,” and it wasn’t allowed.

Sports Equipment

Sports enthusiasts are known for trying to squeeze in their gear whenever possible, but some people take it to an extreme level.

Case in point?

Avid hockey players can’t bring their hockey sticks and skates through security. The equipment is deemed “too bulky,” and players are asked to check them in.

The same goes for kayaks, bicycles, and ski equipment.

That said, as long as one packages them up according to the size restrictions airplanes have, they can travel with these items as check-through bags.

Weird Foods

If you’ve ever been through airport security, you know that liquids over 100 ml are a big no-no.

But for some, food seems to be a priority.

In one instance, a family got kicked off a JetBlue flight for refusing to move a birthday cake from an overhead bin that was intended for safety and emergency equipment.

JetBlue pointed out that the cake was allowed since it was within their carry-on bag size restrictions; it was the location of the cake that caused all the issues.

Musical Instruments and Other Oddities

Many people travel with musical instruments—guitars, violins, and saxophones—but there are musicians who are more bold out of necessity, finding ways to bring their larger instruments on the plane with them.

Take, for instance, amateur musician Cristina Wallace. She finds the need to travel with her cello three to four times a year.

Full-size cellos are too large to be a carry-on, and they’re too fragile to send off as a check-through bag. So, Wallace’s solution is to buy a seat for her cello.

While not everyone can afford such a luxury, buying an extra seat comes with benefits, the most notable of which is a personal frequent flier account.

Her cello even has its own name on its mileage card: Mr. Cello Wallace.

Items Not Allowed on Airplanes

While the list of strange items allowed aboard flights is long, there’s also an equally extensive list of what’s not allowed on planes. It’s important to know these restrictions before you try to bring something unconventional through security.

One major category of forbidden items is flammable materials. Anything with the potential to ignite—such as matches, lighters, and fireworks—will be confiscated.

Other hazardous materials include certain chemicals, cleaning agents, and even aerosol cans that pose a risk to safety.

Sharp objects are also on the list of restricted items. Anything from scissors to ice picks (this is an article about strange carry-on items, after all) is a no-go.

While the idea of bringing unusual items on planes may make your life easier, safety and security are the top priorities for airlines, and the Transportation Security Administration has the last word.

Traveling Without ATM Fees

How does never paying an ATM fee when you travel sound? Discover the trick to doing just that from a traveler who’s saved hundreds of dollars in ATM fees.

How To Never Pay an ATM Fee Abroad

15 “Polite” Things Passengers Do That Flight Attendants Secretly Hate

Flight attendants love polite and considerate passengers, but sometimes good intentions turn into less-than-ideal behaviors. If you want to be seen as an all-star passenger, make sure you avoid these in-flight habits. 

15 “Polite” Things Passengers Do That Flight Attendants Secretly Hate