A turtle in a bra? This and other finds make TSA most unusual list in Idaho and abroad

Usually, when a person gets pulled from a TSA line or a bag gets flagged, it’s for something like fluids that don’t fall within the allowed items list. But sometimes it’s for things beyond the pale.

From knives where they shouldn’t be to bullets in beverage mixes, the Transportation Security Administration found items that just aren’t allowed. And the top of the list was in Idaho.

Boise Airport topped the TSA’s Top 10 list of “most unusual finds at checkpoints in 2025” with a pipe bomb in a checked bag in May. However, it wasn’t real.

The bag “was referred for additional officer screening because of an alarm,” TSA stated in a release. An explosives specialist with the agency responded to the alarm, assessed the image and conducted a bag search. “PVC pipes and wooden blocks wrapped in paper, marked ‘C4′ with protruding wires” were found upon inspection of the bag.

TSA reported that the specialist determined the “bombs” were replicas and weren’t a threat. The passenger who owned the bag stated the replicas were meant as training devices and abandoned them.

That’s just one of many items not allowed in checked baggage or carry-ons.

“Realistic replicas of explosives are not allowed in checked or carry-on bags,” said James Spies, TSA’s federal security director for Idaho. “Our expertly trained officers take no risks when they screen a bag and see an image that could be an explosive. We’re grateful that in this case, the items were not intended to harm anyone.”

Idaho’s find was the No. 1 most unusual find, according to the TSA. The rest of the rankings were:

2. Turtles in pants and bra, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Miami International Airport (MIA)
3. Razor blades in clothes, Denver International Airport (DEN)
4. Drugs in shoes, Hawaii’s Kona International Airport (KOA)
5. Knife in a knee brace, Illinois’ Quad Cities International Airport (MLI)
6. Pills in a shampoo bottle, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
7. Knife in a car seat, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
8. Bullets in Nesquik, Miami International Airport (MIA)
9. Firearm in a golf bag, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
10. Bullets and knives in tinfoil, Ohio’s Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

The list of items can also be viewed in the following YouTube video:

To find out what can be brought on a flight with carry-on bags or checked luggage, TSA encourages travelers to visit its “What Can I Bring” tool on TSA.gov and the free MyTSA app, text “Travel” to AskTSA (275872), or message @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger.