Airport X-ray shows terrifying object taped in carry-on to skip checked baggage fee

Traveler’s Attempt to Hide Knife Foiled at Madison Airport

A passenger’s effort to keep a knife out of sight at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin, ended when a TSA officer detected the weapon on an X‑ray machine, leading to a police response and the traveler’s removal of the item.

While moving through security, a TSA officer noticed a shape on the scanner that looked like a knife. The passenger’s carry‑on was flagged for further inspection, and the weapon was found taped inside the bag. The traveler later admitted that she had deliberately hidden the knife because she did not want to pay the $100 fee for checked luggage.

“Her response to me was, ‘I was attempting to conceal this knife from TSA,’” said Supervisory TSA Officer Andrew Kasten, who first spotted the suspicious shape. Kasten called local law enforcement after confirming the weapon was taped in place. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office and TSA Manager Annie Lu arrived on the scene.

“The team does a great job making sure every possible threat is found when we need to conduct additional screening,” Officer Jim Kohn, who has worked with TSA for 21 years, said. “We’ve seen knives slip through pockets or bag liners, but this was deliberately taped inside, which is unusual.” Kasten added that he has encountered many knives over his career, but not “in this position within a bag.”

The traveler, who declined to reveal her name, said she thought the knife would remain undiscovered. She had chosen to forgo checked baggage in order to avoid the $100 charge. After the knife was removed, she was cleared to continue her travel.

TSA officials caution travelers that attempting to evade fees by concealing prohibited items can result in civil penalties. “When contemplating the options of saving a few dollars or paying a federal civil penalty due to something hidden, I recommend being smart about it,” Kasten advised. “For whatever reason you may be traveling, don’t jeopardize your income or freedom just to save an item like this knife.”

The incident, which occurred at the Madison airport’s security checkpoint, highlights the agency’s vigilance in detecting concealed weapons. While the traveler faced no criminal charge, her action illustrates the risks associated with attempting to hide prohibited items for cost savings.