Expert shares: 8 items that can create problems during screening at the airport

How to properly pack a lighter, battery or batteries? Why can a pâté on an airplane be considered a liquid? What was the fault of the ski wax? Let's discuss the things that are most often confiscated at checkpoints before the flight.

It is difficult for passengers to remember the many baggage requirements that airports impose. Some items can be transported in the cargo hold, some – in the cabin, and some are better left at home – no wonder and get confused! Joni Pekkanen, head of security at Finavia, spoke about the most common screening problems that come as a surprise to travelers.

According to the specialist, every day the checkpoints at Finavia airports seize more than 200 different items from passengers' suitcases. These items appear to be completely harmless, but in reality they can put the lives of the people on board at serious risk. Most travelers, of course, do not have malicious intent, putting a corkscrew or knitting needles in their purse. But the phrase “Oh, I didn’t know that it was impossible” will not be an excuse – things will be confiscated, because the goal of control specialists is to ensure the complete safety of the departure. So no offense!

Hand luggage: what is better to lay out and what to replace?

1. Liquids over 100 ml

Most often, this category includes bottles with drinks, cosmetics and hygiene products (for example, lotions, tonics, liquid soaps, shampoos). Toothpaste for an airport employee is, by the way, also a liquid, like some food that can be spread: pate, ketchup, honey, etc.

Many passengers do not realize one more important thing: for the control service, the size of the container itself matters, and not the remaining amount of liquid. For example, if there is only 50 ml of shampoo left in a 200 ml bottle, it will still be regarded as a container with a volume of more than 100 ml. And the picky airport employee has the right to withdraw it.

What to do: Use containers up to 100 ml for transporting cosmetics and food. Place larger items in a suitcase that will go in luggage. An expert shares 3 tips for sorting luggage.

2. Matches and lighters

We note right away that it is forbidden to take matches or a lighter on board at US airports. In Europe, this is a little softer – you can still carry one box or one lighter with you.

What to do: Put one item (either a box of matches or a lighter) in your pocket.

3. Sharp objects

Scissors, penknives, corkscrews, knitting needles and other cutting and piercing accessories are not allowed in hand luggage. They will not be allowed into the aircraft cabin.

What to do: all these devices and tools are allowed to be transported in the cargo hold. Just pack them securely so that they don't ruin your things or damage your suitcase. 10 items that sometimes let you down at airport security.

Checked baggage: what is unacceptable and what to do?

1. And again matches and lighters

These items are not allowed in the cargo hold because they carry an increased risk of ignition. What to do: you will have to get by with one lighter/box of matches, which, we remind you, are allowed to take with you to the salon (read above).

2. Lithium batteries and external accumulators

According to Joni Pekkanen, they are the ones most often seized by airport employees during the inspection of baggage checked into the cargo hold.

What to do: Batteries and rechargeable batteries can be carried into the cabin of the aircraft in hand luggage. This rule was introduced for safety reasons: if something happens (ignition, short circuit, sparking), it will be easier to notice it in the cabin than in the luggage compartment.

Another important point: the lithium content in batteries cannot exceed 2 g (or 100 Wh) per battery. In addition, the maximum number of spare batteries you can take on board is 2. And make sure they are short-circuit proof!

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3. Flammable substances

This includes lighter fluids, alcohol products, nail polish removers containing acetone, hairspray over 500 ml. All of them can lead to a fire, and therefore most often mercilessly seized at the control.

What to do: Well, to be honest, without all this goodness, you can completely do on a trip, right? In addition, such items are easy to buy already at the place of arrival. If you can’t go without your favorite hairspray, get a mini version with a volume of 150-200 ml – this amount is quite acceptable.

4. Ammunition

There will always be problems with weapons and especially thorough screening – put up with it. Carriage of cartridges in the cargo hold is not allowed! It's just that they are also considered explosive objects and violate fire safety rules.

What to do: Cartridges for hunting weapons can still be transported, only in hand luggage. However, they must be carefully packaged. Bandolier or magazine itself is not considered a strong enough shell, so take care of an additional packing container. And do not forget to get permission to carry cartridges on board in advance: the security services of most airports require this.

5. Ski wax and ski wax remover

Bad news for ski lovers: ski lubricants are not favored by airport employees, because most of them contain flammable compounds, and therefore are not allowed in the luggage compartment. By the way, they cannot be carried in hand luggage either.

What to do: Choose a ski product that doesn't say “flammable”. “You have every right to take hard, non-flammable ski waxes in your luggage, but other types of these products must be purchased at your final destination,” advises Pekkanen.

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