This harmless item isn’t banned by any airline, and many people pack it in their hand luggage, but the shape of it can trigger warning signs at airport security and see you getting held up in the queue
Nobody wants to be held up at the airport(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Airport security is one of the worst parts of flying, so once you’ve finally got to the front of the queue, you don’t want anything to delay your progress any further.
Once you put that bag on the conveyor belt, you want it to come through quickly so that you can get on with more important tasks, such as perusing the duty free shop. Nobody enjoys that sense of dread when your bag is stuck in the scanner, or even worse, sent off to the lane of shame to be examined by hand.
But many travellers don’t realise that an innocuous item could be the thing that’s halting their progress through the scanners as it’s shape can raise the suspicions of airport staff.
If you’re off on holiday somewhere with bad WiFi, or simply want something fun to do in the evening, you might be planning on bringing a deck of playing cards, UNO, or other card game.
Trading cards such as Pokémon have also had a huge revival in recent years, and some people even travel with a set of tarot cards so they can do readings on holiday. But packing any set of cards, whether collectible or mystical, can cause a security issue.
A spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), who deal with airport security in the United States, told Travel and Leisure that they recommend people still place their cards in their carry on bag, especially if they’re valuable items like collectible trading cards.
Ian Cava from the TSA explained that it was the shape of the cards that can trigger additional checks, and it can make it seem like there’s something hidden inside. “Trading and playing cards can sometimes trigger additional screening because of the way they are packed and their density.
“When items are stacked tightly together, like decks, binders, or graded slabs, the X-ray image can make it difficult for officers to confirm there are no prohibited items concealed in or around them.”
Ian’s recommendation is that travellers should remove the cards from their hand luggage and place it in the tray next to the bag, alongside items like their mobile phone. “This helps speed up the process and reduces the likelihood of delays,” he claimed.
But if the cards still don’t show clearly on the scanner, don’t be alarmed if the airport security staff need to carry out a physical inspection. Travellers with large and bulky card collections should ensure they leave additional time for security screening.
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A pack of cards isn’t the only thing that can see you held up at security. There are a number of personal items banned from hand luggage that could cause you issues. Many items are banned due to being sharp and potentially dangerous, but even innocuous items such as corkscrews could potentially be confiscated.
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