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Dangerous items the TSA does not like - water, knives and shock absorbers!
Yesterday, I posted an article linking to the most up to date ways to be prepared for the security checkpoint at your airport. One item missing from the lineup of things not to bring, was shock absorbers.
At least, that would appear to be the case after reading this story from a traveler who passed through LAX International airport.
After several delays, and a night at the airport, this passenger arrived home with his luggage, only to discover that 4 shock absorbers for his '69 Mustang had been removed from his luggage, replaced by a note from the TSA telling him they had inspected his bag.
When he contacted the baggage agent for his airline, he was told that the TSA had confiscated them, but no reason was given for this.
Shock absorbers are not listed on the TSA site as prohibited, and I could not find any category of item that would give them a reason to simply take them. That said - the airlines do have a listing for pressurized items, and I could certainly understand if they consider shocks to fall into that category.
It isn't clear whether he'll ever get them back. Lesson for the next time - have them shipped instead.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Grant Martin Apr 13th 2009 4:35PM
Are you sure that's a shock absorber, Scott?
llorgam Apr 14th 2009 9:45AM
We get car parts fairly often in checked bags. the only disallowed items would have fuel or lubricant residues (used oil filters, recently run gas engines); and then they're turned over to the airlines. In such a case, the airline notifies the passenger before departure. In this case, it would do to contact the airline.
Bill Apr 14th 2009 3:17PM
The shock absorbers, if they are pressurized gas shocks or cannot be determined to be another type, are considered hazardous material by the FAA. As part of any checked baggage inspection, all hazardous material must be removed and turned over to the airline. The airline representative should contact the passenger before departure to give them options of what to do with them such as ship them. The airline should have the shock absorbers along with your information from the bag tag.