​Things You Can Take On a Plane

From the common to the odd, the TSA has you covered.

By Janet Wolfe
Posted April 9, 2026

   Given the state of things in the world today, when it comes to traveling by air, you may be thinking only about the price of your ticket and not about what your ticket entitles you to carry-on or check-in.  If that’s the case, you’re missing some slightly useful but also highly amusing information.

   For example, on previous trips you may have brought only a small sandwich from home or bought a snack or a small meal at the airport to take with you on your flight.  After all, anything bought at the airport is fair game, right?  But did you know that you can also pack and take your own loaf of bread, solid block of cheese, fresh eggs, and tamales (the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, is quite specific)?  Will your itinerary take you to a party?  Great!  The TSA also lets you travel with pies, cakes, and pizzas!

   Maybe your family will be starting a camping trip once you reach your destination.  In that case, you can take an empty cooler, disinfecting wipes, fishing poles, flashlights, and selfie sticks with you in your carry-on or checked luggage.  Is the beach part of your plans?  Good news: the TSA will let you bring sand and seashells back on your return flight.  Please leave your bear spray at home, but go ahead and pack your canoe/kayak paddles, cast iron cookware, pocket knife, tent spikes, and utility knife in your checked luggage.  Pack one book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches and a lighter (as long as you follow certain instructions) in your carry-on.  And pack your sleeping bag and your camp stove in either your carry-on or checked baggage once you’ve taken specific precautions (for the stove, not the bag).

   Maybe your happy place is in the kitchen and you just can’t do without your favorite appliances and gadgets when out-of-town.  No worries.  The TSA has you covered.  You can pack your bread machine, coffee/espresso machine, hot plate, tortilla press, grater, fork, or waffle iron with you!

   Is recreation more of your thing?  You can check baseball bats, bowling pins, bowling balls, cricket bats, golf clubs, and hockey sticks but not carry them on.  Your other favorite equipment—your basketballs, baseballs, footballs, soccer balls, ice skates, rollerblades, tennis rackets, and walking sticks can go in either your carry-on or checked bags.  

   Whether what you want to pack seems reasonable or questionable, make sure you check it all against the TSA’s official list of what you can and can’t bring on an airplane here: What Can I Bring? | Transportation Security Administration.

   Happy flying!

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