Items you can’t take on board commercial flights

Some items are strictly forbidden on board aircraft. To help you avoid getting to the airport with materials that cannot be transported, Okechukwu Nnodim writes on things prohibited on  commercial flights

Rules on what to bring into an aircraft varies, depending on the item. However, there are certain standard materials that are not allowed on commercial carriers globally. This is for the safety of air passengers, crew members and other creatures on the ground, should anything go wrong. Regulations for carry-on items and checked baggage vary depending on the item and whether it is brought into the cabin or checked in as luggage.

Aviation experts, who spoke with this correspondent, say it is better for passengers to check their airline websites or that of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority if they have questions on a specific item. Meanwhile, such passengers must realise that it is better to do so in advance than to get to the airport with items that need to be rearranged as check-in or cannot be transported at all.

Travelling by air can be stressful at times. As you plan to pay baggage fees and try to fit enough belongings into your luggage, you also need to make sure the items you pack are not prohibited on flights. Some items can be packed into luggage but are not allowed in your carry-on baggage, while other items are always prohibited. Below are things you can’t take on board a commercial airplane:

Carry-on items of liquid and gel

Air travellers must limit carry-on items of liquid and gel products such as toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and sunscreen. Experts say you are permitted just 3 oz. of each container, and this must be held within a clear plastic bag and should be available for inspection. Larger sizes must be in checked baggage. Note that, although baby formula and some medications come in liquid form, to be permitted on board a flight, you must present them separately at the security check for inspection. Scientific developments have made security threat an issue of great concern, so you must be willing to comply with flying rules.

Checked baggage

Luggage, which is not a carry-on item is better transported as checked in baggage. They include large items of any type that will not fit in the cabin overhead compartments or under the seat. Some other items may not be permitted by an airline, so in addition, you will have to check items that are not permitted in the cabin based on the regulations of your chosen airline.

Incendiary devices

These are devices capable of creating public disturbances or causing violence. Such items are forbidden on an airline flight. In fact, they are not allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage. Of course, items of this sort hardly bears mentioning, but materials such as dynamite, fireworks, hand grenades and other explosives are not permitted anywhere on the plane, experts say. Other items not permitted are flammable liquids of all types including lighters with lighter fluid, flammable paints and supplies such as turpentine and paint thinners, chlorine, tear gas and compressed gas. According to experts, most civil aviation regulatory organisations forbid some realistic replicas of such devices. If you have any questions, consider the danger to yourself and others and ask the airline for regulations or requirements for ensuring safe transport, as this is vital.

Sporting equipment

Sporting equipment are not carry-on items on board commercial planes. So as you pack your bags, do not include a sporting item or sharp object in your carry-on luggage. Sporting goods not allowed include baseball bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs, pool cues and bows and arrows. You’d rather pack them into your checked in luggage. However, because of the size and length of some of these items, you might need to pick them up after your flight from a special baggage area set aside for items that are not the typical, expected shape and size. Other sporting goods forbidden on board are bats, ski poles, lacrosse sticks, spear guns and the likes.

Sharp objects

Passengers must avoid carrying sharp objects in their carry-on luggage. Experts say you never are permitted to carry sharp objects such as box cutters, ice picks, knives, meat cleavers or utility knives. But you have to pack each of these objects into your checked in luggage. You can bring metal, pointed-tip scissors inside your carry-on luggage as long as the blade is shorter than four inches. Any sharp object in checked in baggage should be sheathed to reduce the risk of injury to baggage handlers.

Other items that are strictly forbidden in the passenger cabin include weapons such as guns, knives and other cutting instruments or tools with a cutting surface greater than four inches (for scissors) and seven inches (for screwdrivers). Do not attempt to bring prods, hammers, drills, crowbars or other large tools with you in your carry-on luggage. However, you may bring with you small tools, such as hammers and wrenches, but some carriers may not permit this.

Guns and firearms

It is prohibited to carry any kind of gun or firearm-related item onto a flight. Passengers are forbidden from carrying on ammunition, air guns, firearms, flare guns or realistic replicas of guns, though these items can be checked. It is also important to note that gunpowder and flares are not permitted in carry-on or checked in luggage. Flight regulations state that flare guns, but not flares, may be checked as long as they are locked and not loaded; they must be in a secure container. Passengers should always ask questions from their flight attendants when in doubt.