TSA finds knife, saw blade hidden in cane at Charlotte airport checkpoint

CHARLOTTE — Transportation Security Administration officers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport intercepted a knife and saw blade concealed inside a walking cane during routine X-ray screening on Tuesday.

Passengers are only permitted to pack sharp objects, such as knives and saw blades in checked baggage. The officer who identified the concealed items noted an object in the X-ray image that warranted further inspection.

“The discovery of these concealed items underscores the importance of our screening procedures and the keen attention to detail exhibited by our officers,” said TSA Federal Security Director for North Carolina Gregory Hawko. “I commend the officer for their sharp instincts and dedication to ensuring the safety of all travelers.”

The TSA officer who inspected the cane offered the traveler several options: return the cane to his car, leave it with a non-traveling companion, place it in checked baggage, or voluntarily abandon it at the checkpoint. The traveler chose to leave the cane with TSA and continue his journey.

The incident did not affect airport operations or security, ensuring that other passengers experienced no delays or disruptions, TSA said.

Channel 9’s Glenn Counts spoke with travelers about the shocking discovery.

“I’m not sure what people are thinking. Why would you bring that to an airport? But that’s the world we live in,” said passenger Jill Wilson.

Wilson and her son Aidan said they were flying to a golf tournament. They said they had a hard time believing the other passenger brought the item into the airport by mistake.

“I feel it would be hard to miss unless you are carrying that every day. It’s very hard for you not to think about that when you are bringing that on a plane,” said Aidan Wilson.

Traveler Kelly Salatino said the entire situation deeply troubled her.

“I mean, you can never be too careful. Certainly, there are instances like this, which kind of rattles your nerves a little,” Salatino explained.

Another passenger told Counts that it should be easy to come to the airport without weapons.

“It’s unfortunate that today we have people who make the wrong decision when it’s so easy to make the right decision,” said passenger Rashawn McClendon.

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