An individual’s recent travel mishap caused her luggage to be screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Anna McKay, a Phoenix, Arizona resident, found her luggage had been examined upon reaching her destination. This was evident from an inspection tag and disarrangement within her suitcase. The potential security concern turned out to be a clear bag of powdered fiber that McKay had packed.
She admitted in her now-viral TikTok video that she hadn’t anticipated how the bag’s appearance could raise suspicion. Despite having her bags checked several times before, it was only upon seeing the disheveled baggie that she realised its contribution to the TSA inspection notice.
McKay had chosen to transfer the needed amount of fiber for her trip into a clear bag to prevent spillage from the original packaging. She wasn’t concerned about its carry-on compatibility, but hadn’t considered that it could raise eyebrows. While TSA repacked her luggage following the inspection, they also placed a notification to inform McKay of the inspection process.
Her TikTok video documenting the incident fetched 1 million views, sparking laughter and shared experiences in the comments. As a result of the comical mix-up, Benefiber, the fiber brand, sent McKay individually packaged portions to avoid any future misunderstanding.
The TSA permits travel with powdery substances with certain conditions; substances over 12 oz/350 mL need separate screening and might warrant additional inspection.