# Woman tapes knife in carry-on to dodge $100 baggage fee

> A passenger at a Wisconsin airport admitted to concealing a knife with tape to avoid checking her bag.
- Title: Woman tapes knife in carry-on to dodge $100 baggage fee
- Summary: A passenger at a Wisconsin airport admitted to concealing a knife with tape to avoid checking her bag. TSA officers are trained to detect concealed items on…
- Keywords: tsa, dane county regional airport, madison, wisconsin, airport security, knife, baggage fees, x-ray screening, andrew kasten, concealed weapons, travel security, news
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/travel/airport-x-ray-shows-terrifying-object-taped-carry-on-skip-checked-baggage-fee
- Author: Kelly McGreal
- Published: 2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tsa, dane county regional airport, madison, wisconsin, airport security, knife, baggage fees, x-ray screening, andrew kasten, concealed weapons, travel security, news
## Knife taped inside carry-on bag
A TSA officer at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin spotted a knife on an X-ray machine. The passenger had taped it inside her luggage.
## Passenger admits deliberate concealment
The woman told TSA Supervisory Officer Andrew Kasten she was trying to hide the knife from security. She had an upcoming camping trip planned.

> Her response to me was, 'I was attempting to conceal this knife from TSA.'
## Avoiding a $100 baggage fee
The passenger chose not to check her luggage to skip the fee. She didn't think TSA would find the knife.

> She did not think TSA would find the knife.
## Unusual positioning caught attention
TSA officers with decades of experience said they'd seen knives slip through bag holes accidentally, but never deliberately taped in place like this.

> I have encountered many knives over the years, but never in this position within a bag.
## Federal penalties outweigh savings
Kasten warned travelers against risking federal civil penalties to save money on a cheap item. The knife was worth about $5.

> Don't jeopardize your income or freedom just to save an item like this $5 knife.
## Passenger cleared to travel
The woman voluntarily surrendered the knife after being caught. TSA allowed her to continue with her trip.
## Key takeaway

TSA officers are trained to detect concealed items on X-rays, and deliberately hiding prohibited items can result in federal penalties far exceeding baggage fees.