The Transportation Security Administration says officers working at airports are finding more prohibited items at checkpoints as people start flying again.
Across the country, officers are screening about 1.5 million people daily, down from 2.5 million in the summer of 2019 but higher than last year.
At Love Field in Dallas, traffic has returned to about 80% of its level before the pandemic.
"We're really looking forward to this summer travel season," says Love Field Aviation Director Mark Duebner. "Even though we had historic lows last year, traffic really has been coming back strongly this year."
TSA says more people may be flying for pleasure instead of business, so families who may not fly often may not know the rules at security checkpoints.
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"People aren't as used to traveling as they were in the past," says Amy Williams, TSA's federal security director at Love Field. "This is just a reminder for the passengers about what they can and cannot bring."
She says officers at Love Field found 51 "stun guns" in April and 38 so far in May. Williams says some people who do not fly often may have forgotten they carry a stun gun in their purse or backpack.
"A lot of times, these are items people carry, say, in your backpack in day-to-day life, but they are prohibited at the airport," she says.
Williams says officers have also seen an "uptick" in the number of novelty items like knives in bottles to look like lipstick and fake grenades.
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"Some of the grenades are cologne-holders, some of them hold earbuds," she says. "While they are novelty items, because they are replicas, they are prohibited."
Williams urges travelers to consider signing up for TSA Pre-Check. She says TSA has a "pop up" enrollment center at Love Field this week.
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Masks are also required at Love Field and DFW Airport. While Governor Greg Abbott has signed an executive order forbidding state agencies, cities, counties and school districts from requiring masks, airports fall under federal guidelines. Williams says anyone without a mask will be given one before they are allowed to pass through security.
A complete list of items that are not allowed in either carry-on or checked luggage is available here.
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