Our officers have had some good finds this year at our checkpoints and we wanted to share our top 10 good catches with you. Some are dangerous, some simply look dangerous and can cause major delays, and others are just plain weird. Click on the links to read more about each good catch. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Top 10: 
 
 10) Snakes, turtles, and birds were found at Miami (MIA) and Los Angeles (LAX). I’m just happy there weren’t any lions, tigers, and bears… were found at Miami (MIA) and Los Angeles (LAX). I’m just happy there weren’t any lions, tigers, and bears… 
 
 9) A science project shut down a checkpoint at Omaha (OMA). I wonder if mentioning the shutting down of the checkpoint added enough flare to his presentation to score him some bonus points? shut down a checkpoint at Omaha (OMA). I wonder if mentioning the shutting down of the checkpoint added enough flare to his presentation to score him some bonus points? 
 
 8) An artfully concealed non-metallic martial arts weapon called a “Tactical Spike” was found in the sock of a passenger at Pensacola (PNS) after being screened by a body scanner. The only thing I keep in my sock is my foot. was found in the sock of a passenger at Pensacola (PNS) after being screened by a body scanner. The only thing I keep in my sock is my foot. 
 
 7) Inert landmines were found at Salt Lake City (SLC). I always travel with mine, don’t you??? were found at Salt Lake City (SLC). I always travel with mine, don’t you??? 
 
 6) A stun gun disguised as a smart phone was found at Los Angeles (LAX). Not very smart to travel with this stunning device. was found at Los Angeles (LAX). Not very smart to travel with this stunning device. 
 
 5) A flare gun with seven flares was found in a passenger’s carry-on bag at Norfolk (ORF). Hmmm… pressurized cabin + 7 live flares = no good can come from this. was found in a passenger’s carry-on bag at Norfolk (ORF). Hmmm… pressurized cabin + 7 live flares = no good can come from this. 
 
 4) Two throwing knives concealed in hollowed out book were found at Washington National (DCA). Killer book… concealed in hollowed out bookwere found at Washington National (DCA). Killer book… 
 
 3) Over 1,200 firearms were discovered at TSA checkpoints across the nation in 2011. Many guns are found loaded with rounds in the chamber. Most passengers simply state they forgot they had a gun in their bag. 
 
 2) A loaded .380 pistol was found strapped to passenger’s ankle with the body scanner at Detroit (DTW). You guessed it, he forgot it was there… was found strapped to passenger’s ankle with the body scanner at Detroit (DTW). You guessed it, he forgot it was there… 
 
 1) Small chunks of C4 explosives were found in passenger’s checked luggage in Yuma (YUM). Believe it or not, he was brining it home to show his family. were found in passenger’s checked luggage in Yuma (YUM). Believe it or not, he was brining it home to show his family. 
 
 If you’re interested in reading about more finds such as these, be sure to read our weekly “TSA Week In Review” blog posts, posted every Friday. 
 
 Honorable mentions: 13) Invisible Space Aliens were detected at numerous checkpoints nationwide. were detected at numerous checkpoints nationwide. 12) Five inert grenades were found in passenger’s bag at Newark (EWR). were found in passenger’s bag at Newark (EWR). 11) 240 live fish were found swimming in 4 checked bags at Los Angeles (LAX). were found swimming in 4 checked bags at Los Angeles (LAX). 
 
 Blogger Bob Burns 
 
 TSA Blog Team ||||| I've noticed that our friends at the TSA haven't announced their New Year's resolutions yet -- at least not publicly -- so as I thought I'd help the federal agency charged with the challenging task of protecting our transportation systems. 
 
 You know, as a public service. 
 
 Here are 12 things the TSA should stop doing in 2012. 
 
 No more body scans. 
 
 The TSA's pricey and controversial body scanners, which are being deployed across the country, are an invasion of privacy and an unacceptable health risk. Many American oppose their use. Isn't it time for the TSA to admit they're a failure and try something else? 
 
 Stay off our streets. 
 
 The TSA is here for one reason, and one reason alone: To stop another 9/11 from happening. Its expansion to subway stations and other public areas is a costly and unnecessary step that no one asked for. This is the year to end the ill-conceived VIPR program once and for all. 
 
 Quit pocketing money. 
 
 Harassed air travelers left a lot of loose change at checkpoints -- an estimated $376,480 in 2010. And guess who kept it? That's right, the TSA. But it isn't the agency's money (one Congressman wants to funnel it to the USO, which isn't a bad idea). It's your money. The TSA has no business taking it. 
 
 Stop calling screeners officers. 
 
 It's a little known fact that TSA employees have zero law enforcement authority and technically shouldn't be called officers. One Congresswoman wants to fix that. What a great idea. 
 
 Stop harassing grandma. 
 
 It isn't just Lenore Zimmerman, the 4-foot-11, 110-pound, grandmother who alleges she was strip-searched at JFK in late 2011. It's a whole stack of similar cases that have stirred public outrage. Stop frisking the grannies, TSA. You're better than that. 
 
 No more special lines. 
 
 TSA's new Pre-Check program, which selectively pre-screens certain passengers and lets them move through the security line faster, seems like a move in the right direction. But it isn't. The elite-level frequent fliers join a growing list of others, including members of the military and airport employees, who get special screening privileges. Shouldn't TSA be trying to find the bad guys instead of determining who the bad guys aren't? This process-of-elimination screening is not only expensive, but puts ordinary, law-abiding air travelers at a disadvantage. 
 
 End the liquid and gel restrictions. 
 
 There's no convincing evidence that our Starbucks lattes are going to blow up our early morning commuter flight. Let's stop this nonsense, which has been going on for way too long and hasn't prevented a single act of airborne terrorism. Let air travelers bring their harmless liquids on board. 
 
 Stop the shoe removals. 
 
 The TSA now allows kids 12 and under to leave their shoes on. Why not the rest of us? When's the last time the agency caught a terrorist with explosives in his insoles? How about never? 
 
 Don't prevent passengers from taking pictures. 
 
 Even though the TSA insists that taking snapshots of its screening areas is allowed, its "officers" apparently never got the memo. Here's what happened to Carlos Miller last week when he tried to tape his screening. Puh-leeze! 
 
 Stop hiring criminals. 
 
 TSA's hiring practices leave a lot to be desired. Its employees have gotten themselves into a whole lotta trouble in 2011, including some very disturbing crimes that leave you wondering: Where did they find these people? Come on. 
 
 Don't ignore the public you're trying to protect. 
 
 A recent White House website petition comes to mind. It only took about 30,000 verified signatures requesting the Obama administration eliminate the TSA, for Administrator John Pistole to offer a clueless rebuttal that suggests he has virtually no contact with real air travelers. How 'bout spending a little more time at the airport, John? 
 
 No more lies. 
 
 Time and again in 2011, the TSA has been caught telling lies and half-truths. They're exhaustively documented by Bill Fisher on the TSA News Blog. The scope of the TSA's misinformation is absolutely staggering. It's really amazing that we believe anything the agency tells us anymore, given its record of bending facts to suit its agenda. That needs to end. 
 
 As we look ahead to 2012, the TSA is poised to become a part of how we travel, whether we fly, drive, cruise or take the train. But the agency will not make any of these common-sense reforms unless it hears from you. 
 
 So if you think this federal agency needs to make a few changes, this is a good time to let your elected representative know about it. 
 
 And if your congressional representative doesn't do anything, well, you're in luck -- it's an election year. 
 
 Follow Christopher Elliott on Twitter: www.twitter.com/elliottdotorg
– Americans love griping about the TSA, and with good reason. The TSA, for instance, pocketed an estimated $376,480 of your loose change in 2010, notes the Huffington Post. But before your blood pressure shoots too high, consider this: TSA officers stopped some crazy and dangerous things from boarding flights this year. On its blog (yes, the TSA has a blog), the much-maligned agency relates the top 10 "good catches" of 2011. Among the notables: A half-ounce of C4 explosives: a passenger flying out of Yuma said he just wanted to show it to his family A .380 pistol: strapped to the ankle of a 76-year-old trying to depart from Detroit; he claims to have forgotten it was there A pink smartphone: it was actually a stun gun, and it didn't make it through LAX A college student's science project: his device, made out of a mints tin and resembling an IED, was harmless, but shut down Omaha's airport all the same Snakes: seven, to be exact, in the pants of a man at the Miami airport Click for the complete list, or click to read about more things about the TSA that annoy.