Bald Eagle Soars Through NC Airport Security Checkpoint

CHARLOTTE, NC — U.S. travelers try to smuggle a lot of things through airport security: a chainsaw, a machete, a drug-laced burrito, bullets in deodorant. No item, however, says America quite like the bald eagle spotted recently at a Charlotte Douglas International Airport security checkpoint.

Captured on video by Twitter user Elijah Burke, the bald eagle is seen stretching its wings while perched on a man's gloved arm, patiently waiting to pass through security.

"America, heck yeah," Burke sings in the background of the eight-second video, which has been viewed nearly 200,000 times.

This bald eagle is no ordinary bald eagle, though. His name is Clark, and he travels to events with the World Bird Sanctuary, according to Transportation Security Administration officials.

"TSA officers are used to seeing an eagle on their uniform as they look over their shoulder, but I’m sure the team at @CLTAirport Checkpoint A did a double take when they saw a real one earlier this week," TSA officials tweeted.

According to TSA officials, both Clark and his handler were screened before boarding their flight.

Luckily, Clark is low on the list of dangerous items spotted at airport security. In January, the TSA released a video detailing its "Top 10 Catches Of 2021," which included bear spray, a belt buckle equipped with a firearm, and a gun-shaped wine holder.

Not all animals are as lucky as Clark when it comes to flying the friendly skies. In 2018, a woman tried (unsuccessfully) to bring her emotional-support peacock on board a plane. Others have tried to sneak snakes, penguins and even a very large spider on their flights.