Netflix’s holiday thriller “Carry-On” takes viewers on a wild ride through airport security, but the TSA is quick to point out where the film’s depiction deviates from reality.
At a Glance
- “Carry-On” became Netflix’s most-watched film in the U.S. in December, topping global charts with 42 million views in its first week
- The film centers on a TSA agent coerced into allowing a dangerous package onto a flight
- TSA spokesperson Jessica Mayle highlighted several inaccuracies in the movie’s portrayal of security procedures
- Despite dramatization, the film is appreciated for showcasing TSA officers’ dedication and teamwork
- TSA plans to use the film’s popularity to educate the public about actual security protocols
A Thrilling but Inaccurate Portrayal
Netflix’s “Carry-On” has captured audiences with its heart-racing story of a TSA agent caught in a high-stakes airport drama. The film, starring Taron Egerton as conflicted agent Ethan Kopek, has skyrocketed to the top of Netflix’s charts, becoming the most-watched film in the U.S. in December. However, as viewers are swept up in the excitement, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has stepped forward to address the movie’s creative liberties with airport security procedures.
TSA spokesperson Jessica Mayle has pointed out several inaccuracies in the film’s portrayal of security protocols. One of the most glaring discrepancies is the depiction of TSA officers playing “Contraband Bingo” with items permitted in carry-on luggage. Mayle firmly debunked this notion, stating:
“We have never heard about anyone playing checkpoint bingo—and certainly not with things permitted in carry-on baggage. TSA highlights unusual prohibited items on social media, but such games are not part of our operations,” Mayle told Newsweek.
Security Realities vs. Hollywood Drama
The film takes significant liberties with TSA protocols, portraying scenarios that Mayle asserts are highly improbable in real life. For instance, the ease with which characters in the movie refuse scanner screenings is far from reality. Mayle clarified:
“All passengers must be screened before entering the sterile area of the airport. In the rare instances passengers refuse, they are denied access.”
Other inaccuracies include TSA officers wearing holiday accessories and chanting during shifts, which Mayle notes is a decision left to local leadership. The film also shows a student using a student ID for identification, which, while possible, involves a more rigorous verification process than depicted.
Carry-On follows a TSA agent as he fights to outsmart a mysterious traveler who blackmails him into letting a dangerous package slip onto a Christmas Eve flight…
The new thriller premieres December 13:https://t.co/zkYG6sHw5N
— Netflix Tudum (@NetflixTudum) August 31, 2024
Despite the dramatized elements, the TSA said that it appreciates the film’s portrayal of their officers’ dedication and teamwork. Mayle emphasized the agency’s multi-layered approach to security, which makes the movie’s central plot highly unlikely in reality.
Well, now you know!
