Joel Libed, a Massachusetts resident originally from Hawaii, recently found himself at the center of an unusual situation at a TSA checkpoint due to the unexpected contents of his carry-on bag.
The incident, which was captured on video and shared on TikTok, has since garnered over 4 million views.
The video shows a TSA agent opening Libed's bag, revealing it to be filled with cans of SPAM, a popular brand of tinned meat. "When TSA pulls your carry on and it's all... SPAM," the text overlay on the video reads.
Libed, who was returning to Boston from Minneapolis after a work trip, had visited the SPAM museum in Austin, Minnesota during his travels. "I was traveling with a show, and we hit Austin, Minnesota, where the SPAM Museum is located," Libed shared. "I was gifted that case of SPAM from a worker there. It was so sweet."
However, when packing for his return journey, Libed faced a potential baggage weight issue. To avoid this, he decided to transfer the SPAM to his carry-on bag. "As I packed my suitcase to go home, it was close to being overweight, so I took all the SPAM and put it in my carry-on. I honestly didn't think much about it, but the second it got pulled off the scanner belt, I instantly got nervous," he admitted.
SPAM, a canned cooked pork product, was first introduced by Hormel Foods Corporation in 1937. Initially created as an affordable and convenient meat product during a time when fresh meat was scarce, its popularity soared during World War II as a protein source that didn't require refrigeration.
As the TSA agent emptied the bag to inspect its contents, Libed experienced a mix of nervous laughter and mild embarrassment. "Some of my co-workers were already cracking up, so out of nervous laughter, I told the TSA guy what it was and started recording," Libed recounted. "I was kind of embarrassed as he pulled everything out, and people walked by and looked at it, but he was so cool about everything and let me through once we knew what it was."
Deciding to share the incident on TikTok, Libed was surprised when the video quickly went viral. "I don't normally post on TikTok, but I decided to share it because I thought it was a good memory. And, wow, did the SPAM community come through," he expressed.
While the video has brought amusement to many, particularly fans of SPAM, Libed hopes that the company itself will see the clip. "I think it would be hilarious," he said. "But I've honestly loved all the different experiences that people had with TSA, and also all the love for SPAM."
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