Soldier Toy Disarmed at Airport

BBC News ^ | Monday, 5 August, 2002 | BBC Staff

[jjm2111]

A doll caused a security alert at an American airport because its two-inch plastic gun was considered a dangerous weapon. Judy Powell, 55, from Walton on the Hill, Surrey, bought the GI Joe toy in Las Vegas and packed it in her hand luggage.

But security staff at Los Angeles International Airport refused to let Mrs Powell on board the plane with the replica rifle.

Mrs Powell had to put the gift - minus the rifle - in her suitcase so it could go in the aircraft's hold.

Mrs Powell said: "I was simply stunned when I realised they were serious.

"Security examined the toy as if it was going to shoot them and looked at the rifle.

"I was really angry to start with because of the absurdity of the situation.

"But then I saw the funny side of it and thought this was simple lunacy."

A spokesman for Los Angeles International Airport said: "We have instructions to confiscate anything that looks like a weapon or a replica.

"If GI Joe was carrying a replica then it had to be taken from him."

[jjm2111]

This increases my negative impression of federalized airport security workers by an order of magnitude.

You know, that plastic two-inch M16 could be used to hijack the plane. Better safe than sorry

[freedomcrusader]

Heaven forbid we do the two things that would really improve security: arm pilots and profile Muslims.

[fire_eye]

It goes without saying that this is just plain lunacy.

The only thing that will stop this is a boycott of the airlines. If Bush is faced with the collapse of the airline industry, he'll find a way to force some common sense on the situation - but the way it looks now, nothing less than a credible threat of that, which would then threaten the the economy and his chances of re-election, will wake him and his droids up.

I've already quit flying... I have no other way of making my voice heard, but that much, I *can* do.

[jodorowsky]

Does Cobra Commander have a mole in the Department of Transportation?

Anyways, GI Joe's guns never hit anything other than robots.

[Fzob]

Heaven forbid we do the two things that would really improve security: arm pilots and profile Muslims.

Now, now, stop all that common sense.

[Sunshine Sister]

I have quit flying also. I will not be treated like a criminal. How many of the perps were white women or for that matter a woman period?

[GrandmaPatriot]

Fox should report on this absurd incident. It should be reported on all news medias but of course it won't.

[jjm2111]

I don't fly anymore unless I absolutely have to. (Like going to Europe or California) I drive now. Screw them. Paying thousands of dollars to sit in a seat that's 16 inches wide (I'm 6'3" and 225 lbs) and then have my ass searched three times before I get on the plate while some swarthy gentlemen waltz right on. Please. No more.

[Redcloak]

I'm so happy to know that these rocket scientists are now on the Federal Payroll. I feel safer; don't you?

[E Rocc]

But security staff at Los Angeles International Airport refused to let Mrs Powell on board the plane with the replica rifle.

Somebody's been watching Small Soldiers over and over again way too much. Either that or they have two brain cells, which are alleviating the boredom by playing tag.

-Eric

[bfree]

gee, I really feel much safer now---thanks federal workers!!

[B.O. Plenty]

...."But then I saw the funny side of it and thought this was simple lunacy."......No, my dear, it ain't funny, but is IS lunacy.....I will never travel by air again until this madness is ended.....

I know the airlines really don't give a rat's ass if B.O. rides their airline or not, but how many of us have decided not to subject themselves to arrogant and ignorant people that have no business doing what they are doing.....This is lunacy in the first degree.

[maxwell]

Check this, dudes...

I'm surprised I ain't been required to check MY weapon at the security gate yet... Nyuk nyuk nyuk...

[jjm2111]

LOL! Good one.

[freeeee]

The only thing that will stop this is a boycott of the airlines.

True

If Bush is faced with the collapse of the airline industry

...he will not hesitate to use taxpayer money to bail out the industry, thereby overriding the wishes of the free market. Bet the farm on it.

[wjcsux]

Another reason why I refuse to fly. There is another thread where our mental giants of airport security arrested an 80 year old WWII veteran.

[Procyon]

That's coming. Why, you might use it to threaten a cabin attendant with rape or sodomy to gain entry to the cockpit or otherwise divert the aircraft.

[Procyon]

It's worse than that: the 80 year old WWII veteran was a Medal of Honor winner. His weapon of choice: the Medal itself with its rounded point stars and the mounting pin clasp.

[ppaul]

Imbeciles.

[NC Conservative]

Does K mart still sell GI Joe? I know they quit selling ammunition. Did not know if they were sill selling GI Joe since he is armed.