GI Joe busted at LAX!

BBC ^ | 5 August 02 | staff

[Arkie2]

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."

[Arkie2]

You just have to laugh. Either that, or cry.

[Samwise]

simple lunacy

Bump

[Free the USA]

Index Bump

[Guillermo]

...as they let every Achmad, Mohammed and Akbar through with no search, for fear of offending them.

[JediGirl]

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

Thank goodness we have this great security protecting us from all the real nuts! Now I can sleep safely at night knowing that the G.I. Joe gun was in the hold *phew*

[Fred Mertz]

I saw a friend of mine this weekend. He had just returned from a three week visit to Paris and Germany.

He related how his P-38 (C-ration can opener) he carried on his keychain ever since Vietnam was confiscated at Louisville International prior to his flights. He offered to mail it to himself, but they didn't accomodate his request. What a bunch of fools.

[Mr. Mulliner]

This is simply discrimination. Who knows what Barbie is hiding in her blouse?

[Arkie2]

I don't believe GI Joe was allowed to keep his "weapon". I hope they allowed him to keep his "gun"!

[RightOnline]

"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.""

......and just how much are we taxpayers paying this vegetable brain???

[jla]

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

If "Joe" were carrying a replica, out in plain sight, then surely he was packin' the real stuff somewhere on 'himself'.
But I'm sure airport security was one step ahead of "Joe" and ordered a strip search before he boarded the plane.

[Arkie2]

Hello RightOnline. I remember our "discussion" about AitTran from sometime back. Believe me, if I wasn't already a pilot I definitely would never take it up as a profession now. I can't wait until I retire and hope to never set foot on an airplane ( unless I own it ) after that!

[Blood of Tyrants]

Never underestimate the stupidity of the fools running our airport "security".

[Boonie Rat]

A doll caused a security alert at an American airport because its two-inch plastic gun was considered a dangerous weapon.

Government employees doing what they do best!!! IMHO this slide into mediocracy will continue to gain speed until "The Marching Morons" becomes reality.

"The Marching Morons" - by C.M. Kornbluth - "When stupidity is celebrated and used as a weapon against the rest of us".

Boonie Rat

MACV SOCOM, PhuBai/Hue '65-'66

[Always Right]

This is simply discrimination. Who knows what Barbie is hiding in her blouse?

Bazokas.

[Tolik]

Idiots are so funny.

If a 6 years old boy will use his fingers like a gun to shoot an imaginary foe, are they going to keep him off the plane, because that sure "looked like a weapon"?

Its amazing that my stupid question could be a real challenge to these geniuses.

[demlosers]

"We have instructions to confiscate anything that looks like a weapon or a replica."

I see your "instructions" didn't come with any common sense.

[jdogbearhunter]

AARRRRRRRGH.. What'S wrong with these people. They should all get sacked!!!

IDIOTS!!!

[TC Rider]

I don't believe GI Joe was allowed to keep his "weapon". I hope they allowed him to keep his "gun"!

I don't think Joe has a 'gun', I suspect he's as smooth as Barbee where it counts.

[WyldKard]

Oh, my God. We are DEAD. We are just simply dead, if this is the thin line that protects us against terrorists in the airports!