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Love the snow globe, but don't hand carry it on an airplane
While perusing the list of things not allowed as carry ons on airplanes, snow globes caught my eye. These are those items I usually associate with Christmas. Remember the one in "It's a Wonderful Life" -- the Jimmy Stewart classic holiday movie? The snow globe represented the main character's idlylic town--all cozy and snowy in winter. Even if you had that snow globe-- calling it an antique--a movie classic piece of memorabilia, TSA wouldn't blink an eye before snatching it up and selling it on Ebay. (See Catherine's and Neil's posts.)
Okay, I remember a snow globe at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life," but maybe I'm making this up, and I just think I saw it. But, there was also a snow globe in "Citizen Kane" that crashed to the ground and broke at the end of the movie when the main character dies, right as he whispered, "Rosebud." Either one, doesn't matter. You can't take it on the plane.
See, the water in the snow globe might not be water at all--and heaven knows what those white flakes or glitter that swirl about when you shake the globes might be made of. Plastic, sure. How about EXPLOSIVE plastic? Just kidding, I have no idea.
I'm actually not faulting TSA for putting snow globes on the list. I never would have thought of their possible use as a terrorist weapon. Seems mean to me. Clever, sure, but definitely mean. Snow globes are magic. They are where you hold a world in your hand that you can alter by turning it upside down or shaking it. They are like the best memories of childhood--like pudding. You can take pudding on the plane, but just 3 ounces or less.
So if you happen to be traveling for the holidays and pick up a snow globe in some gift shop, just remember, wrap it in a towel or something, and pack it in the middle of your checked suitcase--otherwise, maybe you can buy it back on Ebay like Neil suggests.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Stories, Airlines, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 13)
Worn Underwear Oct 29th 2008 9:00PM
Snow Globes dangerous - lol. You can make a biro into a weapon, don't see them confiscating our pens... http://www.maniax.co.uk/wornunderwear
Justin Nov 19th 2007 9:29AM
Wow, that's certainly interesting. Kinda makes ya think about what other nondescript items we never think about that people could use as potential weapons as well.
Justin Lemaire
http://www.thetorontotraveler.com
Dre... Nov 19th 2007 9:52AM
Who would have thought.......
Roxie Nov 19th 2007 9:52AM
I found out about this this summer. But as is often the case, there's a loophole. Gift shops in airport areas past the security checkpoints sell plenty of tacky souvenir snow globes. You can bring them if you buy them after your bags are checked. I know, I did it.
Helga Cassidy Nov 19th 2007 10:22AM
Can't read 1/2 of your article above about banned snow globes on airplanes!!
jimmietraylor Nov 22nd 2007 11:18PM
I couldnT either--they post silly ads over everything you want to read. AOL needs to cut all that stuff out. We pay for AOL and they use us to make advertising money.
JT Nov 19th 2007 10:26AM
The powers that be completely lost their minds years ago regarding banned items on aircraft. Case in point..Bic lighters were banned, were considered VERY dangerouos weapons...and then the TSA discovers it's too expensive to discard all the confiscated lighters..and voila'..they are now allowed on board and apparently no risk whatsoever. Amazing.
Anyone who see's the TSA and the entire homeland security debacle as anything but a very expensive case of beaurocratic window dressing is indeed a fool.
Shove your Christmas globe...I'll drive to grandmas this year.
StarongBahd Nov 19th 2007 10:26AM
Yes...never forget to bring a towel especially with your snow globe if you're going on vacation.
qweebs1 Nov 19th 2007 10:27AM
I've always wondered: with all the things we cannot carry on the plane because they may explode, what happens when we put this supposed explosive under the plane? is it now impossible for it to explode? if it does explode, does nothing happen to the plane?
Thomas Nov 19th 2007 10:36AM
we have to do what we think is safe.. not convient . as usual ,many Americans just want their way when they want it , and heaven forbid something should happen in the air then everyone gets sued, fly by the ever changing rules or don't fly
Jaculis Nov 19th 2007 10:37AM
I wonder if soon people will be banned from boarding the aircraft, since people are potential terrorists, and they'll just charge extra to fly your luggage around.
At some point, all of this succombs to the physical, mathematical law of diminishing returns.
Have a safe trip, though.
Peace.
ROBIN COLLINS Nov 23rd 2007 12:35AM
If TSA does only allow wallet and purses make sure you have all your medications.
Jessica Nov 19th 2007 10:47AM
kinda funny how they won't let u take a lot of thingslike clippers, needles, hairspray....but they sell it in the newstand stores...go figure!
JO Nov 19th 2007 10:43AM
Quit whining...folow the guidelines or don't fly! If it was up to me, I wouldn't allow any carry ons other than purses and wallets!
ajsayshi Nov 22nd 2007 11:20PM
what the hell, you could easily carry something dangerous in a purse or wallet. good thing ur not in charge of these rules or else we'd all be dead
FW Dec 12th 2007 6:35AM
Yeah. and when you get there you can buy new stuff with your purse or wallet and they will have lost your luggage because of the amount of checked luggage has doubled and they wont be able to keep track of it all and keep up!
T Nov 23rd 2007 4:59AM
YEP U ARE RIGHT ON THE MONEY.............OMG THESE PEOPLE WHINE AND COMPLAIN ABOUT ALL THIS.....DON'T U REMEMBER 9-11 .....HELL I DON'T CARE IF THEY STRIP SEARCH ME JUST AS LONG AS NOTHING LIKE THIS EVER HAPPENS AGAIN!
Patton Nov 19th 2007 11:41AM
You,ve seen it all?Just wait,I,m WW2 Handicapped Veteran and use a walking stick.Recently in Memphis on a flight to Amsterdam this was taken off me by the TSA,it would not fit in a suit case and besides I need it for walking on to the plane.No deal,my stick was taken off me,no one helped me onto the plane until I entered the door of the plane when the Stewardess helped me to my seat.
How did I get round in Amsterdam?I bought a walking stick on one of the Terminal souvernier stores.Go figure That.
larry Nov 22nd 2007 11:18PM
I'm permantely disabled too, from four failed back surgeries! I too need a walking cane to assist me while walking. How will I get around without one. Will there be someone at counter to put me in a wheel chair and roll me to the plane's entrance, and then to my seat? Or will I have to do the best I can to make it to my seat? There has to be a reasonable answer to all this. Don't get me wrong, I do believe we have to tighten up on safety upon our planes. Sure we could I suppose use our cane to whoop up on someone. But never would I do that, and probably you wouldn't either! God bless you MAN!! Robbie in TN.
lng Nov 23rd 2007 12:45AM
This exact thing happened to me when departing from Australia. Even tho I bought it in an airport duty free shop, they still took the damn snow globe I bought for my son. It really irked me. Next time I go, I'm buying it on my way in and packing it in my bag. they can't confiscate it then!