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)
Nov 19th 2007 @ 9:29AM
Justin said...
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
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 9:52AM
Roxie said...
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.
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 9:52AM
Dre... said...
Who would have thought.......
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:22AM
Helga Cassidy said...
Can't read 1/2 of your article above about banned snow globes on airplanes!!
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Nov 22nd 2007 @ 11:18PM
jimmietraylor said...
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.
Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:26AM
StarongBahd said...
Yes...never forget to bring a towel especially with your snow globe if you're going on vacation.
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:26AM
JT said...
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.
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:27AM
qweebs1 said...
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?
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:36AM
Thomas said...
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
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:37AM
Jaculis said...
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.
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Nov 23rd 2007 @ 12:35AM
ROBIN COLLINS said...
If TSA does only allow wallet and purses make sure you have all your medications.
Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:43AM
JO said...
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!
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Nov 22nd 2007 @ 11:20PM
ajsayshi said...
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
Dec 12th 2007 @ 6:35AM
FW said...
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!
Nov 23rd 2007 @ 4:59AM
T said...
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!
Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:47AM
Jessica said...
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!
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:50AM
Tandy Braid said...
Soon TSA will have us all riding in the plane buck-naked...Could prove to be an interesting flight!!
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 10:50AM
Kent said...
I figure that al-Qaida is like the Mafia. If they want me dead, they will find a way, and the government can only do so much to protect me.
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 11:11AM
rob said...
Ya break that and u can slice someones throat with it... my goodness do any of you have any clue...
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Nov 19th 2007 @ 11:41AM
Patton said...
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.
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