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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 3 of 13)
Dana Nov 19th 2007 12:36PM
Ever see the movie "Unfaithful" with Diane Lane and Richard Gere? That would be why they don't want you to have snow globes on planes...
Marti Nov 19th 2007 12:37PM
I'd like to talk more about someone beating the polit with their erection...
Lou Nov 19th 2007 12:43PM
u know, it might be out there but let the airports do their jobs. Most of u complaining would be first in line to sue godforbid something happend on an airline you or a family member were flying. I'd rather give up my snowglob, bic, shampoo or nailfile rather then have to worry that some nut was going to figure some way to bring down a plane. Let it go. Try to think of all the lives lost rather then yr own inconvenicence this holiday season....
BAS Nov 21st 2007 9:44PM
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! Your walking stick was takin away from you..doubt that..if so..it was a fluke..all passengers are allowed to take canes, crutches, walkers, etc..if needed..if not needed, then yes..you don't need a 4 ft long..stick.. rules are 3.4 oz of liquid or less..if your snow globe holds more liquid than that, yes..it can't go..TSA must be consistant. If they changed the rules for every passenger..then THAT would be unfair! There is not the manpower or the time to measure EVERYBODY'S liquid (oh, but even though it's a 12 oz bottle..there are only about 3 oz left)..the container must read 3.4 oz or less..if the passengers would go by the rules..there would not be any problems (and yes..water is a liquid.) if it pours squeezes or spreads it is either a liquid, gel or cream.Do you people not read the news..Do you not realize these rules come from terrorists attempts to get dangerous goods on to the plane. Do you not realize what TSA does is for YOUR safety and well being??? TSA knows the majority of people are not a threat..the problem is..to keep everyone safe, there must be limits i.e. 3.4 oz of liquid..one example..shoes another. and on
Jenna Nov 19th 2007 12:45PM
Yeah Shane, you are soooo right! We women just can't fly without bringing a dildo or a vibrator in our carry on bags.....
Whatever! @@
Nov 19th 2007 @ 12:23PM
shane said...
nexted they will have the women that carry there dildos and vibrators threw the airport security checkpoint go threw customs and say they might be smuggling illegall missles into another country lmao!
lisa Nov 19th 2007 12:58PM
I found out about this when I returned from Greece last month. My 2 tiny snow globes passed thru Athens and Munich only to be confiscated in Chicago. They held me up and I almost missed my connection. I'm all about safety but this was ridiculous!
dddks1 Nov 19th 2007 12:58PM
Now let's see.....TSA agent..."excuse me Ali Baba your curved sword will have to fit in the overhead it's too long to go under your seat...ooops stop that Nun over there and strip search her...have a pleasent flight Ali"
lin Nov 19th 2007 1:07PM
*yawn* who buys snowglobes anyways? My kids don't want snowglobes for Christmas or birthdays and when we travel we don't buy them either. *wrinkles nose*
Although, I was ticked that they confiscated my unopened bottle of water and I had to go buy another one for a stupid 30min flight. *rolls eyes* .But then again to look at the brighter side of it... they pulled me out of line to pat me down and search my bag and I got out of at least 30+min. of waiting in line. :D THANKS!
DAN Nov 19th 2007 1:13PM
WHEN WILL THESE STUPID BASTARDS BAN PEOPLE ON THE DAMN AIRLINES ??
G. Johnson Nov 19th 2007 1:25PM
As a person who flies a fair number of times, almost every time requires some idiotic act to get through "security". Flip-flops w/o socks? You must walk through barefoot. You can't wear a jacket, but you can wear a bulky sweater or sweatshirt. 4 books of matches? Go right ahead, even though you couldn't possibly smoke that much in the one lounge. The TSA is one of the biggest boondoggles I've ever seen. Get w/ the program and spend the money to do iris scans instead of sticking your hand in my bag and massaging my worn underwear!
Lynda Nov 19th 2007 1:25PM
The problem here is that everyone is thinking like a law abiding citizen. We do not sit at home or in an office, trying to come up with ways to blow up a plane. On the other hand, things like this are the job of terrorist. Our minds are on things like going on a vacation, visiting family and friends and having a good time, not how to blow up the plane we will be on. I am sure I could look around my home and see numerous things that could be classed as dangerous. The criminal mind works on a completely different circuit. Just be glad so many precautions are being taken to provide our safety so that the remainder of us will never have to face another 9/11.
al Nov 19th 2007 1:33PM
None of this will stop until WE demand that the government govern and not dictate. There are unlimited number of ways to destroy things and no one can prevent it-FACT!
Unfortunately people are mostly sheep, cows, or any number of other herd animals that won't (can't) educate themselves to take back our country, too much work (how 'bout them cowboys Enis?).
As a society we can be pretty PATHETIC and hopeless.
al Nov 19th 2007 1:35PM
Ugh!
Prebby Nov 19th 2007 1:43PM
OK guys...the snow globe thing is not new. It started August 10th, 2006. The entire liquid ordeal began at that time.
BAS Nov 19th 2007 9:49PM
Forgot to mention that I spent 9 yrs in cargo..where there is 100% check on cargo..you must be a known shipper to the airline to ship cargo. Anyone who is not..will have 100% inspection before the cargo is allowed on a passenger aircraft.. and as for sweatshirts or other baggy clothing..you generally must have a pat down to insure you are not trying to get prohibited items on the plane..shouldn't all travelers be ok with that?
Mano-man Nov 19th 2007 1:55PM
How to set off a bomb in an airport. Make sure the bomb will be confiscated by airport security. You board the plane and disappear before the bomb goes off.
Stupid isn't it. How does security know that your aftershave is really napalm and your zippo is the detinator? They don't. They asume that all the goods confiscated are exactly what they are. So they sort the stuff out; drink it, sell it, or pass it on to unsespecting needy people.
kenn Nov 19th 2007 1:51PM
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!
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
This is for those that gave them up before their flight to replace them after they flew in to their destination silly.
imnitesacribe Nov 20th 2007 12:08AM
In just a few years we will have to strip & put on unifotms the airlines provide and dress with our own clothers at the end of the flight. Seriously! That is the ultimate power exchange for swo-called security. Excuse me, Madam. But you have a wart on your butt
Redetoret Nov 19th 2007 2:00PM
If the TSA is so concerned about potential weapons, why do they allow ink pens and pencils. Seems to me they would be very effective weapons.
Glad Nov 19th 2007 1:58PM
Ignorant Ignorant people!!! OMG Do you understand that there are VERY good reasons that certain items are banned-even though it doesn't make sense to you. Items you buy past the security checkpoint have already been cleared and screened and thats why you can buy them there but you can not bring them from your own home. DUHHH Watch the news- read the paper GET A CLUE. These bans are put in place for YOUR security and safety- For obvious reasons they are not going to tell you, the average person their reasons for everything they do and why. YOU are going up in the air with that plane, not the TSA agent. So why dont you shut up throw away your $2.00 toothpaste (and stop holding up the line for your damn $2.00 toothpaste) and thank your lucky stars that there is someone there protecting your stupid ignorant ass from terrorist in the 1st place. Im pretty sure all the poor people who lost their lives in 9/11 wish there would have been a TSA agent there to screen the passengers that got on that flight. Whats more important to you??? A $10 snowglobe or your safety??? Can you imagine how many plots by terrorists have been dettered just by the presence of TSA alone- you will never know but just be thankful that your still here to read this.
Happy to go through whatever security that will keep me alive.