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TSA claims Disney souvenirs equal weapons - takes toys from an 8 year old

by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Jul 29th 2009 at 4:30PM

OK, this does it - the TSA has finally proven that they are incapable of any rational thought.

When 8 year old Jeremiah Ramirez took a trip to Disney World, he did so in order to take his mind off the loss of his father, who died of cancer.

What was supposed to be a normal flight back home with some of the toys he purchased at the park, turned into a show of power by the security staff at Ft. Lauderdale airport.

Apparently, they are of the opinion that a toy sword and Disney gun, could be used to take down the plane - so they confiscated them. And if that wasn't enough, the family then saw the TSA agents playing with the toys.

The story does have a happy ending, as Disney was kind enough to replace the toys when they heard about the incident.

I can fully understand that the TSA does not want to take any risks with weapons designed to look like the real thing (that rule is spelled out on their site), but do any of the people hired to protect our nation really think that an 8 year old boy getting over the loss of his father would be able to hijack a plane using a plastic "Pirates of the Caribbean" sword?

Common sense is gone from the checkpoint, and to me, that is score 1 for the terrorists.

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Filed under: North America, United States, News

Reader Comments (Page 5 of 11)

GIA Jul 30th 2009 5:52PM

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU! You don't have to like the rules you just have to follow them! I agree that these rules may be dumb but in the end they have a purpose. Couldn't we just save time and check in ANYTHING that could be called into question?????

Debbie Jul 30th 2009 4:08PM

TSA did this to us on our way home from Orlando. They confiscated my 3 year old neice's slow globe from Magic Kingdom saying it had more fluid than is allowed. She started to cry and they couldn't care less. I told the agent I hope his daughter enjoys the globe. To believe that they throw away all the stuff they take from passengers is an insult. Common sense people. Meanwhile a women on our flight was using a big bottle of hairspray -- I wonder how that go through.

Ceci Aug 4th 2009 3:47PM

I am so sorry about what happened to that little boy. What a disgrace. Don't they have any compassion? And for the family, hopefully the little boy didn't, to see TSA employees playing with the toys is dispicable. Are they idiots? And they have jobs protecting us!!!!!! What a disgrace

DJW Jul 30th 2009 4:48PM

I just returned from Disney World with my kids and purchased similar items. There are large signs all over the place that say "if you are traveling by plane, you should put these items in your checked luggage or risk being confiscated".
I blame the parents.
Read the signs and this wouldn't have happened.
If they allow this to go through, who knows what terrorists may try to conceal in these toys.

Michele Jul 30th 2009 4:11PM

I could poke everyone's eyes out with my keys are they going to take them off of everyone too? Sorry you have to step aside and mail your keys home before you can get on the plane.

mthudak Jul 30th 2009 4:12PM

I must admit, I do a fair bit of travelling and haven't had any particular problems with TSA. The airports I've gone through, for the most part, they have been courteous and attentive, although there have been times when I have wondered just how thorough they have been. I don't mind taking off my shoes, etc., since we have already had a situation in which someone tried to use a shoe bomb.

Having said that, this is pretty absurd. If they were going to have a zero tolerance rule, and felt that these things looked enough like weapons to consider that a possibility -- okay, I doubt it, but okay, better safe than sorry...THAT argument flew out the window when the TSA's were spotted playing with the toys, if what the story says is true. If they were playing with them, then they clearly knew that these were no threat. Those folks should be fired, or at least suspended for their unprofessional behavior. Who knew Disney could be such a good guy, and replace the toys -- nice ending, but that poor kid spent the whole trip, and however much longer until the toys were replaced, being sad and disappointed, on top of losing his father. Idiots!

michael Jul 30th 2009 4:12PM

what idiot tries to board a plane with anything even remotely resembling a weapon?

doc Jul 30th 2009 9:16PM

well lets see!!!!! what resembles a weapon? a pen?a newspaper? a magazine? the carry on bag you brought on board?the belt that holds up you're pants?maybe not but these and many other everyday items can with the proper training can be devastating weapons.while an 8 year old is not a threat is his father or mother??

Pam Jul 30th 2009 10:15PM

My sister travelled from ATL to RIC with a water bottle in her carry on that was half full! The TSA agents in ATL never saw it. TSA discovered it in her bag in RIC on her way back home!

LS Jul 30th 2009 4:29PM

You, must remember that many of those who are employed there feel like they are doing an excellent job. They have control over ther lives of everyone who travels through they metal detector. The government sees it as a way of having more control over your life and they are providing a service to the country by employing thousands of people. Many are double dippers. i.e. retired military or those who always wanted to be in law enforcement but couldn't quite cut the mustard. It certainly dosen't have any desire to be cost efficent (just count the number of employes at some of the more remote locations like Cedar City, Ut or Missoula, Mt) These people may only have a couple of flights a day.
Just keep voting in your same old Senators and Representatives and don't bother to tell them what you think. Remember they are doing what they think is best for you not what you want them to do. Have a nice day

Don Jul 30th 2009 4:29PM

I go to Disney at least twice a year and everytime I am there for the last 20 years, the stores have signs very clearly saying put this stuff in your checked luggage. This was the case before 9/11 and before TSA.

Robby Curb Jul 30th 2009 4:19PM

Being a frequent international traveler I have had the opportunity to observe first hand to actions of the people on the front line of our nations defense and they have consistently proven the old addage that you get what you pay for. Maybe if professionals were actually employed by TSA we could expect to see professional conduct.

David Jul 30th 2009 4:21PM

LOL, ha ha ha. I don't have all the facts, but I think the TSA acted stupidly.

exoticdoc2 Jul 30th 2009 4:22PM

There has never been any doubt, TSA agents on the average are power deranged morons. The dregs tend to go to work for TSA.

Ann Jul 30th 2009 4:19PM

TSA is doing the job they are hired to do. And I assure you that that boy wasn't flying alone. So, how is TSA to know that the gun or sword are not going to be used by an adult once on the secure side of the airport? Granted, it was a toy, but where do you draw the line? A lighter shaped like a hand granade or a gun should be allowed??? They are lighters, not actual weapons....nonetheless, they are designed to look like the real thing. And you're not allowed to bring "brass knuckles" through....even if it's a belt buckle.
Yep, I worked for TSA for a year. Loved the passengers, hated the co-workers. They had stitched on badges, at the time. Now, with the metal badge....they completely misuse the purpose for them.
It's sad, but TSA is all we've got to protect us and almost 50% of the officers at McCarran airport in Las Vegas, failed their yearly tests. With that many officers working restricted duties, who is protecting air travel in and out of that airport?

Kay Jul 30th 2009 4:26PM

Come on folks, in this day and time, why couldn't the toys be put in the baggage? Maybe the TSA were wrong, but how do you draw lines, do you ask every child, "Did you go to disney cause you are grieving?" I feel for the child, but the parents shouldn't be so naive to think that a plastic gun and sword would get on the plane. Maybe it isn't any better, who really knows, what TSA has stopped from going on a plane, but it is the way we have to live now. Get over it or drive.

kerry Jul 30th 2009 4:22PM

I have a 2 family members who have come to visit me in Costa Rica. 2 seperate visits in the past 60 days, American Airlines and Continental. Items were removed/stolen: digital camera, GPS, my mother in laws underwear and sunglasses, more... No one will take responsibility. We're supposed to trust TSA with our lives, meanwhile they're stealing or allowing people to steal from us. TSA seems to be kind of full of $hit

Kathy Jul 31st 2009 12:43PM

My family has lost thousands of dollars of items that have disappeared either from TSA or Airline baggage people. Shoes, clothes, jewelry, Ipod chargers, and more. Every time I fly I think about what could end up missing this time. Great deal for those people. What a joke that they are keeping us safe.
We can thank the terrorists for all this craziness.

joe Jul 30th 2009 4:54PM

why wasn't it simply placed in a marked plastic bag and placed in the cargo hold with the other checked in lugage. if you can deam it a toy but still dont want it near the passager area just check it for the guest and move on with your lives. i can see if maybe it had been made of mettal and had to be examined further. if that was the case then you confiscate and tell the passager once it is proven to not be a threat it will be mailed back to them.