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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 1 of 11)

ken Jul 29th 2009 6:52PM

TSA did this to me years ago in Orlando with a rubber saber. I pulled it out of my carry on and repeatedly stabbed myself in the chest to show it was harmless - even more harmless than airplane food, but TSA said it was a "weapon". So I had to step out of line and mail it home. yet another case of TSA wasting tax payers money!

Jon Lazarus Jul 30th 2009 2:15PM

Ever think about putting them in your checked bags??

Niki Jul 30th 2009 5:00PM

@ Jon Lazarus, Oh yeah, and pay $60-80 to check a $5 toy. Smart. Last time I went to Disney World, I took two carryons. One (smaller than everyone elses) stowed away, and the other under my seat.

Whats sad is Ive seen these toys... ...the wooden guns are no longer real looking. I recall a decade ago they added bright orange tips so make sure people knew they werent real... ...but now each wooden gun is either stained blue, or stained red, along with the orange tip.

Now, I can see how someone could make a real gun look fake... ...but after playing with it, and running it through the scanner, after proven its not a real gun, I dont think it should be an issue, I mean, its not like the parents going to hold up a plane with a fake gun. And a FL airport like that should be used to those toys.

I remember pre 9/11, since I had my walkman out, they made me turn it on to see if it really was real. I wonder what would have happened if my batteries were dead. What I dont understand is beverages. Ok, transporting dangerous liquids, I see, but if Im drinking it, it should be an issue. If Im drinking it and havent even gotten to the scanners yet because the line is so long, I shouldnt have to throw it away, If Im drinking it. And if I offer to stay behind to finish it, I shouldnt be force to throw it away immediately... ...this particular behavior isnt for our safety, its for the vendors inside's profit, and a little bit for their ego as well. BTW, those WDW toys... ...I bet you anything they sell the same toys inside in the gift shops.

Also, cool creepy picture of the castle

KARIN Jul 30th 2009 5:04PM

Yeah. Great point, Jon. Your hands and feet are weapons as well. Maybe you should check those in with your luggage too. You are indeed a genius, Jon.

Ken Jul 30th 2009 5:52PM

Stupid is as stupid does. Go to the TSA website before you travel and learn the facts. Don't call the airline they haven't got a clue on the rules and they are posted all over their counters. Flying is not a right it is a privelege.

Ken Jul 30th 2009 6:03PM

Your right Karin Jon did make a good point/suggestion. Your just to stupid to understand. It is so easy to get on your flight all you have to do is follow the rules. You probably don't like following procedures. So next time you want to go somewheres walk or take a bus.

Mona Jul 30th 2009 6:18PM

TSA did the very same thing to my son when he was 6 years old on a trip home from Disney World. He cried the entire flight home. So stupid really. Its like our common sense went out of us all when 9/11 happened.

Slappy Jul 29th 2009 10:58PM

My personal experience and belief is that post 9/11 security procedures are a waste of time and do nothing to secure the airline.

I'm all for metal detectors, but, taking off shoes? Not being allowed to bring on a toy, obviously fake gun?

And the measures in place don't actually do anything...we have the failed audits, the guy smuggling bomb parts in to the bathroom and leaving notes for the ground crew, the TSA folks letting the improperly cleared cleaning crew in to a secure area....seriously, we're not any safer and it takes us longer to be that way.

Ken Jul 30th 2009 6:03PM

Slappy do you remember Richard Reid. Or do you just tie onto the bandwagon of pissers and moaners. You probably are one of the flying public who waits until the last minute to get to the airport and can't understand why they can't just run to the gate. Why not say something about all the things TSA has found. No body ever said that TSA could be perfect. But they are a helluva lot better than the previous.

Mona Jul 30th 2009 6:23PM

Exactly! At my local airport, you pull up and "security" has you open your trunk and they look inside. I could have explosives in there in luggage, they wouldn't know...they don't look in or under anything so they aren't protecting us from anything! Anyone that thinks we are safer post 9/11 due to the "changes in security" are fooling themselves.

Slappy Jul 30th 2009 8:05PM

@Ken: Of course I remember Richard Reid. Are you one of those people who think putting his shoes through the metal detector would've actually shown anything? His shoes weren't filled with nails, they were filled with plastic explosive.

And for your information, I arrive at the airport 2 to 3 hours before my flight depending on whether it is domestic or international.

And I'm glad your experience is different than mine, but, the only difference between now and previous on the airports I fly through is that it's way more of a pain in the butt to get anything done with no improvement. And as opposed to your anecdotal claptrap, the audits (GAO and others) show that the same or more stuff is getting through.

Doug Jul 30th 2009 10:47PM

All of you folks need to understand something. The same people who are trying to convince you that the bailouts and "stimulus" spackage were in our best intrest, are the same people who are in charge of DHS/TSA!
So why would you even question their judgement?
Bear in mind the TSO's that are REQUIRED by their "leaders" to enforce the "rules" had no part in writing those rules and no latitude in their enforcement!
We could have solved nearly all the economic woes of the country with a $600,000,000 stimulus pkg. directly to each of the 300,000,000 LEGAL citizens rather than 800+ TRILLION to a select few corporations and individuals, without even a requirement that they show us what they are doing with the money!

And wait until those same people that make the TSA rules write YOUR healthcare "rules"!!!!

Slappy Jul 31st 2009 3:05AM

@Doug: Yes, we are questioning TSA regulations (not the work ethics, not the need for security, not the attitudes of employees), that are "security theater" as I've seen it described elsewhere (http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200811/airport-security or http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/18/60minutes/main4675524.shtml to use the first two google hits).

What precisely that has to do with stimulus packages, etc. I'm not sure though the very creation of DHS and all its parts was a massive expenditure.

Aisley Jul 29th 2009 11:19PM

This would have been a very funny story if is wasn't so ridicuolous! In all the history of plane hijacking I have never heard of the criminals buying weapons and ammo at Disney World. If it would have being an adult, maybe, just maybe, would have being ok. But an 8 year-old? People that have nothing better to do than abuse a poor kid like this shouldn't be working were they get a chance to do it.

Ken Jul 30th 2009 6:15PM

Yes TSA is at every major airport. The SFO crew wears the TSA uniform but they are not TSA. They are a private contractor that SFO has decided to stay with. So Mr. CBP wake up.

Shannon Jul 30th 2009 6:16PM

Aisley - the point of the whole process is that a terrorist or individual who wishes to do the flight some harm would certainly have no issue stooping to a level to give a weapon to a child and then raise bloody hell if security tries to take that "toy" away - people have smuggled items and drugs in baby's diapers! Try to think beyond the pale for a minute - they are trained in these scenarios - you obviously are not. So what you see as, I'm laughing here, "abusing a poor kid"; those who actually have training in national security and threats see as the possibility some scumbag may use that loophole to get a weapon on the plane! The minute a TSA agent feels "bad" and lets a kid bring a toy that turns out to be a weapon on the plane every complainer on this board will be singing a different tune.

Joe Jul 30th 2009 4:10AM

I see this as more of the cover your ass method of thinking that is pervasive in a lot of employees. Even if it is a toy the fact that it fits the description is enough to get it banned. Even though the TSA staff could use discretion and think for a second it's far easier to just say no.

In there defense, if they did let a kid on the plane with a toy gun I'm pretty sure someone would find a way to spin the story of TSA letting guns on the plane using kids as mules.

GB Jul 30th 2009 1:06PM

On a recent trip through SFO, I witnessed a TSA agent being pointlessly rude and abusive to a flustered young couple traveling with a baby. When I got close, I asked him why he was so mean. He looked me in the eye and replied "Sh*t job, sh*t pay." I think this sums-up everything that is wrong with the TSA. These people do not make flying any safer, but they sure make it more painful. The real kicker is that if you confront a TSA agent about their blatant bad behavior, they have the power to ruin your whole day.