Before I share this information with you, let me set this up by explaining the combination of exhaustion from the weeks worth of traveling, the wonderful, generous gifts we received and the amount of luggage space I underestimated needing all play a part in this now comical but at first unnerving event.
I consider myself fairly intelligent but plead temporary stupidity due to the factors stated above.
The various studios all provided us with generous gifts that will be discussed in other areas. I would like to express my appreciation for their generosity. These gifts were far more than I expected.
As my wife and I were packing the morning of our departure, it became quite obvious to us that we did not bring sufficient luggage to carry home the afore mentioned gifts. It became quite the task packing these items and the items we purchased into the three bags. I swear there were times when I considered leaving some of the clothing behind in order to have room for the gifts. When given the choice, I’m sure many of you would have considered the same. These gifts were presented in nice carrying bags and ultimately, I conceded that I would have to have an additional carry on piece of luggage. I grabbed the gift bag that I thought would be the easiest handle to carry and started loading it up with gifts. Some that were already in the bag and some that I added.
One of the very nice gifts provided by a studio was a chocolate, full size replica of a .44 Magnum celebrating the Dirty Harry series on DVD. An excellent idea…that is unless you forget about it being in your CARRY ON LUGGAGE!! We arrived at the Burbank Airport and we proceeded to perform the usual screening routine and sent our carry on bags through the X-ray machine. However, this time the screener seemed to take a long time reviewing one bag in particular. “Who owns this bag?” was the loud question that drew everybody’s attention. “That would be me”, I replied. At first she questioned the glass mugs, but then the second security individual brought over for the review seemed to take a longer look at the X-ray.
“I’ll meet you at the end of the conveyor belt” where a very tall, impressive looking security guard began to look at the items in my carry on. As you have guessed by now, he pulls out the box with the chocolate replica and begins to get a very serious look on his face. “I never even thought about the candy!” I quickly and loudly said to my wife. “That is a gift that we completely forgot was in the bag.”
Let’s see, how many times did I say that phrase hoping it would convince someone of our innocence????
After looking at it for a moment, the tall gentleman with the badge on his shirt said, “You realize you could be arrested for this don’t you? You aren’t allowed to carry any simulated weapon on an aircraft and this could appear to be the genuine thing from a distance.” Again, I explained what it was and apologized for the mistake. He said he would need to get advice from his supervisor first.
I must also add that during this entire time, the security people were firm, but still maintained a pleasant personality with us. There were never any “attitudes with badges”, only good people handling their job as they should. By the way, all of the security guards were rather impressed with the attention to detail of the gift.
One of the guards took the confiscated chocolate and left for an office to discuss it with the supervisor. Painfull moments went by while we contemplated our future…would it be back in Indiana or in some nasty jail cell making “new friends”. I also took this moment to call Ron and ask him to remind everyone else of this issue.
Finally the supervisor came out with a smile on his face that you could read said “What kind of idiots are you people?” Again, he was professional and firm, but at the same time pleasant with us in listening to our error. After we went through our entire week’s worth of trip information and gifts and offering to dispose of the questionable gift, he allowed us to keep it, but told us not to have it out or show it to anyone.
My thanks to this gentleman and the entire TSA group for doing their job and to also have an understanding of what was a stupid error on my part.
So for any of you reading this that haven’t departed the HTF Hollywood event, please remember to check any chocolate gifts that you are taking back with you.
I consider myself fairly intelligent but plead temporary stupidity due to the factors stated above.
The various studios all provided us with generous gifts that will be discussed in other areas. I would like to express my appreciation for their generosity. These gifts were far more than I expected.
As my wife and I were packing the morning of our departure, it became quite obvious to us that we did not bring sufficient luggage to carry home the afore mentioned gifts. It became quite the task packing these items and the items we purchased into the three bags. I swear there were times when I considered leaving some of the clothing behind in order to have room for the gifts. When given the choice, I’m sure many of you would have considered the same. These gifts were presented in nice carrying bags and ultimately, I conceded that I would have to have an additional carry on piece of luggage. I grabbed the gift bag that I thought would be the easiest handle to carry and started loading it up with gifts. Some that were already in the bag and some that I added.
One of the very nice gifts provided by a studio was a chocolate, full size replica of a .44 Magnum celebrating the Dirty Harry series on DVD. An excellent idea…that is unless you forget about it being in your CARRY ON LUGGAGE!! We arrived at the Burbank Airport and we proceeded to perform the usual screening routine and sent our carry on bags through the X-ray machine. However, this time the screener seemed to take a long time reviewing one bag in particular. “Who owns this bag?” was the loud question that drew everybody’s attention. “That would be me”, I replied. At first she questioned the glass mugs, but then the second security individual brought over for the review seemed to take a longer look at the X-ray.
“I’ll meet you at the end of the conveyor belt” where a very tall, impressive looking security guard began to look at the items in my carry on. As you have guessed by now, he pulls out the box with the chocolate replica and begins to get a very serious look on his face. “I never even thought about the candy!” I quickly and loudly said to my wife. “That is a gift that we completely forgot was in the bag.”
Let’s see, how many times did I say that phrase hoping it would convince someone of our innocence????
After looking at it for a moment, the tall gentleman with the badge on his shirt said, “You realize you could be arrested for this don’t you? You aren’t allowed to carry any simulated weapon on an aircraft and this could appear to be the genuine thing from a distance.” Again, I explained what it was and apologized for the mistake. He said he would need to get advice from his supervisor first.
I must also add that during this entire time, the security people were firm, but still maintained a pleasant personality with us. There were never any “attitudes with badges”, only good people handling their job as they should. By the way, all of the security guards were rather impressed with the attention to detail of the gift.
One of the guards took the confiscated chocolate and left for an office to discuss it with the supervisor. Painfull moments went by while we contemplated our future…would it be back in Indiana or in some nasty jail cell making “new friends”. I also took this moment to call Ron and ask him to remind everyone else of this issue.
Finally the supervisor came out with a smile on his face that you could read said “What kind of idiots are you people?” Again, he was professional and firm, but at the same time pleasant with us in listening to our error. After we went through our entire week’s worth of trip information and gifts and offering to dispose of the questionable gift, he allowed us to keep it, but told us not to have it out or show it to anyone.
My thanks to this gentleman and the entire TSA group for doing their job and to also have an understanding of what was a stupid error on my part.
So for any of you reading this that haven’t departed the HTF Hollywood event, please remember to check any chocolate gifts that you are taking back with you.
