Think you've got the best trip-from-hell story? Right now, a few hundred air passengers in Spain probably have you beat. They are stranded in airports across Spain because their airline, Air Madrid, went bust on Friday, leaving hundreds without flights home for the holidays.
I myself had a particularly hellish journey over Thanksgiving weekend (thanks, United), but nothing quite as dire. The one item that provided a little humor during my many hours in various airports: the "Prohibited Carry-on Items" box at the Bloomington, Illinois, airport. This glass box was chock full of what can only be described as torture implements: Carving knives, swords, nunchukas, brass knuckles, brass knuckles with blades, throwing stars, poison, you name it. What was missing was the piece of leftover Thanksgiving pie that the security officers confiscated from the woman in front of me, citing its 'gelatin' consistency as a security risk.
Apparently, it still needs to be spelled out to people that their nunchukas aren't allowed inside the plane cabin. Before you fly this holiday season, do check out the TSA site on prohibited items, if only for comedic effect. They've covered just about every question you may have about what you can carry onto a plane.
For instance, TSA specifically lists the following as prohibited carry-on items, no doubt because someone, somewhere has tried to board a plane with them:
- Meat Cleavers
- Cattle Prods
- Sabers
- Billy Clubs
- Throwing Stars
- Gasoline
- Tear Gas
There are many more, so do check it out. I will point out that the TSA doesn't specifically mention mice, though perhaps they should after this little mishap this week. They have, however, taken the time to address one very important threat:
Snow globes regardless of size or amount of liquid inside, even with documentation, are prohibited in your carry-on. Please ship these items or pack them in your checked baggage.
I assume this means that even my John Ashcroft snow globe would be a prohibited item. I'll have to wrap it extra carefully.
Read More
