Toddler’s Minions ‘fart blaster’ not allowed on flight as it has a trigger
A toddler was left distraught when he had to leave his Minions “fart blaster” at an airport because it was deemed a security risk. Leo Fitzpatrick, three, was traveling home from a trip to see his mother’s family in Dublin when his Despicable Me toy showed up on the X-ray machine.
This decision by airport security to take this boys toy away which was just purchased for him by his grandfather left him devastated. On one hand it is absolutely crazy that this well known kids toy would raise alarm on the part of airport security. On the other hand airport security has a certain very specific set of guidelines to follow which ultimately insure the safety of all passengers.
A Dublin Airport spokeswoman said the family surrendered the item after it was spotted at security because replica guns are prohibited.
She said: “We do not seize or confiscate items that are prohibited through the passenger security screening area. If passengers are carrying prohibited items they must be surrendered in order to continue on their journey. While it is unfortunate the Minion toy had to be surrendered it is important to note the following:
“Safety of passengers and security compliance is a priority at Dublin Airport. 1) We do not make up the security rules but we have to apply them.
“2) Toy/replica guns are on the prohibited list for security screening. 3) We are subject to stringent audits on a regular basis, internally and by two external bodies on a national level the other at EU level to ensure compliance. We adopt a consistent approach so there is no confusion for passengers and our staff in the area.
“4) Had this been an auditor on a covert operation with the toy gun we would have failed the compliance test. While we apologized to the family for the inconvenience caused we did say that we would hold onto the Minion toy so the family can collect on return from their holiday.”
While I do understand policy and keeping passengers safe, it is very hard for me to see this child as a threat of any sort. This does underpin a very heightened sense of fear and paranoia that didn’t exist in our society even two decades ago as it does now.
While this is not “the face of terror” when we look at some of the atrocities being played out by radical terror groups and their lack of reluctance to use children as a means to carry out terror attacks we have to ask ourselves what is ‘too far’ when it comes to security and what is ‘not enough’ and we have to be honest when it comes to our world view when we answer these questions.
Ultimately it is heartbreaking for a child to be subjected to a confiscation like this but the alternative had there been something awry with this toy would have been unspeakable.
We would love to hear your comments here.
Is this too much?
Do you feel that airport security needs restrictions that are this tight to keep travelers safe in today’s violent world?
