TSA Stops Chewbacca’s Light Saber, Despite TSA’s Policy on Carry On Light Sabers
Last Monday, the 3rd of June, Star Wars star Peter Mayhew, better known as everyone’s favourite Wookiee, Chewbacca, was briefly stopped by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Denver International Airport with his chest-high light saber. Standing 7-feet 2-inches tall, the light saber double’s as the 69 year old actor’s cane.
While the TSA Transportation Security Officers (TSO) may have been curious about Meyhew’s light saber, the fact is the TSA permits light sabers as carry on items. Not only does the TSA permit light sabers, but the agency expressly does so in writing.
Meyhew was cleared by TSA TSOs in less than five minutes to pass through the checkpoint with his light saber. One can only hope that next time TSA TSOs encounter a light saber they’ll be more familiar with carry on restrictions and not give it a second thought … although it should be noted the official reason the light saber shaped cane was stopped was due to the unusual weight of the item.
Below is a photo from Peter Meyhew’s twitter, @TheWookieeRoars, account depicting TSA TSO’s and his light saber, and a screen capture of the TSA’s policy regarding light saber’s as carry on.
Happy Flying!
slow news day?
That is really funny. Great story!
And in the next sentence it says that they may not allow it through. Slow news day and then some.
When I first started flying airplanes life was so much simpler and hassle free – today if you want to travel you are captive to the TSA.
If anyone ever wondered if our country has gone from high speed to slower than slow all you need to do is take a trip on the airlines!
For me I will slip on my pilot sunglasses, pull my airplane out of the hangar and skip all the TSA nonsense!