A father who travels accompanied by (presumably his son’s)
toy Woody doll (of Toy Story fame), was recently shocked when staff at Heathrow
felt it necessary to confiscate the doll’s fake pistol. He travels with the
doll to take pictures for his son, which is sweet.
For clarity here, that gun is a small lump of plastic that
vaguely resembles a gun and measures two inches tops. A member of security
staff examined the little “gun” and then confiscated it. According to the
father the staff member was very nice about the whole thing and did try and see
if they could let him keep it, on account of its exactly 0% threat level, but
no dice.
A spokesperson for the government’s Department for Transport
has stated that they do not comment on specific incidents. Also stating “Airports
and airlines can use their discretion to remove any item being carried in hand
luggage when they believe it may be perceived as a threat.” That’s
understandable, but I’m still not sure they had grounds given it’s a tiny, almost
gun-shaped, bit of plastic.
Clearly the Heathrow staff were big Buzz Lightyear supporters
and have never forgiven Woody for keeping his position as Andy’s top toy.
Ari Carrington