Transformers shirt gets jet ban

[glenn-bob]

I didn't see this anywhere on the forum...incredibly rediculous IMO...

Transformers shirt gets jet ban
By ANDY CRICK

Published: 02 Jun 2008

AIRPORT guards stopped a man boarding a plane — for wearing a Transformers T-shirt showing a cartoon gun.

Brad Jayakody, 30, was shocked when he was told to change his top if he wanted to catch his flight from Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

IT consultant Brad — on a British Airways trip with four colleagues to Dusseldorf, Germany — asked to see the security chief. He thought the boss would "see sense" — but he backed up the decision and threatened him with ARREST. Aussie-born Brad said: "My mate set off the alarms and was searched. "But then the guy told me to stop and said ‘you cannot get on the plane because there is a gun on your T-shirt’." The top has the Transformers film character Optimus Prime on the front. Brad, of Bayswater, West London, added: "It’s a cartoon robot with a gun as an arm. What was I going to do, use the shirt to pretend I have a gun?

"I was flabbergasted. I thought the supervisor would come over and see sense, but he didn’t. After I changed he said if I changed back I would be arrested."

A spokesman for Heathrow operator BAA said: "If a T-shirt had a rude word or a bomb on it for example, a passenger may be asked to remove it.

"We are investigating what happened to see if it came under this category."

Last year Gatwick guards made a woman hand over a beef sandwich before boarding and last week a PhD student was stopped for wearing a gun-shaped charm necklace at an airport in Canada.

[wormraper]

people are fing retarded sometimes.

[Caligula]

THIS IS WAY TOOOOO FU--ED UP!!

not like they can get gun off the shirt and shoot people or takeover airplane.
unless the captain is dumb and assume cartoon gun on a shirt was real.

[Mr. Hanky]

It does seem pretty ridiculous, but I think it bears consideration that Europe is far more familiar with terrorism/hijack issues than we are in the states. So what may be a strict zero-tolerance policy over there may seem hyper-sensitive over here. Plus, the meaning of "Transformers" just may not have the pop recognition over there as it does here, hence it is not obvious that the symbolism is simply referencing "cartoon characters" in a movie.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by wormraper

people are fing retarded sometimes.

+ Minus 1 .....Sorry, I am retarded.

No really, I agree. I think he was profiled. He does look a little suspicious with that cartoon character covering the sticks of dynamite under his shirt.

If he was arrested I wonder if that could considered false arrest and result in a big pay day?

Maybe the next time I ride a plane I'll wear a 9/11 tribute shirt with the WTC on it. I wonder what they would say to a tall white male with such a thing.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by Mr. Hanky

... Plus, the meaning of "Transformers" just may not have the pop recognition over there as it does here, hence it is not obvious that the symbolism is simply referencing "cartoon characters" in a movie.

Oh c'mon, American movies are known world wide. Even if only as bootlegs.

Did you read the whole article? One woman had to hand over a beef sandwhich at some other airport!

It's official. The frikken inmates have taken over the assylum. If that was my security screener making an ass out of me I'd scream him stupid and humiliate him in front of the passengers as he did to that innocent man. What a tool.

[Beta Man]

What is this "British" you speak of?

[NJ_RAMS_FAN]

wow, totally stupid... it's a freaking shirt...

[Mr. Hanky]

Originally Posted by tron3

Oh c'mon, American movies are known world wide. Even if only as bootlegs.

Did you read the whole article? One woman had to hand over a beef sandwhich at some other airport!

Yes, the beef sandwich story is crazy. I'm sure American movies have their presence over there, as well...but just consider this, not everyone's life centers around movies, let alone understands what a "Transformer" is. As a security agent, it is not exactly feasible to instantly recognize every pop icon that pulls through the line, across the entire European community (let alone those crazy "Yanks" across the pond). At some point, you just got to go with your gut, and "call it" if something "looks" menacing. No one is going to guilt you for playing it safe, but the hammer is definitely going to come down on you for overlooking something that happens to later turn ugly. Looking at it a different way, is it really the best shirt you can think of to put on going through an airport, that has a gun-like symbol on it? Certainly you can take things that little extra step to make security implementation roll smoothly.

It is easy for you or me to instantly recognize a "Transformers" logo as non-threatening. Just be aware that this symbolism is not universally recognized across the world and in all walks of life. Not having that contextual basis at your disposal, it is a t-shirt with a gun on it. While the t-shirt may not present a physical threat, itself, it is certainly enough symbolism to warrant a shakedown to determine if you are up to something or just a wise-ass. That's the liability you take when you decide to come to the airport with attire that isn't utterly forgettable and indistinct, imo.

[savage1984]

i think he should have been stopped. wearing that t-shirt was out-right rude. Someone could have gotten hurt.

[savage1984]

just kidding. i can't believe he got stopped. i woulda been seriously annoyed.

[john_1958]

Originally Posted by melsbluespecv

wow, totally stupid... it's a freaking shirt...

yeah imagine if he went topless ?lol

[Psychonaut]

Ida been like, "OI! 'Ere's the real gun, mate!! An' a li'l somfing else wat dunks in your tea!" *zzzzzip*

[MATTYBLU2]

Can you say LAWSUIT!!!!

[Caligula]

before we know it, people start flying barefoot without shoes

[X400]

really messed up.. its almost funny (if it wasnt scary) how these customs/security guards at airports enjoy the extra freedom to use their power :/



another note, Transformers is probably more popular in the UK than it is in the US.. when everyone here forgot about it, it was still popular over there

[Marquoz]

I don't understand why the guy didn't just flip his shirt around and go on about his business. Yeah it sucks he got stopped and told to do it, but you are in a high security zone, just do what you are told, and get on with your life and forget about it! A lot less stress.

[danay82]

I better not wear my GI Joe shirt next time I go through an Airport. No telling how many real crazy people will pass by if I get stopped for something minor.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Psychonaut

Ida been like, "OI! 'Ere's the real gun, mate!! An' a li'l somfing else wat dunks in your tea!" *zzzzzip*

And after that we hear you say, "Don't taze me bro! Don't taze me!"

On topic, maybe the guards think it's one of those origami t-shirts that fold into a real organic gun. The bullets are from Q-tips.


fuad

[savage1984]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

And after that we hear you say, "Don't taze me bro! Don't taze me!"

On topic, maybe the guards think it's one of those origami t-shirts that fold into a real organic gun. The bullets are from Q-tips.


fuad

I think you've been watching too much eXistenZ