“Fart Blaster” Smells Like Bananas & Is Not Allowed on Planes
Jackie Reddy August 18, 2015
It’s clearly just a toy, but that didn’t stop airport security in Dublin from seizing a child’s Fart Blaster.
For staff at Dublin Airport (DUB), security is no laughing matter — even when the weapon about to be seized is obviously a toy.
Late last week, DUB security confiscated a toddler’s toy as he was on his way to board a flight with his parents. Officers reportedly seized the toy — a “Fart Blaster” used by Minions in the film Despicable Me 2 — after deeming it a replica gun, one of the items prohibited by the airport.
When the trigger is pulled, the Fart Blaster makes a predictable noise and emits a banana scent. Although quite obviously harmless, staff at DUB took away 3-year-old Leo Fitzpatrick’s toy, explaining to the family that even replica guns are in violation of security policies.
The boy’s mother, Daire Fitzpatrick, posted her reaction to the incident on Facebook, saying: “The usual standards are not only woefully below par when it comes to important things, but now apparently when it comes to obviously harmless toys that light up a little boy’s life they are frustratingly laughable.”
A DUB spokeswoman confirmed the toy had been taken, however, she insisted that it had been surrendered, not confiscated. A portion of the statement, as reports The Telegraph, reads:
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.
Although DUB’s measures might seem unnecessarily harsh, the spokeswoman says the procedures are audited both internally and externally to ensure that staff “apply a consistent approach” when vetting passengers.
[Photos: The Telegraph, Toys ‘R Us]
Good. There is no reason for him to bring that obnoxious toy out in public.
Bit surprised, IME the security screeners at DUB tend to be pretty good-natured and common-sensible.
Another example of irresponsible parenting. There is no reason for this type of obnoxious "toy" to be carried onto a crowded aircraft with dozens or even hundreds of passengers. Simple common sense dictates placing it in checked luggage. If no checked luggage, then LEAVE IT HOME! NOT a "TSA" problem. A "parent with no common sense" problem. And to make the incident public speaks volumes about the parents intelligence level. But.... it's the traveling public. Nothing out of the ordinary here.
"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." Of course you don't. You just force passengers to "voluntarily surrender" them by forbidding them from getting through security unless they do so. Yeah, that's not confiscating it at all. Security's action resembled confiscation much more closely than that toy resembled a real gun. I hope that somebody, somewhere feels some shame.
Yes highgamma, you should not bring your fingers either because you can position them in such a way that they resemble a gun.