Maybe I shouldn't post this, I don't want things to get any sillier than they are, but I had an interesting experience last week.

I was flying through DFW and got airside through security with no problem. Having some extra time, I looked for little gifts for my kids. My son loves airplanes so I picked up a little five dollar die-cast model of some fighter jet and stuffed it in my laptop case.

As I sat in my seat and pulled my laptop for some work I took out the jet and looked at it a little, thinking about how much my son was going to love it. Then I discovered the sad horrible truth. The nose of the jet was a very strong sharp pointy metal object. All of the precautions and diligence of the TSA had been thwarted by an airside vendor.

I was so distraught by this that I was tempted to throw myself down in the aisle and plead for mercy. I wanted to cry for everyone who could possibly have been affected by my terrible mistake. I looked furtively at the business man next to me. Did he look suspicious? A little distant? Had he seen the jet toy? Was he going to TEAR IT FROM MY HANDS and commit unspeakable horror!?

I took a sip from my drink and clutched my laptop case firmly in my lap. Uneasily, I flew home.