The Energon Pub

News Credits: 1014 · by **First Gen** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:09 am

In what could be some of the most ridiculous news reported here on Seibertron.com, in two separate instances, in two separate countries, HASBRO's TRANSFORMERS and GI JOE franchises have apparently wreaked havoc in airports.

The UK's Daily Mail reports that a man was held from boarding a plane at London's Heathrow Airport because he was wearing a shirt which depicted Autobot Leader Optimus Prime holding a gun.

Taken from the Daily Mail:

Brad Jayakody, 30, from London, said he was stopped from passing through security at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after his Transformers T-shirt was deemed 'offensive.'

Mr Jayakody said the first guard started joking with him about the Transformers character depicted on his French Connection T-shirt.

'"Then he explains that since Megatron is holding a gun, I'm not allowed to fly,' he said.

Now obviously this guy is innocent. For one, he can't even recognize Optimus Prime on his own shirt. And secondly, its a TSHIRT with a TRANSFORMER on it!

Before you Americans poke fun, get a load of this one.

BBC News reports that a woman was denied entry into Los Angeles, CA's LAX Airport for having a GI Joe Figure in her carry on baggage.

Taken from BBC News:

A doll caused a security alert at an American airport because its two-inch plastic gun was considered a dangerous weapon.

Judy Powell, 55, from Walton on the Hill, Surrey, bought the GI Joe toy in Las Vegas and packed it in her hand luggage.

But security staff at Los Angeles International Airport refused to let Mrs Powell on board the plane with the replica rifle.

A Real American Death Threat?

Mrs Powell said: "I was simply stunned when I realised they were serious.

"Security examined the toy as if it was going to shoot them and looked at the rifle.

"I was really angry to start with because of the absurdity of the situation.

"But then I saw the funny side of it and thought this was simple lunacy."

Lunacy, Mrs. Powell, does not begin to explain it.

So let this be a lesson to all you Seibertronian's out there, before you board a plane think first "What would the TSA do?"

To view the complete article on Denying Prime, click here.

To view the complete article on NO JOE!!!, click here.

by **olokin** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:26 am

Thats absurd! airport security is too paranoid.

News Credits: 6 · by **City Commander** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:28 am

Silly yanks

by **King Slick** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:32 am

The G.I. Joe part reminds me of the scene from Small Soldiers were the "Tommy Lee Jones" doll breaks the plastic gun and states that standard issue is "insufficiant". (BTW: I know of course the "doll" is actaually supposed to be a Chip Hazzard action figure...I just wanted to pick on the British bloke a tad chaps)

News Credits: 9 · by **Orion_Prime48** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:37 am

this just enforces that we Americans overreact over alot of things

News Credits: 21 · by **Skice** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:46 am

Ok this is seriously f***ing wrong. What the hell is wrong with this world it's gone completely insane. I think the absurd amounts of paranoia that Bush has tried to spread has finally kicked in. God help us all we need new leaders now.

News Credits: 38 · by **Sunstar** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:49 am

I think the paranoia has gone too far.. its crazy. I am sure that taking my warhammer figures on a flight would cause issues. hell some have replica grenades for crying out loud.

I would like to see someone take over a plane with a 2 inch plastic gun or a drawing. what are they gonna do with it? stick it in the pilot's eye, or make them choke on it?

with this level of paranoia, the terrorists won, and they won long ago.
BAH.

Website · by **DMSL** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:03 am

This is absurd. Apparently those security guards are abusing their so called power to mess around with people. It's pathetic.

News Credits: 767 · by **Dead Metal** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:09 am

*Remembers time he checked in at London Stansted and the awesome friendly conversation he had with the staff guy examining his rucksack in which he had Reissue Jazz, BM Nichtscream and Classics Megatron*

*Looks at article*

*Dies laughing*

-------------

*Comes back to life, and.....

Oh for fu**s sake!

by **Lockdown72** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:40 am

Oh Come ON! How is a shirt picturing a gun on a clearly sci-fi robot offensive?!? and a GI joe figure with a two inch gun? What's he gonna do? Poke people into submission? The figure was one of the good guys too! I've carried more of a threat when I carried a defective DC motor for a model train in my carry-on luggage or a water pistol as well. :roll:

News Credits: 26 · by **Wheeljack35** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:54 am

LOL I didn't know thwy made bukllets now for 2 inch plastic guns

I see t-shirts with skulls, on them why is this offensive

News Credits: 9 · by **Zeds** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:25 pm

Let me get this straight. They have issues with an action figure and a T-shirt and yet they allow people to carry 3 packs of matches on board to allow smokers to puff up as soon as they land. Who are the morons that makes this crap up!

News Credits: 1 · by **Cascadia** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:34 pm

Very odd in a way. In March/April, I went through the security gate at 3 separate airports with no problems. I think I was carrying 5 TF in my carry-on. I can agree that a something on a T-shirt could be a problem but a very small plastic gun that cannot do anything. I am guessing that it would be based on someone's thoughts on the issue.

by **ponycorn** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:58 pm

I just got back from WA state (home state) after having divided up me and my bothers old GIJoes and taking my half back home with me to CA.

I rolled my eyes when my husband told me to put them in checked luggage! I had two big sandwich bags, one full of Joes, the other had weapons and stands. I also found G1 Sludge at a thriftstore in WA. So I put all of the above in checked luggage. I'm glad I did!

by **masterpeice_skyfire** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:58 pm

WTF?! THATS BULL****!!!!!

by **TFGnome** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:02 pm

pardon my French, but, this is bat-shit insane ! :shock:

by **Luketroop** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:28 pm

This guy must be very stupid for not knowing it was Prime. :shock:

I never forget my characters!

News Credits: 15 · by **Ravage XK** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:30 pm

I find this story to be simply beyond belief.

I once flew into Orlando from Heathrow with a friend and he was wearing a T shirt with a picture of Starsky & Hutch and the words "Useless American Tw**s" printed beneath. I was sure he would be stopped in the UK and if he got that far pounced on by the US officials but nothing happened. I would have thought that would be far more offensive than Optimus Prime.

by **LadyNightHawk** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:40 pm

I've worn my Starscream shirt through airport security before with no problems.

Guess I better pack an extra shirt in my carry-on bag next time...just in case *sigh*.

by **DCybertron** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:55 pm

Zeds wrote:Let me get this straight. They have issues with an action figure and a T-shirt and yet they allow people to carry 3 packs of matches on board to allow smokers to puff up as soon as they land. Who are the morons that makes this crap up!

the world has gone CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!

News Credits: 2 · by **Kern** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:03 pm

Before anybody else jumps on the guy - in the other three interviews I've seen with him, he DOES know that it's Prime on his shirt.

Willing to bet whoever knocked the article up at the Mail asked the office at large 'Hey, who's the Transformer with a gun for an arm' and got the response of Megatron.

News Credits: 1014 · by **First Gen** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:06 pm

Kern wrote:Before anybody else jumps on the guy - in the other three interviews I've seen with him, he DOES know that it's Prime on his shirt.

Willing to bet whoever knocked the article up at the Mail asked the office at large 'Hey, who's the Transformer with a gun for an arm' and got the response of Megatron.

I gotta be honest with you man, I don't think anyone really even considered that. Just the fact that he's wearing a shirt of a Transformer can be found offensive is dumbfounding.

News Credits: 1014 · by **First Gen** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:09 pm

http://samueljscott.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/success/

Its one line, but so damm funny. :lol:

by **Ultra Markus** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:27 pm

so they deny anybody that with fictitious weapons whether on a shirt or on a 3 3/4 inch figure but they will somehow let people with mental or other kind of problems that pose a far more serious threat.
this is why the airlines are going bankrupt!