A Pennsylvania father believes his son was treated unfairly when returning home from a family trip to Disney World. David Zilka’s 5-year-old son Levi had gotten a Buzz Lightyear blaster while on the trip, a gift which was purchased by the boy’s uncle. However, when TSA agents at Fort Lauderdale International Airport searched Zilka and his son’s carry-on baggage, they deemed the toy resembled a firearm in a way that somehow compromised air-travel safety.
To be fair, the TSA does have a policy requiring “realistic” replicas of firearms to be checked. Counterpoint: They took a toy away from a small child and threw it in the trash right in front of his crying face.
“We understand that things are scary out there right now but taking a toy from a five-year-old doesn’t enhance national security. It was all I could do not to break down with him in that moment,” said David Zilka.
“Once he realized what was happening, that they weren’t giving his toy back, he immediately starts bawling, just tears streaming down his face, crying.”
For what it’s worth, a spokesperson for the TSA said that the agency is “looking into” the incident, which I can only assume was accompanied by a dismissive wank hand motion. The TSA: Keeping our skies safe and our children crying since 2001.
(Via CBS News Channel 3)