How out of whack is airport security these days? Apparently even possessing a miniature camera that only resembles a Zippo lighter is a threat. [Link]:
Coming through Philadelphia Airport on Thursday afternoon, I made no attempt to hide the camera, but I did show the first screener (before the X-ray machine) that it was, in fact, a camera.I was told by the TSA decisionmaker that the camera could come on board *but the empty steel case couldn't.* This seemed so mindless I politely asked for clarification, but got nothing further than "the camera can go, but the case can't." Asked for a supervisor and was told "you got 'em." I got out of line, walked a couple terminals away, and fedexed the camera to myself.
The irony here: That camera will be transported on FedEx on an airplane. How sad that the device is called a "James Bond Stealth Camera.'' Isn't this like hanging a Playboy air freshener on your rear-view mirror?
It was more disturbing when I clicked through the Boing Boing Link to see what the specs were on the mini-camera at Think Geek. [Link] There's a link to action shots that makes me think there's a perv-in-training.
Have I mentioned lately how proud I am to be a man? Good lord, dude. Going on photo safari at Hooters is pathetic.