I explained the situation to the security guard, and he patiently responded, as if he had spoken these lines many times before, "Your options are that you can allow us to test the liquid inside, which will require us to break the globe. Even if it were tested, it will likely contain antifreeze, a liquid that is not permitted onboard. You could also collect your bag, and a security guard will escort you back to the check-in area, so that you can check it."
To save the fate of this special snow globe, I returned to check-in. After an extended wait and paying an extra $25 for the checked bag, I returned to the security area, wondering whether the fragile gift would survive the trip from the belly of the airplane to back home.
What is the potential threat of this kitschy item? Why the concern about antifreeze? It contains ethylene glycol, which is quite stable and not explosive, but could constitute a risk of poisoning.
Recent news coverage of "bottle bombs" could explain the heightened awareness of the potential danger of two or three ounces of liquid, even if sealed in a snow globe.
Admittedly, I may have been naà ¯ve if not harried to have expected this innocent snow globe to travel with me. After all, an article in The New York Times in early 2007 foretold such vagaries of travel. And I was negligent by not checking the Transportation Safety Administration website for prohibited items before departing. Did you know that gel inserts for shoes are on the same list?
I would rather be safe than sorry, and I appreciate the keen eye of the security guard. Is it not sad that we are faced with such cold realities?
Regardless, in the future I will consider shipping my gifts and not worry about it. If we allow budding terrorists to slow us down or to instill fear, we are giving them exactly what they seek.
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