We all know that, despite increased security measures around the world, people still try to sneak in an array of items through the airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may have some pretty interesting stories to tell about what they see on a daily basis.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the busiest airports, with flights coming from all over the world and passengers of all ages and races. One passenger, however, caused a major hubbub this week.
A man placed his pet cat in his bag on the X-ray machine conveyor belt on Wednesday, setting off widespread panic for everyone on the security line. The man was apparently unaware of the dangers an X-ray machine may have on his pet.
TSA agents did not realize that there was an animal inside the bag because the cat was placed inside an ordinary carrying bag and not an animal carrier. Other passengers took to social media, posting updates as the stressful situation occurred.
HOLY SHIT. A dude just put his cat inside the X-Ray machine at LAX. The TSA is flipping the fuck out.
— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) July 1, 2015
The amount of screaming that's happening in the Jet Blue terminal at LAX is incredible right now and yet it feels completely appropriate. — The Sklar Brothers (@SklarBrothers) July 1, 2015
Many of the people reacting on Twitter are pet lovers and had this to say:
@SaraJBenincasa I was worried enough to look it up; apparently the screening x-ray is about 1 mR, not enough to hurt. Guy's still an idiot.
— Donna Asher (@dasher2581) July 2, 2015
I have now seen everything. A woman trying to put a live cat, no cage, through the xray thing at LAX security. Officers suddenly screaming! — The Obvious Hiker (@ObviousHiker) June 30, 2015
The TSA folks at Terminal 3 at LAX are animal lovers. They lost their shit when that dude put his cat through the scanner. RAGE.
— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) July 1, 2015
@SaraJBenincasa some quick research seems to indicate the cat will be fine — Dave Stroup (@DaveStroup) July 1, 2015
The cat with the now infamous hashtag #xraycat is said to be doing okay, but that did not stop people from posting smartass tweets about what happened to it.
Can't the TSA just kidnap #xraycat? Give him a tiny TSA uniform. He can be the LAX TSA mascot...
— Toni McIntyre (@ToniMacAttack) July 1, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are going to out to #xraycat . This might add 9 more lives and relinquish them. #fedorahatskill — Henny Miguel (@bellahenny) July 1, 2015
You guys, on the real though: what if #XRayCat has superpowers and will now rule us all? I'm fine with it. https://t.co/fLWpgvo3tx
— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) July 2, 2015
TSA employees have said that this type of mistake happens more often than they would like. A few months ago, a woman placed her baby on the conveyor belt and exposed the child to X-ray radiation. Hopefully, from these examples, we all learn to stay alert and not risk the lives of our human and furry loved ones.
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.
