On Friday, the NZ Aviation Security Service broke the hearts of Jedis and young padawans everywhere, when they added light sabers to the banned list from carry-on luggage.
If you were planning on travelling through NZ with a gift of one, or as a personal item, it’ll need to go in the checked luggage from now.
We don’t want to be a Christmas Grinch but every year our Aviation Security Officers remove well-intended gifts and items from people’s luggage because the items aren’t safe to take on an aircraft.
Domestic travel ramps up on 15 December when the Auckland border opens resulting in an increase of 400% in jet flights across New Zealand. We’ve made a list and checked it twice to let you know the popular items that pose an issue at security screening.
And in the midst of this list:
Nerf guns, toy guns, toy light sabres (sic), toy swords. There are a lot of toys that look like weapons. All these need to go into your checked bag. If you put them in your carry-on there is a chance the item will need to be voluntarily relinquished at the screening point. The same goes for gimmicky gifts that look like the “real deal” we often see plastic grenades and fake guns that hold liquid or toiletries. Keep these in your checked bag.
On the upside, we presume this will apply to Sith lords as well.
For flights to or within New Zealand, search Beat That Flight now. But if you’re carrying a lightsaber, best make sure you have checked luggage.
