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Sleep well tonight, France is on guard!
Two-year-old twins from the UK had their plastic toy swords seized at a French airport, say their parents. Olivia and Eva Ryan, from Luton, Beds, were waiting with their parents to check in at Charles de Gaulle Airport after a trip to EuroDisney. The children's father, Peter Ryan, said French officials classed the swords as replica weapons.
| I classify France as a replica country |
He said the family tried to stress they went with Peter Pan outfits and would be difficult to replace. Mr Ryan told the BBC: "When the swords were taken away the children burst into tears. "She (my partner) was absolutely furious. But I tended to let it go because I do work at airports and thought 'we'll get two swords when we get home'. We get through customs, and you've got a gift shop selling large die-cast metal 11in Eiffel Tower spikes."
| With nice sharp points, but they're of a French landmark, so it's ok. |
Mr Ryan said he understood the need for security, but felt these officials went too far. "I think it was a little bit of an over-reaction to these toy swords, and an under-reaction to the Eiffel Towers and the bottles of alcohol available after the check-in, " he said.
| Well, with US airport security taking away nail clippers and strip searching little old ladies, we shouldn't be surprised. |
A spokesman for Charles De Gaulle Airport refused to comment on the incident.
Posted by: Steve 2004-07-09 |
