One Star Wars fan received a surprise from the TSA while traveling with a special prop from the beloved franchise. The traveler says a TSA officer left a personalized message after examining a realistic DL-44 blaster prop packed inside a checked bag.
Tyler Dobson shared a photograph of the case in the public Rebel Scum Con Facebook group. He described the replica as all-metal and said he had previously flown with it several times.
The photograph shows the gun-shaped prop secured in foam beside a TSA inspection notice and a yellow note. Dobson said he regularly includes the note because he expects screeners to examine the case.
The post had attracted about 3,300 reactions at the time of posting. One of the comments read, “That’s how you know the TSA agent was also a Star Wars fan. I’d be giggling like a school girl if I saw this doing inspections.”
The blaster was packed with a note for screeners
The original Facebook post shows the blaster-shaped object fitted into a foam-lined hard case beside the inspection slip. Dobson’s yellow note identifies the object as a nonfunctional cosplay prop. It also asks anyone opening the case to handle it carefully because it is expensive.
The notice itself indicates that the bag received a physical inspection. The TSA’s checked-baggage guidance says officers place a Notice of Baggage Inspection inside luggage when they open it for a physical search. The TSA agent wrote on the notice, “That was pretty cool,” in all caps.
The DL-44 is best known as Han Solo’s weapon in the Star Wars films. The official Star Wars Databank describes the fictional weapon as popular with smugglers, bounty hunters, and military personnel. The weapon is strong enough to get through Stormtrooper armor.
Be sure to share this fun story with a fellow Star Wars fan!