I am currently working on a pretty elaborate article related to the UK-Pakistan terror path, (i.e. requiring me to use more than two sources, none of which include the beloved Wikipedia), but a friend sent me this Amazon product link that I thought made a pretty hilarious buffer post, particularly given how the war on terror has impacted many of our experiences at international airport security. Being a Muslim from Pakistan definitely makes for some interesting and lengthy encounters with immigration, to say the least.
Meet Playmobil‘s Security Checkpoint toy model. For only $62 (a bargain!), children between the recommended ages of 4-7 years receive a passenger, and not one, but two security personnel (male and female – who can accuse Playmobil of not being gender sensitive!). The product description from the manufacturer reads, “The woman traveler stops by the security checkpoint. After placing her luggage on the screening machine, the airport employee checks her baggage. The traveler hands her spare change and watch to the security guard and proceeds through the metal detector. With no time to spare, she picks up her luggage and hurries to board her flight!”
The clincher, though, lies in the reviews of the product. One happy customer wrote,
I was a little disappointed when I first bought this item, because the functionality is limited. My 5 year old son pointed out that the passenger’s shoes cannot be removed. Then, we placed a deadly fingernail file underneath the passenger’s scarf, and neither the detector doorway nor the security wand picked it up. My son said “that’s the worst security ever!”. But it turned out to be okay, because when the passenger got on the Playmobil B757 and tried to hijack it, she was mobbed by a couple of other heroic passengers, who only sustained minor injuries in the scuffle, which were treated at the Playmobil Hospital.
Another customer, not as enthralled, announced that he/she was “holding out for the Guantanamo Bay playset. Hopefully this will come with an extrordinary rendition option.”
Just the kind of toy that makes me warm & fuzzy about what we teach our children nowadays – don’t you agree?
DISCLAIMER: The aforementioned product is not a real vendor – hence, this post is all in good fun, meant for comic relief. The reviews – at least I hope – are also concocted for humor purposes. Thank you!
Im surprised that the passenger does not have a beard or is that scarf around his/her neck a reference to a headscarf? hmm…
brilliant find.
i have got to get me one of these!! can’t wait for the gitmo one.
Lets see if the have used ones for a better “bargain” haha
The best is when you click on purchase, it says “Playmobil Security Checkpoint – Toys (not a real vendor)” haha!
I think this is one of the funniest customer (parent) comments I’ve read:
“I applaud the people who created this toy for finally being hip to our changing times. Little children need to be aware that not all smiling faces and uniforms are friendly. I noticed that my child is now more interested in current events. Just the other day he asked me why we had to forfeit so much of our liberties and personal freedoms and I had to answer “well, it’s because the terrorists have already won”. Yes, they have won. ”
haha, WHO ARE THESE PARENTS?
Psst, RA, I think those reviews aren’t real!
Really sad, early brainwashing!
Are you kidding me?
PS: It’s like Al-Qaeda & Co. making an action figure of a suicide bomber. So wrong…
Disclaimer required. This is fictitious (and funny to read =))
Just added the disclaimer. I was confused when I started getting emails from people being like, this is Americans promoting hatred to us Muslims. Err…
Of course. It’s a conspiracy by the Zionists. And manufafctured by India. And of course approved by America. What else do you think? 😉
Yes, sorry everyone. The product on Amazon is not a real vendor. Hence it is a joke. Laugh! Ha! Ha!
That would explain the buy now get 50% off Security performing cavity search on Brown passenger toy model.
Hmmm…sounds like you have a personal connection to said “Brown passenger toy model,” Butters.
This is absolutely hilarious! People who’ve emailed you about this being anti-muslim propaganda need to lighten up, it’s all in good fun. I would love to own one of these (as a novelty product, of course).
Hahaha my favorite “review”:
“When we first set it up we tried it with my daughters African American Magic Jewel Ken Doll and Barbie Princess of the Nile Doll but they were pulled out of line before the security checkpoint and taken to a back room for ‘processing.’
We haven’t seen them since but received a phone call from a buddy at the state department: something about ‘extraordinary rendition.’ I hope they make it home it time for the holidays.
Thanks Playmobil!!!”