Ellen Pompeo's Sunflower Seeds Set Off a Security Alarm at the Airport
Ellen Pompey's snack triggers a bomb squad response.
C'mon now, Ellen Pompeo didn't mean any harm, but those organic sunflower seeds from Erewhon nearly caused a catastrophe at the airport. Let me tell ya, folks, she almost missed her flight ’cause of it.
In an interview with travel magazine "Travel & Leisure," the actress, known for her role as Meredith Grey on "Grey's Anatomy," shares this unforgettable airport incident. She innocently packed a bag of sunflower seeds for her flight, but little did she know they'd soon be causing quite the ruckus.
At the security check, Pompeo's bag of sunflower seeds set off an alarm, leaving the TSA officers scratchin' their heads. Confused, Pompeo asked, "What's going on? You gotta be kiddin' me!" Apparently, a chemical on the packaging of her "fancy, expensive, organic, clean sunflower seeds" threw them off. Even though Pompeo offered to chuck the bag to speed things up, the officers declined—they had to wait for the bomb squad to give the all-clear.
"I was held up for an hour and they even called the bomb squad!" Pompeo can't believe it to this day. "I almost missed my flight," she remembers—and she's sure no one would've believed her if she insisted it was all because of the sunflower seeds. She even penned a message to her PR agent: "I might not make this plane, and you'll never guess why."
Despite the hiccup, Pompeo, who feared flying before, enjoys traveling. In fact, her favorite travel companions are her three kiddos, Stella Luna (15), Sienna May (10), and Eli Christopher (8), with whom she shares with her hubby Chris Ivery. "I like to hold my kids' hands when we take off," she admits, "which is a bit selfish, and they probably feel my fear, which ain't the best."
When flying, Pompeo, who's also got a bit of a germ phobia, ensures her seats are squeaky clean. "I have to wipe down the whole seat like Naomi Campbell does," she confesses, referring to the supermodel's penchant for cleaning planes with disinfectant and wearing protective gear. Pompeo's carry-on is chock-full of hygiene essentials—water, hand sanitizer, baby wipes—but probably no more sunflower seeds.
Now that y'all know how easy it is for sunflower seeds to trigger a security alarm, travel safer and smarter. Don't forget to keep a close eye on your snacks’ packaging and declare any questionable items to TSA agents. And, hey, if all else fails, maybe just leave the seeds at home.
Source: ntv.de, csp/spot
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Here's what to remember when packing snacks for your travels:
- Check Packaging Materials: Make sure your snack packaging doesn't contain any materials that could trigger a security alarm.
- Declare Unusual Items: If you're unsure whether an item may cause issues during security screening, notify the TSA officers. This can help prevent misunderstandings.
- Expect Delays: Be prepared for possible delays if an item triggers an alarm. You might need to wait for further inspection or consider tossing the item to save time.
- Use Safe Packaging: Pack your snacks in materials known to be compliant with TSA regulations to reduce the chances of setting off alarms.
- Stay Informed: Stay updated on TSA guidelines and prohibited items to ensure a smoother travel experience.
Follow these tips, and you'll be on your way without any unwanted detours. Safe travels!
The Commission, assisted by the European Parliament, could issue a public service announcement to inform travelers about the potential for certain snack packaging materials to trigger airport security alarms, such as those containing sunflower seeds. In light of Ellen Pompeo's incident at the airport, it's important for celebrities and everyday travelers alike to be aware of this issue and adopt a lifestyle that considers airport security while packing for travel, possibly even avoiding seeds or using safe packaging materials for snacks.
