You all know that routine you have to go through before setting off for the airport on a week away.
Sun cream - check., Boxers - check. Shorts - check. Trainers - check. Toothbrush - check. T-shirts - check.
Massive fuck-off lobster - ch...what?!
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Well, it might not be on everybody's list, but one passenger at Boston Logan Airport felt so strongly about their massive fuck-off lobster that they brought it along with them, much to the confusion of one bewildered TSA agent.
The agent was scanning luggage, looking out for the usual red flags, when what appeared to be the outline of a giant lobster popped up on his screen.
Alarmed, he went in for a closer look and found a giant crustacean, weighing in at around 9kg (20lbs), packed neatly into the cooler box he had scanned.
He even got a photo of himself grinning and holding the jet-setting lobster up for the camera, presumably having already checked to see if it was stuffed full of cocaine or not.
"The lobster was in a cooler and 'cooperated quite nicely with the screening process,'"TSA spokesman Michael McCarthy told Associated Press.
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McCarthy posted a tweet, saying: "TSA officers are skilled at screening all sorts of items in checked baggage... including this 20+ pound lobster at Boston Logan."
This whole thing might seem a bit bizarre, but it's not. Apparently, the clawed sea creatures are perfectly fine to fly as long as they are stored safely and securely in a cooler - excellent news for all you travelling lobster enthusiasts out there.
In fact, Boston airport staff are no strangers to massive fuck-off lobsters. Given that Boston Logan is situated in the heart of New England - a region famed for its 'lobstahs' - these crusty local beasts rack up some serious air miles between them.
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Credit: Flickr/squishyray (Creative Commons)
The TSA website even has a page entirely dedicated to lobster transportation - it reads:
"A live lobster is allowed through security and must be transported in a clear, plastic, spill-proof container.
"A TSA officer will visually inspect your lobster at the checkpoint. We recommend that you contact your airline to determine your airline's policy on traveling with your lobster before arriving at the airport."
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Other countries' policies towards massive fuck-off lobster logistics aren't quite so relaxed.
Last year a Chinese man returning home from a holiday in Australia was stopped by airport security when sniffer dogs detected something fishy in his luggage.
Upon further inspection, the man was found to be smuggling a giant crustacean, which sadly had to be sterilised and destroyed in cooperation with the law.
So, next time you need to get your lobster from A to B, please don't forget to check the local laws to avoid any nasty predicaments.
Featured Image Credit: Flickr/Tatiana Vdb (Creative Commons)