Sunday, June 9, 2013

"Star Wars" actor Peter "Chewbacca" Mayhew proves an old adage - "It's not wise to upset a Wookie" - is true in our universe, too

Peter Mayhew waits impatiently at left for return of his cane.
As far as we know, Chewbacca never trained be a Jedi knight. It's fair to say, however, that the force was strong with him last week in Denver.

"Star Wars" actor Peter Mayhew was briefly stopped while boarding a flight with his cane, which happens to be shaped like a light saber. Transportation Security Administration agents sought to inspect the large walking stick (Mayhew is 7-foot, 2 inches tall).

"Giant man need giant cane," Mayhew tweeted to his followers from his account, @TheWookieRoars. "Small cane snap like toothpick ... besides ... my light sabre is just cool. I would miss it."

Mayhew, who uses a wheelchair, credited a Twitter uproar for the quick return of his beloved cane, tweeting: "Magic words to TSA are not 'please' or 'thank you' ... It's 'Twitter' ... cane released to go home." Mayhew also expressed thanks to American Air "for checking on me." He also posted photos.

For its part, the TSA downplayed the incident.

“Because of the unusual weight of the passenger’s cane, a security officer alerted a supervisor. Less than five minutes later the passenger and cane were cleared to travel. Social media played no role in the determination,” the TSA said in a brief statement released to The Associated Press.
As one of Mayhew's followers tweeted: "TSA just learned Star Wars lesson #1: Let the Wookie Win.'"

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