Bear of the Day: This Sad Teddy Bear Left at TSA Is 2016 In Nutshell
The TSA is hilarious. No really. When they aren’t making you take off your shoes, belt, and checking your loaded gun, they’re posting abandonded, sad-looking teddy bears on Instagram.
On their Instagram, which is usually reserved for weird weapons and laptops left at security, the TSA posted a picture of this abandoned plush bear, complete with sad backstory.
They write:
Why does this gigantic teddy bear look so sad? He was abandoned by his owners at LAX after the airline and TSA determined that he was just too big to be screened as a carry-on and taken on the plane. It’s a good idea to check with your airline prior to traveling with overly large items as carryons. If you see this wayward bear strolling the streets of LA, please feel free to feed him.
Not only is "feeding the bears" terrible advice that will get you eaten, but also they're just gonna throw thing in the street? Not exactly. Because it’s 2016 and every sad story has a cynical addendum that leaves us questioning this whole humanity thing, this turned out to be a hoax.
They later updated their post to include:
After watching a YouTube video posted by the traveler, we’ve learned that he’s a popular YouTuber and this was a stunt to see if he could get the giant bear on the plane. He even made up a backstory that the bear was a gift for his girlfriend. The bear did not belong to a child. The passenger had actually bought a ticket for the bear. After the airline and TSA decided the bear was too large, the airline offered to refund the ticket and the traveler was given the option of checking the bear as checked baggage. The traveler opted not to check the bear and left it behind.
Way to play with our emotions, TSA. Now, can I put my shoes back on.