Security at LHR... A true story?
An eminent shooting man recently had the misfortune to pass through Heathrow on his way to enjoy some stalking in Austria.
Despite the record improvement in exam grades of recent years, some airport security staff still have difficulties with reading and writing. By the time the paperwork for transporting a firearm had been completed, the flight had missed its slot.
As the aircraft waited on the tarmac, security staff appeared again and hauled off our shooter to account for “loose ammunition” in his suitcase.
“There isn’t any,” he protested.
“Oh yes there is”, said the security man producing a present which our shooter was taking for his host – a pair of cufflinks shaped like tiny shotgun cartridges.
“Replica bullets,” said the security man. “They could be dangerous!”
Our distinguished shooter’s troubles are not over!
On his return from Austria he encountered a wiser and more experienced Heathrow security man, with a new recruit in tow. To whom, as the firearm was checked, he explained the technicalities.
Lifting the .303 Parker Hale with strap and telescope from its case, he sagely observed to his pupil:
“Yes, that’s a fairly standard shotgun”