If you're a celebrity, you can yell bomb in an airport.

[alp227]

At least that's my conclusion after reading this story reporting that prosecutors in L.A. ultimately declined to charge San Francisco 49ers football player Aldon Smith for a false bomb threat:

Instead, those involved in the incident are scheduled to attend a July 30 hearing at the city attorney's office, where they will be "admonished about the applicable laws and given suggestions on how to avoid similar incidents in the future," spokesman Frank Mateljan wrote in an email

The article describes why Smith was investigated:

Smith, 24, was arrested April 13 by LAX police after he allegedly became argumentative with a Transportation Security Administration agent. He had been randomly chosen for a secondary screening and “became belligerent and uncooperative with the process,” airport police Sgt. Karla Ortiz told The Times after his arrest.

Smith then made a comment to the agent "indicating he was in possession of a bomb before proceeding toward the gate area," Ortiz said.

Now, if Aldon Smith were an average Joe instead of an athletic pro, would he have been provided a mere admonishment and "suggestions on how to avoid similar incidents in the future" from local prosecutors?

[winter is coming]

1. If this "average Joe" were white, maybe. If he were white, over 40, and affluent-looking, probably.

Not so white? Not so affluent? You're under arrest.

[Journeyman]

2. As always, it would depend upon how "equal" this average Joe was . . .

[abelenkpe]

3. Rich? Celebrity? Of course the rules aren't the same.

Pretty much reminded of that everyday.

[jberryhill]

4. I dunno, how many people are serving time for it

My guess would be not many, since people having a bad day at the airport are likely first offenders and diverted to anger management therapy or some such.

[MADem]

5. If you're married to a television news presenter, you can bring a weapon into

the TSA screening area and get a "Oh, you naughty thing, you--don't do THAT again, now, will ya?"

Take a walk down memory lane...

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/news/2003/2003-01-23-dobbs-gun.htm

[frylock]

6. what the fuck does randomly selecting people for a secondary screening accomplish?

you know, aside from pissing people off.