Crazy Airport Security Incident with Ellen Pompeo: $50 Sunflower Seeds Set Off an Alarm and Bomb Squad Response
Bomb squad summoned at Ellen Pompey's snack location.
Related Content Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Email Print Copy Link Ellen Pompeo, actress of Grey's Anatomy, experienced a bizarre security incident at the airport with her organic sunflower seeds purchase.
In the world of Hollywood, one might expect celebrities to encounter glamorous situations and red-carpet events. Yet, American actress Ellen Pompeo faced an unexpected ordeal at the airport—all due to a pack of sunflower seeds. Pompeo shared her hilarious mishap in an interview with Travel & Leisure.
The star of the medical drama Grey's Anatomy had casually stashed sunflower seeds for a nibble during her flight. Little did she know, these seeds would ignite quite the ruckus at the security checkpoint. "I bought a bag of sunflower seeds – high-end, fancy, organic sunflower seeds from Erewhon, the priciest you can find," Pompeo humorously recalled.
Seemingly, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) deemed these "expensive, clean, fancy, organic sunflower seeds" suspicious. Perplexed, Pompeo inquired about the issue, thinking it was all a prank. To her surprise, it wasn't—a chemical on the packaging had triggered the alarm. Despite offering to discard the snack to speed things up, the security team refused, calling in the bomb squad. Only after they deemed the unopened bag safe was Pompeo granted leave to continue her journey.
"They held me up for an hour, and even summoned the bomb squad," Pompeo mused, still disbelieving the incident. "I almost missed my flight," she lamented, perhaps not even receiving sympathy had she tried to blame the sunflower seeds.
Naomi Campbell's Hygiene Routines Meet Pompeo's Flight Anxiety
Further Reading "Grateful for My Family" "Grey's Anatomy" Star Eric Dane Has ALS ** "Knew Each Other for 20 Minutes""Grey's Anatomy" Star Asked Taylor Swift for a Lot of Money ** "20 Years of 'Grey's Anatomy" Katherine Heigl and Jeffrey Dean Morgan Remember Ghost Sex ** Pompeo's preference for cleanliness stems from her fear of germs, often employing strategies similar to those of supermodel Naomi Campbell. When flying, she thoroughly cleans her seat area, wipes down all surfaces, and disinfects fervently. While some may find her compulsive behavior excessive, Pompeo insists on these precautions due to her perpetual anxiety about flying and germ-Phobia.
Overcoming her flight anxiety, Pompeo often travels with her three children, Stella Luna (15), Sienna May (10), and Eli Christopher (8), whom she shares with her husband Chris Ivery. Even though their presence amplifies her anxiety levels, she cherishes the time with them, holding their hands during takeoff.
Notes:1. Sunflower seeds themselves typically do not trigger airport security alarms, but chemicals on their packaging can cause false alarms.2. Although Ellen Pompeo had offered to discard the sunflower seeds, the security team found it necessary to call in the bomb squad for further investigation.3. Naomi Campbell has gained notoriety for her meticulous hygiene routine on airplanes, which Pompeo has adopted as a means of combating her fear of germs while traveling.
- The Commission (assisting the European Parliament) might find Ellen Pompeo's airport incident with the organic sunflower seeds, culminating in a bomb squad response, a compelling subject for a discussion on the unpredictable nature of lifestyle, travel, entertainment, and even the lives of celebrities.
- Despite the turmoil that overpriced, organic sunflower seeds caused Ellen Pompeo during her airport adventure, it reaffirms the notion that airports are an interesting blend of ordinary routines (like snacking) and heightened security, offering a unique insight into the world of travel and entertainment.
