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Subscribe to RSSEveryone hates getting stuck at the airport, but Joe Ayala and Larry Chen decided to make the most of it.
The two professional automotive photographers returning home from Formula Drift Palm Beach in early June put together a video titled “Stuck,” which shows the two pulling pranks in Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport during an overnight layover.
Ayala and Chen are seen racing wheelchairs through the terminal, goofing around on the escalators and engaging in a wet-towel fight in a bathroom. But the scenes of Chen pounding on a computer keyboard at a gate and helping himself to a beer in what looks like an unattended restaurant have raised concerns about airport security.
Airport spokesman David Magaña said that while DFW appreciates the creativity and humor demonstrated by the filmmakers, it does not condone the fact that they entered an eatery after business hours. “The video did point out the need to better secure this restaurant, and that issue is being addressed immediately,” he said.
Magaña added that security agents did observe the filmmakers at the airport, but “because the filmmakers were presenting no threat to themselves, to others or to flight safety, and were causing no damage, there was no imperative to curtail their activities.”
After all, the pair were ticketed passengers who had passed through Transportation Security Administration screening and found themselves stranded after their flight home was canceled.
“And by the way, they also picked up after themselves, including the restroom,” Magaña said.
While the high quality of the video might have prompted some to raise eyebrows over its authenticity, Jalopnik interviewed the pair, who — since they were returning from an event — happened to have $30,000 worth of camera equipment between them.
"What do I usually do when I pass the time when I'm bored? I usually shoot skits," Chen told Jalopnik. "I have all this camera gear so I thought, 'Why don't we shoot one here?' "
Chen said they arrived at the airport around 11 p.m., planned out their video and were shooting until 4:30 a.m. "We didn't have a tripod with us, but I had gear to shoot cars, so we used a suction cup mount, and we used a magic arm mount that is something that clamps on to anything," Chen said. "We clamped it on to the stalls in the bathroom, and to this railing for the escalator shot. But like, it's just like normal stuff, grip stuff that any professional photographer would have."
As for the beer Chen downed at Pappadeux Seafood Kitchen, he said he wasn't out to steal it. "It was like we just got on this mystical escalator and it took us to this restaurant. If we could have faked it somehow we would have, we just did that just for the shot.
"I washed the cup and put it back in the fridge. I wanted to leave no trace. I didn't want to cause any trouble. Next time we go to that airport I'll get a beer and leave a $20 tip."
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Find more by Harriet Baskas on Stuck at The Airport.com and follow her on Twitter.
Leave a Comment:
This is hillarious! I've been stuck in the very same airport twice - never thought to unpack the camera! Although I sincerely doubt I could top this one...
Good luck. It is against federal law to shoot any photographs or movies or make sound recordings inside the cleared area of an airport by orders of the T-flipping-S-sucking A. It can get you 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. These guys may have some serious trouble ahead of them. The TSA Gestapo has a myriad ways of getting even --- like strip-searching you on every leg of every future flight or making sure that your luggage never flies on the same aircraft that you do. These are pretty routine "pay-backs."
The prohibition against filming applies to the security checkpoints, personnel, and procedures only, not to the public areas beyond the checkpoints.
way more creative than sitting around griping! LUV IT!
Considering where they were, they should have added some planking to the skit. I'm OLD and I loved it!
Best laugh ever! LOVED IT! Especially the keyboard scene.
That was awesome. I loved it. No harm. No foul. Harmless fun.
A thief is a thief. He should be criminally charged for breaking into the restaurant.
That would be public money well spent.
The "breaking into" aspect is questionable. It sounds more like it was left wide open and they walked in. Just as business and governments hire the hackers that hacked them, the airport can use this as a training tool for better security, not to mention to head off potential property damage should someone who viewed this decide to perform their own rendition of this video. The parties involved were responsible (save not leaving the beer money but that would have given away the surprise aspect) by cleaning up after themselves. But this was the exception, not the general rule in today's society.
I am hoping these two have given airport security pause for thought and airports pause to consider "planned down time" activities for those who are stuck in airports for hours on end. You can only walk the concourse so long before you are walking in your sleep.
As I read it, the restaurant was "unattended", meaning that it was open though not necessarily open for business. That being the case, unless they picked a lock or broke a window to get in, it's hardly breaking and entering.
Doesn't appear they broke in.
but they obviously stole a beer.
Hey Dan, did you ever pick up some change or a dollar off the street? Yes? Well, then! You're a thief! You should have turned it in to the police! The moral here is: relax, and "let he who is without sin throw the first stone."
Aw come on...Must we take everything so seriously?? To put these kids on par even with petty thieves is a bit much...
They're just a couple of goof ball kids playing around (maybe precisely why no one with guns came running)....laugh and move along...
Dan says: "A thief is a thief. He should be criminally charged for breaking into the restaurant."
Yes Dan and you should pull the pickle out of your butt and develop a sense of humour.
I think it was hilarious! They did no harm and even cleaned up afterwards! The airline screwed their plans and cancelled their flight. At least they did something fun and obviously had no ill intentions. They have talent!
Technically speaking even if the door is open, if it is obvious to you that it is after hours simply opening the door qualifies as breaking. The term breaking does not require force. However, it is extremely unlikely that with the attitude of the DFW people there will be any legal repercussions. They DFW people realize that any overreaction on their part will leave them with serious egg on their faces. More people wshould realize that and there would be fewer mea culpas as a result.
How do you know they didn't leave money for the beer? You think this video is unedited?
wah!
is this the real Dan Halen? from Georgia? how's Rusty and Early doing?
Actually, when the likelihood of identfying the loser is virtually nil small amounts of money lost on the street is pretty much fair game. However, when the amount becomes uniquely large that you can advertise for the loser or when there is identification already on the money it would be theft to take and keep it. You are not a thief for keeping a buck you found on the street.
First thieves I know that made a video of themselves committing the crime and then broadcasting it to the world.
I think they more than made up for it by washing the glass and putting it away. That was worth the price of a beer.
So much for our new and improved airport security measures, gee I feel so much safer in airports now than I ever have before... buy the way these guys were great, think of the damage they could of done if they wanted to.
Hands down good stuff...board responsible guys playing around what's the big deal. DFW airport got some pie in their face...no harm...these guy's should be hired by homeland security!
As for stealling a beer...you never really own beer, you rent it...i'm sure it was returned; maybe in the mens urinal.
As a matter of fact, wasn't a woman brutally attacked and raped in an empty concourse in Denver? My mistake if it's the wrong airport.
Ya let's not take this too serious. If you do you might as well turn your kids in for taking money outta your wallet without asking to the police. Let's not get that crazy.
They probably paid for that beer ten times over when they bought their plane tickets.
Seems to me I've heard of various municipalities or other institutions PAYING consultants to tell them stuff that this video showed DFW admin for free. They ought to thank these two guys. And write off the beer.
It's not breaking and entering if the place isn't locked up... He should've paid for the beer, however.
That's hilarious! No security threat here, just embarrassed airlines...
I have to use sporks and plastic knives when eating on a plane and these guys were able to walk into a restaruant kitchen where I am sure there are lots of dangerous objects. That is just embarrassing.
good point.....what are the odds a professional kitchen doesn't have at least ONE sharp knife.
Ha! They don't cook food at the airport, it's all microwave and heat lamp warming up 6 day old food. :-)
Yeah they could have found a metal knife and high jacked the restaurant kitchen by holding the busboy hostage.
Ever been stuck in an airport for a long period? Didn't you have the same thoughts in your head that you saw in the video? I sure as s--- have. This is funny. Airport administrators should thank these guys. If it is that easy to be outrageous and do whatever in the airport then there is a problem that the airport needs to address.
Someone out to harm the security of the airport and commuters (unlike these young men) could have done serious damage during the same amount of time without being detected.
They probably should have not stolen a beer. Stealing is stealing. Should have left a 5-er on the fridge for it and a note. They did clean up after themselves, though.
Nice filming.
Next time I get stranded in an airport the guards better keep a close eye on me because I am going to have so much silly fun........
Hopefully, these guys have started something. We can only hope.
What a anal response from airport officials - gimme a break, this has nothing to do with security...
Um, no one is talking about flight security or terrorism, here. They're talking about ordinary, garden-variety security, as in, "a restaurant that's closed for business should be locked."
The heck we aren't! Palces of business unlocked after hours are a big time security violation.
This all took place within the "secure" zone of the airport, so for a terrorist to hide out in the unlocked restaurant, he'd have to get through standard airport security in the first place. An unlocked restaurant is no more a threat to flight security than is an unlocked men's room.
Silly, childish and stupid... yes.
Criminal, and a security issue... you are outside overserious, over sensitive mind.
Stupid? I think this was brilliant. It would do this country good to have more talented (and well-meaning) men such as these. I'll take two creative, fun people who are making the best out of boring any day.
Fabulous! Get over yourself, Alex, lol!
This is hilarious. I've spent a few overnights in airports but never had this much fun. And they get big points for being tidy.
This is a non-story. They made the best of a bad situation, and yes, being stuck at an airport is a bad situation. People need to loosen up a bit.
That is AWESOME!! I have a 530 am flight next weekend if it ends up I see a terminal unoccupied I'm going to run over there and enjoy my self before I go away!! Oh the fact that there HD camera was so clear was even better. I applaud these guys for there creativity and awesomeness. Well done you guys, touche. PS you spend enough money on the beer they charge you for there that one on the house wont hurt a single person. :)
That didn't look like a beer glass/mug to me - I thought it was the type of glass they use to serve ice cream to kids. If it is, he didn't even get a full glass of beer, folks, so relax and have a laugh!! This is funny as all hell!!
I love the look on the face of the guy vacuuming the rugs - or trying to vacuum the rugs. Classic!!
that guy had NO clue what they were doing and as for the beer 'mug' i do believe so too it was for ice cream so im 100% with ya on that one
So, they paid and were through security. They entered into a closed establishment and took a beer. Went behind the checkin desk and messed with the computer and it's ok. But, you wear your pants down past your butt and you are kicked off a flight and arrested. Granted the fool got confrontational he was still kicked off for wearing his pants low because it was considered a nuisance and risk to the other passengers.
Smells to me
I thought their video was extremely amusing and the quality was good too. However, they need to work on their beer pouring technique. The rotating on the escalator handrails stunt was pretty creative.
Overall I give it two thumbs.
Anyone who gets uppity or anal retentive about this video is just another example of how people need to chill out, lighten up, and check their rear ends for foreign objects! Thanks for the laugh, boys!
Just a couple of guys fooling around. I don't see what the problem is. I don't understand why they care about the keyboard part. It's not some frail piece of porcelain that must be handled with care. Any keyboard that would fall apart with that amount of pressure would be faulty equipment to begin with.
Airport officials would do well to remember that they are running an airport not a prison.
Just because you're in the security business shouldn't mean you must have your sense of humor surgically extracted.
Crack a smile guys, it doesn't hurt.
This was truly entertaining. Who hasn't been stuck to the wee hours. Kudos to them for being creative AND respecting the institution by cleaning up after themselves. Although leaving a note and ten-spot would have covered the brew. Way to go!
You guys would have an entirely different outlook if this had happened on 9/12/2001.
There's such a thing as good timing and bad taste... A day after 9/11 probably would have been in bad taste, but wouldn't have made it any less funny.
What Kyle said and, also, it didn't. Why bring up a hypothetical that can never be true? You're just a ray of sunshine, aren't you?
What's your point? That there is some connection between this and terrorism? The world is bad enough without every door locked and every opportunity for creativity forbidden.
I'm not up in arms about the sneaking in to get food and the self-serve beer bit. I just don't think this is funny is all. Nothing appalling or controversial, just not really funny. It wouldn't have helped them to do the same video in a rabbit suit either, it just wasn't funny to me. Sorry guys, just not funny!
Six9GS! I wish more people were like you... You don't think its funny, but you still respect their sense of humor and don't let the un-funniness (to you) to affect your sense of judgement about the other (non)issues in the video! And I respect your right to have a different sense of humor. Thumbs up to your post.
I think this is great ... these guys did their best to put fun into a bad situation and did it in a responsible manner. As for the beer ... you ever see the markup on airport beer?? Who is robbing who huh?
Kudos for the great laugh guys and good luck!
Classic!
Wow, it doesn't take much to entertain some people. I found almost nothing actually funny about this.
This is the funniest video I have watched in a very long time! These guys are incredibly talented, creative and hysterical. I was happy to read that they cleaned up after themselves and I don't think there was any breaking and entering, just entering (airport security's problem there). Loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a HOOT !! Love it. These guys are funny and talented at 3:00 a.m. They deserve an Oscar !!!