In line “The mandatory defense“We speak up for people, animals, things or habits that are criticized and rejected by the majority. This article is part of TIME on the weekendissue 51/2025.

When the hand luggage compartments in air travel are overflowing, then it’s Christmas time – and there are just as few limits to the gift-giving imagination as there are to the charity and long-suffering of the security staff at the airports. Table spruces, Thermomixes, Herrnhut stars (ready-made ones), tricycles, two-wheelers, unicycles, scratching posts for cats, baby ski equipment – these days you can seem to get almost everything through security effortlessly. Two or three bulging bags from the duty-free shop too many? No problem.