Chewbacca, TSA battle over lightsaber at airport

Actor Peter Mayhew, best known for his role as Chewbacca, furriest member of the Star Wars gang, harnessed the power of Twitter to get his light saber-shaped cane past airport security.

Mayhew, 69, was on his way back home to Texas after attending Denver ComicCon, when the imperious guards of airports, the much hated TSA, decided to give the actor a tough time.

But Chewie wasn't about to take this abuse laying down, and turned to his 23,000 Twitter followers for some help.

@americanair won't allow me through the airport with me cane! Can I get a retweet? twitter.com/TheWookieeRoar…

— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) June 3, 2013

Mayhew posted a photo of the TSA agents, light saber cane in custody.

Magic words to TSA are not "please" or "thank you".. It's "Twitter".. cane released to go home.. twitter.com/TheWookieeRoar…

— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) June 3, 2013

In the caffufel of the cane, zach left his backpack at security. . Hope he makes it back in time for the flight..

— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) June 3, 2013

Besides, Mayhew pointed out his 7-foot-2-inch frame requires more than just any old cane.

Giant man need giant cane.. small cane snap like toothpick.... besides.. my light saber cane is just cool.. I would miss it..

— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) June 3, 2013

@thewookieeroars @tsa Just learned Star Wars lesson #1: "Let the Wookie Win".

— Ray Sanders (@DearAstronomer) June 3, 2013

The agents eventually gave Mayhew his cane back, and once the actor's flight landed in Dallas, he thanked American Airline staff checked with him.

In Dallas. Thank you to @americanair for checking on me. Problem was all @tsa. I'm a million-miler on American and they are a class act.

— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) June 3, 2013

Let's hope the TSA learned its lesson.