With all the bombings and stuff going on around the world, the authorities HAVE to take it seriously.
I get that, but how they did/do it is kind of sad. Wouldn't it have been a more rational response to verify if it was a joke or not by simply pulling them aside and doing a thorough search of the bags to, you know, verify if there was a threat? He still would have gotten the message (PITA to have to wait, have people pointing and looking, etc..), and safety wouldn't have been compromised.
Instead they arrest him for a simple (if poorly timed, in poor taste, etc...) joke. Meanwhile, this country's constitution protects the right for people to burn flags, protest outside of veteran funerals, etc...
I'm not an expert, but the reaction seems wrong.