Many people may not recognize Tom Sherak, the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. But during the five-hour flight from Chicago to Los Angeles, he made rounds to have his photograph taken when fellow passengers.

While famous in his own right, Sherak was in the spotlight for what he was carrying with him: The Oscar that would be awarded for best picture at the coming Academy Awards.

According to the Huffington Post, “passengers used cellphones and pocket cameras to snap photos with the Oscars as airline workers held a show-related trivia contest, awarding hoodies and hats from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.”

Being able to see and hold an Oscar was a fun surprise for passengers like Rockford Yapp, who said, “This is the closest I’m ever going to be to having one, so I’m enjoying it.” Yapp, who happened to be sitting in the 84th seat on the plane, was also given an Oscar sweatshirt, given this year is the 84th annual Academy Awards.

Normally, the Oscars are shipped to Los Angeles, but Sherak said that they were shaking things up for the first time in 70 years “just for fun.”

On arrival in Los Angeles, passengers were presented with miniature, chocolate Oscars to take with them.

For those in on cheap flights to Los Angeles, Academy Awards will be presented at the Kodak Theater in February 26.

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Source: Huffington Post
Flickr Photo Credit: Adarsh Upadhyay