Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/10/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I rarely travel solo any longer, and so I always implore my travelling companion to get in queue several persons foreward of me. In this manner, I've someone to claim my bags on the other side of the X-ray platform, should I be detained whilst passing through the metal-detector archway and have to make a second pass or be hand-swept by the attendant. I also place my camera holdall inside a generic rucksack. Whilst sitting in the gate reception or in the lounge, I keep my leg through the strap and my "antennae" at full staff, although I do not fuss obviously over my bag and when I lift it I do so quickly so as to belie its weight or the dearness of its contents to onlookers. When at my destination I always use a holdall with both shoulder and waist straps. It would take a team of thieves to get it off of me, and thus far they've all evidently opted for easier prey. As to airporrt inspections, I've found that it matters more who the individual inspector happens to be than on airport or airline policy. On more than one occasion I've passed through the same airport, en route and returning, where in one direction the security person required me to open my bag and take the lenscaps off of each and every lens so they could peer through them; the other way the bag passed muster without a word. A word to the wise: where they've required to see the bag's contents, I always respond cheerfully and say "I'll show you whatever you need to see" whilst opening the bag myself. Usually this eager offering allays any suspicions they have and the search is brief and superficial. If not, rather it be me who unpacks, uncaps and "demos" my equipment to the inspector. I've never had one brush me away and demand to do it themselves. They really don't want to work any harder at their job than they absolutely must. Regards, Nigel ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]