Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/01/20

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Flying with a RapidWinder
From: Martin Howard <mvhoward@mac.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 18:06:46 -0800

Sal DiMarco,Jr. wrote:

> You are imagining problems where there are none. The new TSA people 
> seem
> to be well trained, polite, understanding, reasonable and intelligent.

This is (a) entirely true, and (b) completely irrelevant.  When issues 
of security are raised, training, politeness, understanding, reason, 
and intelligence has nothing to do with the decisions that are made or 
actions that are taken.

The (only) two governing principles in such circumstances are (a) fear, 
and (b) policy.  Currently, people are having nail files and 1.5" long 
Victorinox pocket knives taken from them, while women with six inch 
long knitting needles are let on aircraft as though it was the most 
natural thing in the world.  If confiscating knitting needles or 
RapidWinders became part of the policy, then no amount of polite 
reasoning or intelligent behaviour on either the part of the passenger 
or the security guard is going to change the fact that you can kiss 
both the knitting and the photographic equipment goodbye.  As is the 
case with nail files today or 1.5" long Victorinox knives.  Never mind 
that they are sold at the Tax Free in a number of airports -- after 
you've cleared security.

M.

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