[Leica] airport security heads up...again/OT

[kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour)]

carry on caution...and related to Ted's experience

from another list...


Have any of you jet setters ever had damage to 
your PBs while going through TSA security check? 
Despite that I have travelled with my PB, via 
plane, 5 or 6 times now, I have never had it 
damaged while it was outside of it's sturdy, 
padded, leather case. I had removed the PB from 
it's case; and placed them each in separate bins, 
as instructed. While they were going through the 
screening belt, I was going through the 
"walk-through" when the beepers went off.  I was 
told to remove my knee-high boots, place them in a 
bin; and go through again. When I cleared the 
second time, my PB had been replaced in it's 
leather case; and I replaced my boots; and took my 
PB in it's case and went aboard.  I never store my 
computer in an overhead storage bin; nor do I ever 
use my computer when aboard a plane.  When I got 
it to my MI destination, I opened the leather 
case; and noticed that the computer had been 
placed upside down and backwards in it's case--by 
the security check personnel. There was a hole 
punctured inward, on it's right side, between the 
right battery and the air vents--right where the 
CD drive would extend beyond the width of the 
battery.  There is NO DAMAGE to the padded leather 
case.

When I called Apple Computer and described the 
position of the punctured damage, they said it is 
located where the CD drive is as well as where the 
logic board is; and it would be a Tier 3 status 
repair, which would cost $1K to repair!!!

I understand from a few travelers that TSA, 
despite that they have claim forms on their 
Website, are VERY TOUGH to process a claim through 
for damage to any electronic property, including 
computers!!

Has anyone any suggestions as to how to best 
process a claim?  Should I take photos of the 
damage and/or show it to a local dealer to verify 
the damage?  Or what?  I need my PB for a business 
trip next month.

I would appreciate any suggestions on this matter 
as I paid $5K for this very dependable business 
tool that I've travelled with, since I purchased 
it, in 1996--without damage.

-- 
Cordially,