Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/03/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ted, You are (unfortunately) absolutely right. I am an American and I am embarrassed by the manner in which the TSA people treat our equipment. They bashed my equipment around and had absolutely no regard for the value of said equipment. I can only imagine what people from other countries think of this blatant disrespect. They smashed my Arca-Swish ballhead, even though I had wrapped it in cushioning which should have protected it from virtually any fall. I am quite certain they removed the foam material and deliberately smashed it onto the concrete floor, just to see what would happen to it when they treated it this way! I have also encountered this type of treatment when I purchased audio equipment from both Canada and Singapore. In one case the metal chassis was completely smashed in on one side and when I sent the photos of the damage to the manufacturer he told me he did not think it was possible to create this kind of damage unless the unit had been deliberately smashed. It took literally 3 months to have this hand-made vacuum tube CD player rebuilt and returned to me (At the manufacturer's expense). The other piece was a custom vacuum tube preamp I had made in Vancouver, by Space Tech Labs(Wonderful people). TSA lost the item for 3.5 weeks before it mysteriously showed up. At this point in time, the poor manufacturer was ready to replace the unit because he thought they had stolen it. Sorry for the ranting....The world has changed.....and NOT for the better ! ! ! Take care and good luck when you travel, Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ted Grant" <tedgrant@shaw.ca> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 10:55 AM Subject: Re: [Leica] Hong Kong xray >> joelct wrote: >> >>> Tina >>> >>> There are many "vulnerable" airports around the world via which one >>> should never check in valuable equipment - unless the contents are >>> specifically insured and the luggages are specially secured eg in >>> Pelican cases.<<<<<<<<< > > Sorry mate when the Security Law says you "cannot lock your cases, luggage > or whatever" you check in, you are going to loose things to thieves! This > security situation has opened the door to anyone working baggage to help > themselves to everything you own. Given I had my Pelican case opened, I > had to leave it unlocked with several M lenses, RapidWinders, 3 M7's, new > ones, smashed so badly and absolutely impossible to use on the assignment > to the extent Leica had to remove the shutter release guts inside the body > and start from scratch to re-build the innards due to TSA equipment > handling, I've taken to hanging them on my neck or body anytime I fly into > the USA. > > Even then at hand inspection check in I watch them like a hawk having seen > one guy drop Sandy Carter's brand new M6 off the conveyor belt to the > floor, pick-it up and return it to her bag........... without a word he > had done it! :-( And yes it was broken and had to be replaced three days > before she left on a major assignment in South Korea! Fortunately a camera > was available and replaced under warrantee! But that's no excuse for the > way cameras are handled by poorly trained inspectors. > > And as far as getting your stuff insured only means the thieves don't feel > the least bit bad because they lifted your camera you need for your > assignment immediately upon arrival at your destination! I'm sure their > attitude, if they have any is, "it's insured he'll get a new one for > free!" > > If the so called checked baggage scanners are so damn hot they'll destroy > film, why do we have to leave everything unlocked for the easy theft > entry? Surely there's an easier way. I suppose the simple answer is.. > "screw it don't fly if you can drive!" It may take longer, obviously as > long as it isn't a shoot on the other side of the pond, but drive and > screw the airlines. And for sure the security thieves! > > If I sound a tad off my feed this morning I apologize, but I still have an > absolutely bad taste from TSA smashing my new M7's! > > ted > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 367 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now!