Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/03/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Yes, and these are the people our country is going to rely on to protect us from terrorism!!! It is a sad, sad world we live in. The bottom line is this - It is all about the money - Nothing more, nothing less. Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott McLoughlin" <scott@adrenaline.com> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 1:38 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Hong Kong xray >I have a very close friend who works for the TSA. Right on the > "front lines." He tells me that the a healthy proportion of the TSA > staff are out and out thugs. There are actually frequent disciplinary > problems and occurences of theft in their own locker room. The pay > is extremely low, so you get what you pay for, I guess. Really too > bad. > > Scott > > Michael J Herring wrote: > >>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! >> >> >>_______________________________________________ >>Leica Users Group. >>See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > _______________________________________________ > 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. 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