Re: [Leica] Re: New aviation rules

["B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>]

I have to say I am more than a little appalled by the whining, and
that's what it is, about carryon rules - given the events of the past
week.

First, the current "over-reaction" is inevitable, given how totally and
completely the folks responsible for security have been asleep at the
switch up until now;

Second, we know that, eventually, reasonable accommodations will be
reached regarding carry-ons on airplanes;

Third, if the reasonable accommodations aren't reached, it simple means
we will all have to invest in very good bags/cases to insure that our
gear can travel safely in the baggage compartments of planes.

At the same time, however, having just returned to the U.S. from
Britain, I can say that security is still sporadic and a bit bizarre. I
was told at Heathrow that I could only have one carry-on, which is
described as a woman's handbag, or a computer case, etc. I told the
gentleman at the American Airlines counter that my carryone was a camera
bag filled with gear, and he said he didn't think I'd have a problem.

At the first security check, I was patted down VERY carefully, my bag
when through the machine without a second glance - which is quite
strange given that most of the time I fly with it it gets X-rayed and
then, because it's hard for them to tell what the jumble of equipment
is, they hand inspect. Not this time.

Prior to boarding the plane, at the gate, we were again put through the
metal detector, and all hand luggage was hand inspected. This meant that
the security folks pawed through the bag, removing my baggie of film,
removing camera bodies, removing lenses. HOWEVER - there was little of
the taking off of lens caps and looking through lenses that I have
encountered in the past. And the woman inspecting my bag removed one M
body, and then didn't lift the pad to see what was beneath it in the
bag. And no one caught onto the fact that the handles of the Abrahamson
winders are, indeed, potential weapons.

So all I can say is "fasten your seat belts, we're in for some
turbulence." But stop whining about being inconvenienced in response to
more than 5000 deaths a week ago.

B. D.

Ted Grant wrote:
> 
> Adam Bridge wrote:
> 
> >>> Oh boy - I think it's one of the most stupid ideas of the (young)
> century.
> I work when I'm on the plane. No carry-on means no brief-case, no computer,
> no work materials. Will I be allowed to carry on a novel? Women carry on
> purses?>>>>>
> 
> Hi David,
> Sorry mate, but under the circumstances you may not have any choice as it
> isn't just someone on the LUG making this up, it happens to be an assessment
> being considered by your Government and mine and the airlines.
> 
> > This is STUPID STUPID STUPID.<<<<<
> 
> I suppose, however what choice do you have?
> 
> > People can't make risk assesments at all it seems.<<<,
> 
> I guess not, but might you suggest one, sir.
> 
> > Do you think someone couldn't sneak a weapon in via their shoe? Shall we
> all board naked? (I pity the people who'd have to see ME).<<<<
> 
> Now that's a hell of a good idea, be a wild ride in the wild blue yonder!
> ;-)  Naked you say, hmmmmmm well now ! jeeeesh I suppose there'd be good,
> bad and ugly passengers in that case! ;-)
> 
> > Can we get a sense of perspective.......PLEASE?????<<<<<
> 
> Well now lad, I am and I'm sure many here, are open to any reasonable sense
> of perspective, certainly when some of us carry a half dozen Leica's in the
> shoulder bag on the plane and what we'll be doing in the future.
> 
> We know some of our members have been allowed to carry their gear on board
> in the past few days, that doesn't mean it will not be changed. Simply
> because, when heads of governments and airlines get together and it's
> decided "no carry on baggage" we aren't going to have much choice.
> 
> And getting all in a huff over it isn't going to do anything but get ones
> blood pressure up and not accomplish anything but possibly a heart attack!
> 
> Imagine a no carry on flight, " Naked Truth 101!" ;-)
> ted
> 
> Ted Grant Photography Limited
> www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant
> 
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