RE: [Leica] airport film check

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

Bending over and grabbing ones ankles for a grade school grad "security"
inspector does not make it easy for the next photographer - it just insures
that he or she will probably also have to "assume the position."

I agree with you entirely - film in clear zip lock baggies, 'yes, sir!' 'no,
mam,' until you get to the point where you say that if they ignore the law
you think we should all bend over and play dead.

Granted, if you have to make your plane, you have no options. But I really
like the idea of having the FAA field office number in the cell phone - and
will now program a few into my cell phone. As long as we still have basic
rights in this country, and unless and until the FAA changes its regs, we
have the RIGHT to request - and be granted - a hand inspection of gear.

An awful lot is happening in 'response to Sept. 11' that really has very
little to do with Sept. 11 - and this is one of them. Hand inspection can
insure airline safety as well - or better - than the kind of Xray
inspections now being used.

Remember, what they say about sex as one ages also applies to your basic
rights...'Use it(them) or lose it (them).' ;-)

B. D.

B. D.

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of John R.
Fulton Jr.
Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2002 12:41 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Leica] airport film check


Hi Larry--
I would agree with Ted.
Everything I've read says the security arrangements are really up to
the local security. And they RULE. Pushing them very hard can land
you in big trouble. You may have two hours extra -- do you have a day
or two if you're arrested?

Me?

I wear a big smile. I carry my film in a clear ziplock bag. The
3200Tmax is clearly visible. I have everything in my carry-on bags
that I put thru the machine--cellphone, keys, change, etc.
The only thing they see is me and my bag. I'm extremely friendly, say
"yes, sir", "no, sir", etc. And it's worked. But. BUT at all times I
realize that somebody may say that the film "has to go in the
machine" and at that point I say, "yes, sir -- you have your job to
do." There are few options. I've heard wild stories about
photographers having the local FAA field office telephone number  in
their cellphone so they can call them. Right.

My feeling is that I want to make it as easy as possible for the NEXT
photographer going thru. I do not want to leave a bad taste in the
mouth of the inspectors in regards to photographers. Your behavior
probably made it twice as hard for the next photographers going thru
that check point.

Photographers tend to think they're important travelers and that
heaven and earth should move because they have FILM. Think about it.
Who really cares? Big deal. You have FILM. I'm telling you nobody
gives a hoot in hell.
And after September 11th I don't blame them.
John Fulton
Fort Worth



>
>Larry Fuller wrote:
>>>>  I flew Burbank to Cleveland about a month ago, and insisted on a hand
>>  check. They were stalling and uncooperative, but I was two hours early
>>  so I decided to demand a supervisor and stand there in the way until
>>  they did. They made me stand on the 'circle' and do the whole 'routine'
>>  (take off shoes, belt, sweater, etc.), and took their time, but I didn't
>>  mind. I had a couple rolls of 200,  two of 400 and a couple 800. I told
>>  them I was in no hurry and that I understood. I think that ticked them
>>  off, as they were trying to make it so I would give in and not insist on
>>  the hand check. I guess it depends on the mood of the inspectors and how
>>  defiant you are willing to be.<<<<<<
>
>Hi Larry,
>Well ol buddy there are a few airports in the world where you don't want to
>pull that trick because they'll just leave you sitting there until you see
>your flight rotating off the runway.
>
>Try Heathrow in London UK for one. And I'd bet you could run into some mean
>assed supervisors in the USA who'd let you sit there until hell freezes
over
>or you've peed your pants, certainly after 9/11.
>
>This standing tough at airport security gates and demanding hand check of
>film is just a big crock! Hand baggage scanners will not do anything to
your
>film..............PERIOD!  NADA, NOTHING, ZILCH! So why have the world
think
>you are some kind of jerk demanding a hand check and supervisor attention
>etc for absolutely what?
>
>So you can show them you've got two hours to kill by being a pain in the
ass
>to everybody. Big deal, next time just throw the film down and walk through
>and pick it up..
>
>It's people like you doing the tough ass act that make it tough for the
rest
>of us flying photographers who make a living at taking pictures. And that
>may well be your case also, but hey man why make it tough for everybody
when
>a small touch of common sense could make life real easy for everybody.
>
>And you created all that fuss over a lousy half dozen rolls of film?
>
>>>I had a couple rolls of 200,  two of 400 and a couple 800. <<<<
>
>Jeeeeeeeeeeeeesh!   Have a nice flight.
>ted
>Ted Grant Photography Limited
>www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant
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