Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/04/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I asked them to hand-check the Leica CL since it had film in it. A military-looking female spun around with her metal detector in hand and ordered me to place the camera on the conveyor belt. They then proceeded to x-ray it over and over to be sure it was safe. While that was happening, they confiscated my belt, shoes, and socks, and went postal when their metal detector found the small stainless steel wires holding my sternum together (from surgery in 1978). That sent me over to a male attendant who frisked my chest (suddenly, I was no longer as ticklish as I usually am). When they couldn't find anything, they told me to put my belt, shoes, and socks back on while sitting on the dirty vinyl tile floor. I did so and walked back to get my camera, which set off yet another panic (they were so concerned about the wires, they forgot about my camera. Total time getting through the checkpoint was about 10 minutes. Loss to me? Not much. One roll of fogged film and a dirty pair of wool slacks. My reaction? I was just glad to get my camera back without being shot in the meantime. At least I couldn't accuse them of "profiling". I look as much a terrorist as Captain Kangaroo. I wrote it off as insecure people going power crazy due to the badge on their chest. The people at the brake tag station here in New Orleans have the same affliction. Jeffery Smith New Orleans, LA -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+jls=runbox.com@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+jls=runbox.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Rei Shinozuka Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2004 9:30 AM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] What would you do if this happened to you? what the heck was the story behind this ?!?!? -rei On Apr03 09:03, Jeffery Smith wrote: > I was verbally abused and nearly stripsearched for trying to > board a plane with a Leica CL three years ago. -- Rei Shinozuka shino@panix.com Ridgewood, New Jersey _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information