[Leica] Hong Kong xray

[joelct at singnet.com.sg (Joseph Low)]

             Hello Ted

             I am honoured by your response.

             Yes the 9/11 episode gave open license to morons and security
buffoons to
             wreak havoc on sensitive and expensive equipment whilst
allowing field day to
             thiefs and pilferage artists around airports.

             One more advice - ship the equipment as " Personal effects
shipped as cargo "

             It goes with your flight and the only hassle is to clear
customs - but if you do not wish

             thassle with customs - the final solution is via the ATA Carnet
document.

              I know all these procedures - I am in the air forwarding
business

             Contact me offline if you need more information and help

             Best regards

             Joseph L / Singapore

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+joelct=singnet.com.sg@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+joelct=singnet.com.sg@leica-users.org]On Behalf Of Ted
Grant
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 11:55 PM
To: Leica Users Group
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



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