Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/08/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]One thought to add: recently I've been sending my film ahead to my destination, avoiding entirely the airport X-ray and inspection issues. The exposed film gets sent directly to the lab, and any unexposed film gets sent back home. Works fine, and (just like the old days) my pictures sometimes beat me back home. Jim Shulman Bryn Mawr, PA -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of TTAbrahams@aol.com Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 5:09 PM To: lug@leica-users.org Subject: Re: [Leica] Hand Baggage - Three Questions I never check in luggage so have not had any experience with baggage handlers in terminals around the world. When travelling I use only carry-on-luggage. IF I would have to check in bags I would want to have assurance (and insurance) from whatever Airport Authority that deals with it that it is treated in such a manner that my stuff is intact at the other end. Losing luggage is usually not the airlines fault; it is the departure or arrivals airport that screws it up. Theft from checked luggage occurs at the luggage handling end of the business. It is not that easy to steal something while it is in the hold of an aircraft. One way of ensuring that they treat the stuff well is to present the check-in guys with a detailed list of equipment to be checked; serial numbers, and type of equipment and cost of replacement and have them sign it. This would force the airline to put pressure on the relevant Airport Authority to handle it in a responsible manner and also hold them liable for theft or damage to the full extent of the value! You can put anything on a ticket limiting liability but in the end they are responsible for both you and your luggage! The ticket constitutes a contract between the carrier, the airport and you to deliver you to the assigned destination in a safe manner within the parameters stated on the travel document. The biggest problem will be the heavy dose of x-ray that checked luggage is subject to. It will fog film and packing the film in lead-bags only increases the chance of the handlers opening the bag to inspect the 'blobs" that show on the screen - or boosting the level of x-ray used. I carry my film in clear plastic Zip-loc bags, no paper-boxes and no plastic containers - just the film. Until now I have never had a problem with this and if the travel does not involve multiple airports I have not had any fogging of my Tri-X. Yes, we all want to travel safely but also want both airlines and airports to treat us decently. Without us they would not have jobs and they are a service industry after all. As passengers we have rights and responsibilities too and if we co-operate with each other travel should be possible in a smooth manner. Make theft from checked in luggage a federal offence with a minimum sentence in jail of at least 3 years and have IATA apply this to every airport that they control and in case of unwillingness to comply - remove them from the air transport network. Air travel always involved a bit of hassle and discomfort, but it is getting to the point where one weighs the necessities of it with "is it worth the bother and expense" and stay home instead. If enough of us do that there will be fewer airlines, fewer airports and far more incentive to treat passengers as paying customers rather than inconvenient interruptions to their work! Tom A ------------------------- Tom Abrahamsson Vancouver, BC Canada _www.rapidwinder.com_ (http://www.rapidwinder.com/)