I only bring my electronics by carry-on. On my trip to Spain in
January it took three days for my luggage to catch up with me. Which
was the start of why I know have a beard. On all my air trips since
9/11 the security is very tight. I find only in the US a search of
everything they do not understand.
Packing electronics light did compromise the quality of my recordings
but that is the route I have been taking.
I understand there are very reduced rates for oversize and overweight
luggage if you have a "Press Pass". I have not gone through the
process to determine if they except passes from "Naturerecordists
News Posting Services". Maybe someone who has done some freelance
can comment on what it takes to get an "official Press Pass"
Rich Peet
PS I end up getting individually searched most every stop since
9/11. I wont even have a dime of metal on my body going through the
process anymore, but it does not seem to matter. In Holland our
DC10's people all got individual interviews with "pressure" questions
tossed in by trained interviewers. About the recording equipment he
even asked if I was recording the interview. Something was strange
there as the Jet went way out of its way to avoid the deep ocean and
to spend the least amount of time possible within US airspace.
--- In Wild Sanctuary <>
wrote:
> With the new Homeland Security mandates in place, it has become a
> real problem to check audio gear through in baggage on the same
> flight, especially if your field equipment is too large to fit
(with
> your clothes and other personal items) in a carry-on. The Transp.
> Sec. Agency requires that all bags be left unlocked if they are to
be
> checked through as baggage so that they can be inspected by hand.
> Locked bags are summarily broken into.
>
> On a recent flight taken by a colleague, several items (a DAT
> recorder and microphone) were taken out of his Pelican case, never
to
> be recovered. Several of the latches arrived at the destination
> unsecured. He was told that he could make a claim which rested on
the
> support of a review of video tape of events that occurred within
the
> baggage security zone of the airport from which he left, assuming,
of
> course, that they were still obtainable. Furthermore, the results
of
> his claim would remain unknown for from 4 - 6 months. Also, the
> airlines typically will not now insure baggage containing
electronic
> equipment and it is subject to getting lost, as well.
>
> Additionally, if your bags exceed 61 linear inches and/or 70 pounds
> in weight, you are charged an additional $80USD for each "offence."
>
> I'm addressing that problem by sending the baggage locked and
insured
> by Airborne Express, which has some really great rates for ground
> delivery and even reasonable ones (providing someone else is
paying)
> for 2nd or 3rd day air. I just sent a 94 pound, 62 linear inch
> Pelican case from my place to Denver via Airborne ground (3 day
> delivery) for under $45. That way, it can be tracked and there is a
> reasonable chance that one can recover something if, in fact, it is
> lost.
>
> Anyone else having these problems?
>
> Bernie Krause
>
> Wild Sanctuary, Inc.
> P. O. Box 536
> Glen Ellen, CA 95442
> 707-996-6677 tel
> 707-996-0280 fax
> http://www.wildsanctuary.com
>
> >
>
>
> --
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