+++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2003 11:46:46 +0100 From: dl1iaq at t-online.de (Martin) Reply-To: Martin Organization: chaotic To: la3za at qsl.net Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Re: K2, airport security and security alert Sverre, putting the radio in your baggage and check-in is no good idea. They will x-ray your baggage before they store it in the plane. They will see your radio on the screen, call you to the security office, have you open your baggage and begin with the procedure i describe below. This causes much delay, you and them won´t like that. The best way to check in a radio is to go to the security-office prior to checking in your baggage. They will inspect the radio with a sniffer for explosives, etc.. Make sure that the K2 cannot be switched on (remove the battery) during the flight. They will check this. Do not bring it in your handluggage, bring it in your suitcase. This ensures that you will have no access to your radio during flight. I brought a radio to several holiday-sites in the past and i been told by an airport security-officer that this is the best way. Best of all: I think that checking in via the security-office is much faster than via the regular counter ( no crowd there). Maybe I was just lucky, but my suitcase always was among the first 10 on the band at the holiday-site, I believe they store it in the plane as one of the last items. So, always bring a radio with you when you go for holidays :-) Elecraft-Gang, any other rule of thumb? Martin +++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 09 Feb 2003 07:13:28 -0800 From: lhlousek To: elecraft list Subject: [Elecraft] Ham gear and the airlines. I've flown on ~25 business trips around the US and 6 to Europe since 11 Sep 01 often taking my K1, collapsible fishing pole, antenna and ground wires, coax and bead balun, Palm paddles, charger, power supply, fishing line and weights, misc. clips and adaptors, and sometimes a HT in my carry on bags. Although I've had my bags searched many times going through security and also spot checked just before boarding, I've never had a problem with any of the radio gear. Most often they did a pretty cursory job of searching but on a few occasions they were very through. Either way, they never asked what anything was, never asked that I turn anything on, and never asked for a ham license or any other documentation. Basically, they were searching for items that were specifically prohibited and nothing I had was. The work related equipment, parts, and prototypes than some business travelers fly with are far wilder than any ham gear. That being said, I have a friend who tried to carry on a 120VAC powered circular saw. It's on the list of items prohibited from being carried on so they made him check it. The Transportation Security Administration has detailed information on what you can and can't carry on and/or check. Their website is: http://129.33.119.130/public/theme_home1.jsp Lou W7HV (ex W7DZN) ++++++++++++++++