Just an FYI for everyone,

Since the various laws went into effect following the 9/11 tragedy,
I'm sure you have all experienced some degree of inconvenience (or
even downright insult) due to the new security measures at airports.
Last year, while returning to Tallahassee from Eleuthera, my baggage
(a small ice chest) had to be processed by security specialists at
Ft. Lauderdale airport before being loaded onto the aircraft. That's
fair enough. We all want to be safe, of course.

When I handed my cooler to the security agent, I explained that there
were very important and expensive sea shells inside, along with a
video camera, and that I would be quite happy to open it up for
inspection. However, I was told it would merely be x-rayed. Stupid of
me, but I believed him.
When the chest arrived in Tallahassee, the contents (which had all be
very carefully packed to prevent damage) were in shambles. I had
placed a number of truly important shells inside the light, flexible
flower pots you can buy at any nursery, which are superb protection
against the gorillas who typically handle luggage at airports. Inside
was a printed document that explained that my baggage had been opened
for visual inspection due to "suspicious items" (probably that Cassis
tuberosa).

Fortunately, I have flight insurance on all my luggage through my
American Express card up to $1200 per item. However, to collect on a
claim, I had to have a damage claim form that was processed by Delta
Airlines. To make a long story short, Delta refused to complete the
form because the damage was caused by security personnel. American
Express will not pay a claim without a damage claim. So essentially,
there is now a "Catch 22" in place, where nobody is responsible for
damages because we are looking for helmet shell-toting terrorists.
Therefore, I was unable to collect on my claim, which American
Express was only too happy to pay, but not without a damage report.

Subsequent review of all the relevant laws, including the Patriot Act
and the Transportation Safety Act, boils down to this: They can break
anything and not be held responsible because they are looking for
terrorists. My sister-in-law and her husband had a similar
experience, with items purchased for their grandson at Disneyland
being damaged beyond repair. The items were all well-wrapped in boxes
with bubble-wrap and those styrofoam peanuts. But still they arrived
in Sacramento in pieces, having been removed from the protective
packaging and then tossed into the suitcase haphazardly.

On a similar note, I flew to Indiana to shoot video at my employer's
facility in Fort Wayne. I had just purchased a very expensive new
digital video camera. Since it looked suspiciously like a, well,
video camera when it was x-rayed (I had it in my carry-on case), they
called for a visual check. Naturally, I explained that the contents
were packed in a particular manner and that I would be happy to
remove everything for them to see. But no, the case was opened while
I was instructed to stand in a sort of open cubicle (obviously so I
would not be anywhere near this dangerous item while it was
inspected). The security person tried to pick the camera up out of
the case, but it was snuggly set in place with small velcro straps,
so when she lifted it, the entire case flew up and the contents (two
auxiliary lenses and filters, a portable video light and several
video cassettes) went flying. I started to leave my designated
"holding area" only to be warned about the severity of my reckless
act. Eventually the security lady figured out the velcro thing, but
before I could warn her about the snap-on lens shade, she (you
guessed it) picked the dangerous item up by the rather large lens
shade, which then sent my $4,000 camera skittering across the floor,
while she stood there holding the lens shade.

By this time there were over a dozen people in line watching this
farce. The security lady retrieved my camera, then took off the lens
cap to look inside (that's where the good stuff usually is, or so I'm
guessing). Then she tried to shove the lens cap back on, but at an
angle that would certainly have scratched the lens. I shouted,
"Please stop and let me do that!" So I was released from my
"quarantine", to be allowed to pick up all the pieces. Thankfully the
camera has a titanium alloy body which protected it. It's a miracle
nothing was broken, but not for lack of trying.

 From now on, I am refusing to leave my luggage until I actually watch
it go through security. They can ask me to move, but they cannot
force me to. And I will always request a visual inspection of my
carry-ons immediately, not letting them be x-rayed to begin with.

I learned a valuable lesson and I hope these anecdotes help all of
you on your next collecting trip / vacation / business trip. And by
the way, has anyone out there yet seen or heard of a terrorist being
caught by airport security. A recent news magazine had a special
report that basically said none of these measures will prevent a
determined terrorist and went on to note many loopholes and ways that
airport security can easily be beaten. Their final assessment: It's
all cosmetic.

I'm all for making my next flight safe, but now I'm thinking, "From who?"

Jim
P.S. Remember to vote on November 2nd. We cannot allow apathy to
determine our next president!

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