From: richas{at}earthlink.net
To: Gary Seronik , Jeff Albro ,
        atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: richas{at}earthlink.net


The People's Democratic Commissariat of Homeland Security would be insane
to allow a passenger to carry large optics aboard a commercial flight.  
Reason:
there is a rare skill called "knapping" that enables one to
fashion a deadly razor-sharp blade from a piece of thick glass.   You can
learn more about this
by Google search.

However, they could minimize the risk by testing the mirror on a foucault
tester.   A rotten mirror is obviously intended to be knapped into a
weapon.  A
good mirror would be less likely to be sacrificed.  On the other hand, a
superbly exquisite mirror is immediately suspect as an attempt to fool
them, etc.

Oh, yeah, if you try it... you must wear thick leather gloves or have a lot
of band-aids around.  Expect to lose blood.

. . . Richard

-------Original Message-------
From: Gary Seronik 
Sent: 01/27/03 04:29 PM
To: Jeff Albro , atm{at}shore.net
Subject: Re: ATM Carry on scopes and post 9/11 security...

>
>
Hi Jeff:

At 03:38 PM 1/27/2003 -0500, Jeff Albro wrote:
>
>
>I'm planning an 8 or 10 inch newtonian, and planning to travel with it.
>I'm trying to decide to make it small enough for carry on or sturdy
enough
>for baggage.
>
>I was wondering if anyone has reports of success of failure when
>attempting to bring your telescope on board as carry on baggage.

I've taken my 8-inch (see the December 2001 Sky & Telescope) on two post 9
- 11 trips and, apart from mild curiosity, haven't encountered any
problems.  These were both international trips (Canada) for what that's worth.

Gary Seronik

>

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