From: killer_jupiter{at}robotworks.net
To: atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: killer_jupiter{at}robotworks.net



Having travelled over the holidays, from the 26th Dec. through the 5th
Jan., Something changed over the first. New regulations forcing the
airlines to xray all bags before they checked them in, forcing all bags to
be on the flights their owners were on. Made for a real mess in New
Orleans. They wouldn't let you check locked baggage. No way would I check a
scope no matter how well packed. I travel with cameras. I find the
incessent xraying of stuff to be an annoyance and usually have my film
developed before I fly, no matter where I am. I wouldn't trust my Nikon to
the baggage handlers and I certainly wouldn't trust an 8 inch handmade
truss scope to these people. As far as carrying on, those people are pretty
paranoid. Taking cuticle scissors and nail files from average looking
middle aged women. I can imagine them hauling out your mirror and putting
their fingers all over the surface. I can not see them allowing anything
with truss poles to go on board.

I am not sure there is a great answer unless it's shipping beforehand by
private carrier.

tim in san jose


Quoting Paul Cousoulis :

>
>
> I would put a note in it explaining what it is. I heard they think
> cheese and chocolate are bombs.
>
> Paul
>
> Stathis Kafalis wrote:
> >
> > I air travelled many times with my 6" and 10" carry on
scopes (see my
> > webpages). It was mostly from Germany to Greece, but also to Kenya,
> Namibia,
> > Bolivia and Venezuela. Some times I had delicious discussions at the
> controls
> > (amusant stories...one greek official refused to believe, that this is a
> > telescope at all), but at the end I never had real problems, to get the
> > scopes into the cabin. The trusses I checked in separately). This was all
> > before the World Trade Center attack.
> >
> > Now I am planing a 14" string scope (travel scopes are prone
to aperture
> > fever as well), that will be designed to be checked as baggage in a suit
> case
> > including the mirror. So it has to be Gorilla proof.
> >
> > Stathis Kafalis
> > http://www.geocities.com/dobsonstathis
>
>

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