On Dec 17, 2007, at 19:06 , Bob wrote:
The link to the New York Times is waaaay outdated. Eastern Airlines
went away quite a few years ago. Then when I looked at the date it
was 16 July 1988, almost 20 years ago. Things have changed
drastically since then, ever since 9/11.
The insurance will help but you're shafted if you are on vacation or
assignment and your camera gear is missing.
If video surveillance isn't working, the RFID tags, while a good
idea will only tell them where your luggage is when the contents
are scanned for good loot.
What about FedEx or UPS for example to the lodgings you're staying
at. I wonder if you can give them a heads up that you're expecting
a package on or before your arrival?
In this case I'm visiting family, so shipping would be easy. (I've
already shipped most of the gifts - including, ironically, 2 small
cameras.)
I love the "Smith & Wesson" security idea. Alas, I don't own a gun,
and don't have a clue about the various regulations I'd be dealing
with, so definitely not for this trip. I wonder what they would think
when I checked in a gun and a baby seat in at the same time? I'll bet
the baby seat would actually arrive on the same flight, for one thing.
Gate checking seems like a reasonable alternative, although at that
point it's just carry-on without having to worry about fitting it in
the overhead. You still have to lug it around the airport, etc.
However, the gear would be better protected, and if the case is the
right size, it might be allowed on as a carry-on anyway, with luck.
I'll probably just end up doing what I usually do, carry the camera,
main lens, and laptop, and check the non-essential tucked in the with
the clothes.
cheers,
robert
