I have transported firearms by air many times. They do allow it, in stowed
baggage only. They must be in an approved, locked container and must be
declaired and inspected by TSA. They are the only luggage for which you may
have (and should have) a serious lock. No ammunition may be shipped. Any
legal item may also be in the case with them.
That said, I don't recommend shipping firearms for the sole purpose of
shipping your camera equipment securely. It smacks of using a firearm for a
frivolous purpose. Having, and especially transporting, a firearm is a
serious responsibility.
Purchass insurance from your air carrier. This creates a better paper trail
and helps prevent theft. The carrier takes more notice as their liability is
no longer just a $200 (or whatever) maximum for a bag.
Regards,
Bob...
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Note: No trees were killed in the sending of this message,
but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
From: "Roger Eichhorn" <eichhorn@xxxxxx>
I'm surprised that they allow guns at all. Hell, they don't even allow
cigarette lighters!
On 17 Dec 2007, at 9:49 PM, Robert Read wrote:
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The link to the New York Times is waaaay outdated.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
