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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Flying? Checking your camera case? Buy a gun
Gerik Parmele, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | United States | Posted: 7:47 PM on 09.23.06 |
->> Just passing along someone elses interesting idea.
"I have a starter pistol for all my cases. All I have to do upon check-in is tell the airline ticket agent that I have a weapon to declare...I'm given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me."
http://tinyurl.com/rxcjt |
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Andrew Wilz, Photographer
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Aspen | CO | usa | Posted: 9:24 PM on 09.23.06 |
| ->> veeeeeeeeeryyyyyyyyyy eeeeeeeeeeeenterestingggggggggg |
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Tony Sirgedas, Photographer
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Pierce County | WA | USA | Posted: 9:47 AM on 09.24.06 |
| ->> While it's probably more secure, it's still not as good as hand carrying or shipping with insurance. When I used to shoot competitively I would fly with my guns checking them in with the airline in a locked hard side case and then put that inside a ratty looking cardboard box so it didn't look like a gun case. Needless to say, after arriving in Oakland on one flight the box with firearms in it did not arrive. At least the 5 cases of ammo I had drop shipped to the hotel arrived as ordered. |
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Peter Lockley, Photographer
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Washington | DC | usa | Posted: 11:34 AM on 09.24.06 |
| ->> Imagine trying to explain that to the security guard at the stadium - "I know this looks bad, but you see it's just a starter pistol I carry with my camera case, and I usually leave it in the hotel room... hey what are you doing with those handcuffs?" |
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Mike Isler, Photographer
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Santa Barbara | CA | US | Posted: 9:46 PM on 09.24.06 |
->> You could likely simply lock the case and accompany it to TSA, waiting for it to clear the CTX scanner. I travel with my firearms once every few months, so I've gotten used to that procedure. The link that Gerik supplies states that the luggage is "extra-tracked"... that is flat out wrong. There's no such thing as extra tracking. There are no markings put on the outside of the case, nor on the luggage tag. The airlines supply you with a "UNLOADED FIREARM(S)" orange tag that goes inside your bag, to prove that you declared the weapon at checkin should TSA decide to search the bag. Each time I travel with a firearm, I get that tag after the airline employee verifies the firearm is unloaded...then take the bag over to TSA. Most times, they never have me unlock the case after it's scanned. Also, for firearms, using the TSA-approved lock is NOT permitted. The passenger must be the only one able to open the lock. Supplying your combination for a combo lock to the TSA agent is not permitted either, if you're checking a firearm.
I'd say skip the starter pistol. It slows down the checkin process, and will complicate things if you're flying into or out of areas with very restrictive firearm laws such as NYC, Washington DC, or Chicago. What about if you're traveling internationally? Other countries' laws may and will vary, and this might land you in hot water. Peter brings up a good point as well. Many venues inspect camera bags, and it would be a long explanation as to why you have this in your bag.
A better solution is just security through obscurity, in my opinion. Make your check-through cases beat up and worthless looking. Brand new Tenba and Lightware cases will stand out like a sore thumb to those in the know. My Pelican cases are covered in various non-photo stickers and are extensively scratched in the hopes that they will blend in with the other luggage. I've heard of photographers putting hard cases inside hockey bags and duffel bags for the same reason. Another thing to do if you can't lock your case is to put zip-ties on it instead. If TSA needs to open it, generally they will replace your zip ties with theirs. While zip ties are not in any way comparable to locks, there is still that additional step a thief must take, and it's not as quick as a simple grab.
This should go without saying... but insurance is the first step here. I can't imagine checking anything in (photo-wise) without having my own insurance on it. |
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