Not a wasted, the genie gave me three. Sometimes just finding out the detail is worth it.
The only problem I see witht his is that the ASMP arrangement is NOT published on the TSA site in any way. I've had issues before that were solved by simply brandishing a printout of the "official" TSA document. The public version of the camera policy should state what the ASMP deal is. The there is no dispute when dealing with the "knowledgeable" TSA screeners.
I travel a ton (fortunately or unfortunately without my camera most of the time) and I cannot believe the number of screeners that don't even know the regulation on shoes, let alone pony bottles or cameras
my carryon for hawaii this weekend. i just hope they dont weigh it, because it is a tad on the heavy side. it is just a standard travel-pro carry on. i took some foam from my pelican and transferred it over to this bag. i am also carrying on our regulators/dive comps, and my camera+lenses on a backpack. i am not taking chances anymore with my check in.
They make you leave your case open there, and dont allow you to be present when they inspect your bag.
From my understanding with conversations with my local TSA that this is against the rules. You can ask for your bags to be inspected while present then have your own locks installed. They may piss and moan about it but that is your right. I do this for every flight I take almost with out execption not matter what type of toys are in the duffle. I always make sure that I let the counter know and if drop them off or the TSA person when I hand them over to them. About 50% of the time I have to open them the other times they go through.
Edit - BTW I got the attention of my local TSA when after a recent trip we realized that we carried on board accidently a dive knife and a lighter. Both were missed by the xray tech and a subsequent hand search. Naturally, we reported this oversight after our trip.
Edit - BTW I got the attention of my local TSA when after a recent trip we realized that we carried on board accidently a dive knife and a lighter. Both were missed by the xray tech and a subsequent hand search. Naturally, we reported this oversight after our trip.
Man, these TSA people just keep surprising me. I understand how one can miss a lighter on an x-ray machine, but not a DIVE KNIFE! On the other side of the spectrum, I had TSA people arguing with me about a PEN that looked like a dagger.
Luiz
Allen
can ask for your bags to be inspected while present then have your own locks installed.
that is a good idea.
I have been stopped recently for carrying two bottles of rum (Dual DS-125 strobes). The TSA is not the smartest group of people.
I have also taken to loking all cases (except one) and simply stating that I would like to be present and offering to unlock the case should they desire to inspect the contents.
I just checked in both at LAX and MIA (doesn't THAT sound like aplace to lose gear) and not only had no issues, but never got asked to open anything!! I have found that the one item that always gets opened is the flash batteries fro my IKE200. I have 4 of them and simply wrap them in bubble pack with a address label stating: "Delicate Potograpic Equipment. Quesinots?? Call (999) 888-7777". I place them in my unlocked bag and viola!
I must say that each trip is getting easier WRT the TSA You just need to be firm, but polite and you will get your way.