Originally posted by vizbiz
What would the security screeners make of a suitcase filled with complex electronics? I appreciate they can of course open the case and give it a good look-over, but would they let that much electronics onto a plane if they can't verify it really IS just a monitor?
Since 9/11 I have had to check all of the electronics testing kit that I take with me, primarily because it includes a comprehensive toolkit with pointy bits. I put it all into a semi hard ballistic nylon TravelPro case, and then use bubble wrap on the indvidual items inside. Believe me, on the x-ray it looks like a disater area, and the TSA have opened it on a number of occasions. Interesting that no other agency feel the need to. I have been pleasantly surprised that it has always arrived intact, and without any security problem. On one occasion the ballistic nylon was ripped right through, on another it came off the back of a limobike on the Cromwell Road, and it's gone missing (but returned a day or two later) twice.
Think bubble wrap, and then some more bubble wrap. As an aside there was a recent Brainiac where they chucked an old CRT TV/video combo out of the back of a van using a number of different protection methods, and bubble wrap was the definite winner.
I brought back a telescope from the US about seven or eight years ago on VS. It was in a custom made foam insert case, and it went in the hold as it was too big for cabin baggage. It arrived in perfect order.
Now whether a 'Fragile' sticker makes one iota of difference, I don't know.
Cheers, Howard
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