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We have just returned from another trip to the ESRF, probably about the
30th by Eurostar. We always take the dewar, more recently in a case on a
foldable trolley. We never send any faxes, and have only twice been told
that we should have done that to make our lives easier.
This time we carried ESRF pucks etc. The case went through the X-ray
machine (on its side, otherwise it won't fit) and nobody asked us
anything. I was stopped because of something in my pocket, so I didn't
get a chance to look at the screen of the security person to see what a
dewar with pucks in looks like when X-rayed.
When security do ask questions, we show them the invitation from the
ESRF, and we always take a letter (in English and in French!) explaining
what we are up to, and signed by a PI.
The train journey is by now a little boring, but there is plenty of time
to do some work if you bring a laptop (and leave the DVDs at home...).
Johan
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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dr. Johan P. Turkenburg X-ray facilities manager
York Structural Biology Laboratory
Chemistry Department Phone (+) 44 1904 328253
University of York Fax (+) 44 1904 328266
York YO10 5YW UK Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Andy Purkiss wrote:
Eurostar seem to be pretty friendly for Dry-shipper carrying. They just
ask for a fax (to the head of security and the security control room on
+44(0)207 922 4473) detailing the trains to be used to be sent at least
a week before travel. They also say that you should contact the French
security (Direction de la Surete, 34 Rue du Commandant Mouchotte, 75699
Paris, France; Fax 00 33 1 5325 3125) for the return trip.
In the several trips I have made over the years, I've only been asked to
open the shipper once and they just had a quick look in (this was on the
return trip and so I didn't really care!).
I also carry a letter from the head of department detailing was the
shipper contains and that it must be kept shut.
On the last trip the security officer was a student at the college, so
there were no problems!!
Also I should mention that I've only ever taken canes, not autosample
pucks.
On the whole, I find that the train trip is much more relaxing than
flying, and I always know where the shipper is. The only recommendation
I have is not to come back on a Saturday in February, as everyone's
skiing equipment doesn't leave much room for dry shippers.
Hope this is of some use.
Andy Purkiss
