On 25 Aug 2003 at 10:15, Tim Munro wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Willem-Jan Markerink" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > You can ask for a (written/faxed!) exemption in advance....that
> > nullifies their argument of having more take-off weight than
> > calculated ('or do you also ask what each passenger actually
> > weighs??' (!).... *Or* you could split the gear into two smaller
> > weights....if needed get one of those kidney-bag + zip-on-top
> > systems, and zip them back together after the check-in counter or
> > after the gate. ................
>
> Hi WJM,
>
> I might continue to try for an exemption. The problem is finding the
> right person to ask.
In advance, by phone or by fax, is easier than asking on the
counter....
And if you get too many 'dunno' answers, simply fax them what you
intend to do, and what their opinion is....then they must reply; lack
of reply gives leverage to your discussion. Use more than one fax-
number/department if necessary....:))
> Your suggestion of splitting the gear has some
> merit too. I saw a natty looking Lowepro laptop bag recently with
> plenty of extra storage capacity - Madison or something similar. I
> might check it out and see if there is room to slide the camera bodies
> into it and then carry a smaller/lighter camera bag for the lenses. It
> occurs to me that they are less likely to question the weight of a
> laptop bag.
>
> I also noticed the requirement to have checked baggage unlocked when I
> went through last week. It made me pause when I considered my new Arca
> Swiss head sitting on the tripod, as well as a few other fairly
> valuable items. There was no way to add them to my carry on though so
> I had to take the punt. It's getting so I dread the jobs which include
> flying just for the gear hassles involved.
Alternative solution for that: chain the whole shebang together, if
possible something attached to the suitcase too, if possible suitcase
also from metal (Rimowa makes nice ones, although expensive). Use
(soft bags with) cloths to keep it from rattling, or use metal cable
instead. Glue a larger piece of sheetmetal to the suitcase, with an
attachment U-bolt bolted or welded to it, for the chain/cable to
attach/lock onto....
Bottom line: Make life miserable for anyone wanting to take something
significant out of your suitcase, while still allowing basic
inspection.
Only problem is not adding 25kg of chain to 25kg suitcase....;))
(similar concept applied to vehicles/campers: make a large hinged bar
on the rear, fold it out, expanding 2m besides the vehicle, and lock
it in place....only a fool would drive off with that....:))
Btw, what's really scary is not taking stuff out of your suitcase,
but putting stuff in.
And there is no way of detecting that like in the past (not that
those locks were tamper-proof, but still).
--
Bye,
Willem-Jan Markerink
The desire to understand
is sometimes far less intelligent than
the inability to understand
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
[note: 'a-one' & 'en-el'!]
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