The worst moment I had experienced so far I just forgot about a tiny
flashlight in my pocket. Was very late, and between the photo bag, my
name being called by the PA system and the damned metal detector beeping
I almost lost my temper. Did swear out loud in a foreign language when
the hand detector pinpointed the not so empty pocket and the dangerous
mini-torch. And the security did dismantle the flashlight just to make
sure the batteries were permitted items.
Some days we just do better staying in the bed. To get to the airport I
had a row with some rent a car crew about the difference between the
voucher and the final settlement of the bill (had to pay cash as they
said my creditcard refused - wich it did because they already had
charged the balance twice). To get to the airline counter I had to wait
for the idiot in front of me in the line, who would carry 6 bags in his
hand but couldn't lift one, then to board the airplane I had to come
back and describe in full detail the contents of my checked bag, which
displayed in the airport x-ray machine something that looked like 3 gun
barrels (my tripod), some knifes (one folding pocket, one small diving)
and a strange amount of books (9, sci-fi). Then I just forgot to take
out the dangerous flashlight...
And then had to show BR customs proof I had all that strange looking
cameras and lenses before I left the country - wich I did, serial number
after serial number after serial number. The gal was so disappointed she
was not getting me for smuggling a full bag of photo gear she did the
checklist twice. Then found the books, and tried hard to find where it
said I couldn't carry 9 books from the exterior without paying some tax,
or that sci-fi books in english were subversive and outlawed. I wonder
if I had a Playboy magazine...
Other day I asked for hand inspection of my films, heard they say yes
and handed them the ziplock. Wich they promptly received and dumped
trough the x-ray with impassive faces. I only received the films back to
test them - would leave as a present but tought better. No, I didn't
lose my temper, but my face wouldn't qualify as impassive.
I never travel with exposed, not developed film - carry my unexposed out
of the paper packs in a plastic bag (and often use Fuji, almost always
in clear plastic containers) but sometimes we just can't get it done
without some talking, and lately even talking seems ineffective. Thanks
for your views, folks - I'll carry TSA and Kodak printouts with me. And
maybe I go digital in 2009...
LF
Bob Sullivan escreveu:
Reminds me of the time (pre TSA) when boarding a flight in the US
southwest and the guy in front of me was wearing a cowboy hat, boots,
and a 5 inch belt knife in a nice buckskin scabbard. I thought 'What
the hell?' but nobody said a word, just commonplace to carry your pig
sticker with you. Regards, Bob S.
--
Luiz Felipe
luiz.felipe at techmit.com.br
http://techmit.com.br/luizfelipe/
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