[sdiy] carry-on minisynth

[Scott Gravenhorst]

My experience many years ago as a field technician covering 6
states in the midwest USA: I had the same opinion about
baggage handlers.  I was more worried about having my tools
stolen than ruined.  One time I tried to take my toolcase on
board, the security staff looked at the volt/ohm meter and
asked "What is it?".  After explaining, they denied it on
board because the meter probes were sharp.  Never mind the
law in those days said you could have a four inch knife on
board, the probes had one inch of exposed metal.  Years
later, I had flown from LA to New York on business.  The
company gave me a laptop to use and I wanted to take it one
the plane.  They said I could only if I could turn it on and
show that it works.  Of course, it was brand new and the
batteries weren't charged.  So to baggage it went.

My suggestion would be to contact the airlines, or your
travel agent and ask questions about this.  Size will be the
first thing they consider, but all the knobs and switches
will overwhelm any security agents -- remember that they
changed the law that stated they had to have at least a
highschool education, they felt that was discriminatory, so
that requirement was dropped -- imagine what those people
might think your equipment is.

With these terrorist measures in place, I would ask questions
of the airline, but prepare for the worst.  You might want to
think beforehand what you would do if they insisted on
putting it in baggage.  Is there someone trustworthy on the
destination that could receive it if you shipped it via FedEx
or something?  What about a greuling long drive?  At least
that way, you are in control.




daryl groetsch <synth_dg at yahoo.com> wrote:
>hi, 
>this is a question for anyone who has flown in the
>states with homemade synth equipment in their carry-on
>luggage. i'm playing a small west coast tour and will
>be flying from portland to LA and don't trust the
>baggage handlers with anything fragile. my concern is
>maybe a bit paranoid, but is there any risk of my
>equipment getting confiscated or me not being allowed
>to board? i know bombs probably look pretty different
>than synths, but... anyone have any stories or advice?
>
>thanks a lot. 
>
>
>	
>		
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