Subject: Scopes, etc. as carry-on <fwd>
Date: Oct 14 15:27:41 1999
From: Dan Victor - dcv at scn.org


Hi Tweets,

Some of you may not have seen Bill's interesting posting on Birdchat.

Cheers,

Dan Victor, Seattle, mailto:dcv at scn.org ___.-////
Web = http://angelfire.com/wa/Victor2/ \_>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 11:10:11 -0700
From: Bill Smith <birdman at techline.com>
To: BIRDCHAT at listserv.arizona.edu
Subject: [BIRDCHAT] Scopes, etc. as carry-on

Chatters,

I agree that it's wisest to carry your scope and other
camera/optical gear as carry-on, and in the Americas (or on
North-American-based airlines) that usually is no problem so
long as you as you observe the size and piece restrictions.

Be aware, however, that many European airlines now
more-or-less rigorously impose a 12-lb. limit to carry-on
luggage. You may find your scope and other important items
grabbed away from you (and flung into the hold) on British
Air, SAS, and some others. The situation tends not to arise
upon departure from North America, but on return or
connecting flights overseas. It happened to friends of ours
and almost to us, in London, both times on BA.

If you're using a European or other such airline, you
might trying inquiring about their policy when booking your
flights, and if such restrictions are disclosed, ask to have
your passenger record annotated that you're carrying
expensive camera/optical equipment exceeding 5 kg (the
limit). Take the name (and location) of the person you
spoke with, and if confronted, firmly ask for a supervisor
before surrendering anything. That worked for our tour
leader when flying on an Asian airline merely handled by BA
in London.

It ain't easy being a travelling birder :-)
------------------------------------------------------------
P W (Bill) Smith
Grays Harbor, Washington USA
birdman at techline.com