A heads up to those who travel with a spotting scope

Yesterday, while returning to Seattle from Los Angeles
(LAX), my carry-on bag was screened, my spotting scope
was detected, and I was not allowed to take it on the
plane. Despite my protests that it had flown with me
for over 15 years, and at least 3 times (thru Seattle,
Miami, Minneapolis, and Tucson) since the TSA took
over security, I was denied. The supervisor said I
"might bludgeon somebody with it". I told him, and I
tell you all, I would never do that.

Any way, I was escorted out with my bag and told I
could dispose of the scope or check it with the
airline. Without much choice, I wrapped my jacket
around it, put it in a bag stuffed with newspaper, and
checked it. (When I went back through security, the
guy behind me was allowed to bring on lawn bowling
balls.) Thankfully, the scope came through undamaged.

Anybody else experienced inconsistent
enforcement/interpretation of these "rules"? Any
ideas on what to do next time?

Tom Rohrer
Renton
texasbirdboy at yahoo.com

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