In September I was not permitted to go through
security at Los Angeles (LAX) with my scope, which was
detected by X-ray in my carry on baggage. Explaining
that I'd carried on my scope for years previous did
not help.

I was escorted out with my bag and told to check it,
mail it, or trash it. I ended up checking it and it
luckily came through OK.

In about 10 responses from Tweeters, nobody said that
they had ever been denied boarding with a scope, so
its likely a rare occurrence. But if you decide to
carry on, best to be prepared to check it if
necessary. Checking the scope isn't a security issue,
but of course you risk loss/damage.

I've always checked my tripod, packed with clothing or
sleeping bag wrapped around it in a cylinder-shaped
duffle bag. I've never had a problem with damage, and
never had a valuable-enough tripod to be concerned
about loss.

One potentially helpful approach which somebody
mentioned is to announce at security that your bag has
your birding gear in it - binocular and scope. This
might increase the chance that the optics are
recognized under x-ray and decrease the chance that
they'll take issue with it.

Tom Rohrer
Renton
texasbirdboy at yahoo.com


--- Gene Bullock <bullockg at earthlink.net> wrote:
> I'm also interested in responses to this post. I
> will be taking an
> Elderhostel birding trip to Costa Rica in February.
> Is it adviseable to
> take a scope? What's the best way to transport an
> expensive scope and
> tripod on an international flight. Can I carry it
> on?
> Gene Bullock
> Poulsbo
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "C. Anderson" <christyrae at hotmail.com>
> To: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
> Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 5:43 AM
> Subject: TRaveling scope
>
>
> > Has anyone carried a scope and/or tripod onto an
> airline recently? Any
> > security concerns or other problems I should know
> about? (Domestic flight)
> >
> > It's big and bulky, so I'm not looking forward to
> it. I'm thinking of
> > shipping the tripod ahead.
> >
> > Thanks for any advice!
> >
> > Christy Anderson
> > Bellevue, WA
>


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Hotjobs: Enter the "Signing Bonus" Sweepstakes
http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/signingbonus