via Bruce Shneier
[h3]Secure your checked bags -- fly with a gun [/h3][a href="vny!://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/09/expensive_camer.html"]vny!://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/09/expensive_camer.html[/a]
If you want to keep your checked valuables from being stolen while you fly, just keep a gun in your suitcase. Many airports won't let you effectively lock your suitcases when you fly, and the new limits on carry-on luggage thanks to moisture-terror-hysteria mean it's open season for unscrupulous TSA employees and baggage handlers who want to help themselves to expensive cameras and other valuable in checked bags. [/p]But once you add a gun -- even a starter pistol -- to your luggage, it gets extra-locked, gains new tracking privileges, and is subject to heightened scrutiny all the way to your destination! [/p][blockquote] A "weapons" is defined as a rifle, shotgun, pistol, airgun, and STARTER PISTOL. Yes, starter pistols - those little guns that fire blanks at track and swim meets - are considered weapons...and do NOT have to be registered in any state in the United States. I have a starter pistol for all my cases. All I have to do upon check-in is tell the airline ticket agent that I have a weapon to declare...I'm given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me. [/p]That's the procedure. The case is extra-tracked...TSA does not want to lose a weapons case. This reduces the chance of the case being lost to virtually zero. [/p] It's a great way to travel with camera gear...I've been doing this since Dec 2001 and have had no problems whatsoever. [/p][/blockquote] [a href="vny!://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/09/expensive_camer.html"]Link[/a]
