I had a similar experience with BWI. I finally managed to get them
to accept the paddles but have started checking them (and taking
the risk of losing them of course as a result). This was several years
ago...
It's great that there is a predictable, well-defined process and that
you can determine what items are allowed and prohibited before
arriving at the airport.
The Jones paddles I use are no longer manufactured. By the time you
are at security you can't check things.
This isn't improved screening, it's just arbitrary and random
decisions...
73,
Mark, KD4D
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Chris Hurlbut <c_hurlbut@adelphia.net>
> Well... it's not always a big deal.
>
> I flew from Pullman, WA once out east to do a contest. The security
> guys at the little Pullman airport are notoriously picky. I had my
> W9WBL V22 in my carry on, and they checked it. No big deal, easy. Well
> they got all bent out of shape and didn't believe me. They didn't allow
> it because it was "questionable" and it was heavy enough that it could
> be used as a weapon if I threw it. My options were to either leave it
> there and have them throw it away, or have someone pick it up right now.
>
> I argued as long as I could, and they finally won. Luckily I managed to
> find someone who was still in town that would pick it up for me at the
> airport.
>
> I think that was the last time I flew out of Pullman.
>
> Maybe I just look kind of shady?
>
> -Chris KL9A
>
>
> Steve London wrote:
> > I always take my Bencher paddle carry-on to prevent damage, and yes,
> > security people always ask questions. So what ? They ask what it is. I
> > tell them it's for sending Morse Code. Sometimes they swab it. Sometimes
> > they don't. Then they let me go. Never takes more than 2 or 3 minutes.
> > What's the big deal ?
> >
> > On my recent trip to WRTC-2006 in Brasil, I took all cables, adapters,
> > accessories, paddles, etc. in a single carry-on bag. It was totally stuffed
> > with bizarre looking stuff. Except for DFW, getting through security never
> > took more than 3 minutes. DFW took about 10 minutes of swabbing. No big
> > deal. I feel better that they actually are seriously checking funny-looking
> > items.
> >
> > 73,
> > Steve, N2IC
> >
> > On 8/15/06, Jimk8mr@aol.com <Jimk8mr@aol.com> wrote:
> >
> >> The multiple reports of Bencher paddles being examined by customs and
> >> security people is no surprise to me. I had one attract the interest
> >> of customs
> >> inspectors at the Toronto airport back in about 1980.
> >>
> >> However, if you are still lugging a Bencher around the world, I'd
> >> recommend
> >> you look into a K9LU Bulldog paddle. I began using one for
> >> mobile contesting
> >> a few years ago, to avoid the potential problems of a Bencher
> >> flying around
> >> in case of an accident. It is much smaller, lighter, and for use as an
> >> auxiliary way of sending CW where a computer does most of the work, it
> >> does just
> >> fine. It weighs a couple of ounces, and packs quite nicely into
> >> a generic
> >> prescription drug container. In that packaging it won't fool an X-ray
> >> machine
> >> but would probably not attract attention of human screeners.
> >>
> >> I use the version with a magnetic base. There is also one with a suction
> >> base. That may be somewhat larger, but is still far smaller and
> >> lighter than a
> >> Bencher.
> >>
> >> I highly recommend the Bulldog paddle for traveling.
> >>
> >> 73 - Jim K8MR
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
>
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