Using TSA Regulations to Your Advantage

[Kevin Olsen]

So the article from Lifehacker below shows one photographers method to make sure his equipment is never mishandled and lost, packing a gun. Basically, since you must declare a weapon at check in, the TSA's careful procedures for handling weapons make sure that your luggage never gets lost or mishandled. Seems like a great idea, anyone here tried it?



http://lifehacker.com/5448014/pack-a-gun-to-protect-valuables-from-airline-theft-or-loss

KO

[Taylor Morrison]

I asked this question to an ex gaffer who is now in the TSA out of Jacksonville FL and this was the response he gave us...



"The addition of a gun is only going to add an INCREASE to the bag being vandalized. All you are doing is adding something of interest/value to be stolen- logical.

"WE" (TSA agents) don't give two shits about what an item is UNLESS its going to bring down a plane- THAT is all we are looking for.
Bags, in particular yours, must and I repeat must be searched because we can not see what is in it. Why can we not see ... because of all the "hardware" creating many opaque items (i.e. batteries, camera accessories, etc.). And by "see thru" I'm implying what is on top or under or in the cases. We can't see thru metal - only up to- so that demands a physical search if we can't "see" (x-rays) thru a bag.

What the hell would adding a gun (more metal) have to do with this?!?!?!?!?! You are ONLY adding more metal i.e., opaque item- duh!

We DON'T give a bag extra security b/c of a weapon.
Why would we - why would we care?
I can't see the logic this person is making.
Prime example of misinformation.
Yeah, the agent locked the bag in front of him- but we have master keys to re-open it and we will out of his sight if the x-ray demands it.
Actually- some protocol demands that the bag might get EXTRA scrutiny since all weapons have to be legal, legally packed and shipped. If it ain't we HAVE to call the cops. And that cascades into a whole slew of calls (mgmt, airline, cops, passenger, and fbi) typically causing the bag to miss it's flight. And in this instance we don't/can't open the bag until the passenger arrives to witness (and they are usually at the boarding gate, see some problems here??) and makes the passenger go back thru security again!!! fun stuff

So ya, go ahead- add a gun. I need some fun ;)"

nuff said for me....

[Milan Spasic]

Sounds like a terrible idea.


But it does point to the stupidity of the way airlines operate.
Crush the cases with expensive equipment and 'fragile' written on them in big red letters but handle the guns like a crate full of eggs?

[Gavin Greenwalt]

It doesn't work. There was a news item on the hundreds of guns STOLEN from bags over the years.

Just my local airport had something like 100+ guns stolen over the last 5 years.

[Matt Gottshalk]

I have travelled with a handgun in checked luggage.

While TSA may handle you bags with kid gloves, unfortunately it increases your risk of theft by the monkeys working in the baggage handling department in the back.