Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/08/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]There is always Greyhound, N'est Pas? :-P Steve Barbour wrote: > > On Aug 12, 2006, at 3:40 PM, Walt Johnson wrote: > >> Tom >> >> I learned my lesson well almost 20 years ago. Went on assignment to >> Haiti and, as always, hand carried photo gear. Unfortunately, I had >> insulin and needles in my checked-in backpack. I made it to Port au >> Prince and the backpack went on a side trip to Paris or Algeria. >> (my next to the last last AirFrance flight) I managed to find some >> IM needles in what past for a local pharmacy and did get by with >> what little meds I had in my pocket. Several obvious things; >> >> 1.If you need it, carry it. >> 2. Always carry more than you need >> 3. Use AirFrance as a last resort. >> 4. If it is the last resort and you have no choice but AirFrance, >> take a bus. >> 5. Only eat American or Canadian fries. :-) > > > > Walt... it sounds like we are going to have a harder time than I > thought, getting you to Paris... > > > :-) > > Steve > > >> >> >> TTAbrahams@aol.com wrote: >> >>> I never check in luggage so have not had any experience with >>> baggage handlers in terminals around the world. When travelling I >>> use only carry-on-luggage. IF I would have to check in bags I >>> would want to have assurance (and insurance) from whatever Airport >>> Authority that deals with it that it is treated in such a manner >>> that my stuff is intact at the other end. Losing luggage is >>> usually not the airlines fault; it is the departure or arrivals >>> airport that screws it up. Theft from checked luggage occurs at the >>> luggage handling end of the business. It is not that easy to steal >>> something while it is in the hold of an aircraft. One way of >>> ensuring that they treat the stuff well is to present the check-in >>> guys with a detailed list of equipment to be checked; serial >>> numbers, and type of equipment and cost of replacement and have >>> them sign it. This would force the airline to put pressure on the >>> relevant Airport Authority to handle it in a responsible manner >>> and also hold them liable for theft or damage to the full extent >>> of the value! You can put anything on a ticket limiting liability >>> but in the end they are responsible for both you and your luggage! >>> The ticket constitutes a contract between the carrier, the airport >>> and you to deliver you to the assigned destination in a safe manner >>> within the parameters stated on the travel document. The biggest >>> problem will be the heavy dose of x-ray that checked luggage is >>> subject to. It will fog film and packing the film in lead-bags >>> only increases the chance of the handlers opening the bag to >>> inspect the 'blobs" that show on the screen - or boosting the >>> level of x-ray used. I carry my film in clear plastic Zip-loc >>> bags, no paper-boxes and no plastic containers - just the film. >>> Until now I have never had a problem with this and if the travel >>> does not involve multiple airports I have not had any fogging of >>> my Tri-X. Yes, we all want to travel safely but also want both >>> airlines and airports to treat us decently. Without us they would >>> not have jobs and they are a service industry after all. As >>> passengers we have rights and responsibilities too and if we >>> co-operate with each other travel should be possible in a smooth >>> manner. Make theft from checked in luggage a federal offence with >>> a minimum sentence in jail of at least 3 years and have IATA apply >>> this to every airport that they control and in case of >>> unwillingness to comply - remove them from the air transport >>> network. Air travel always involved a bit of hassle and >>> discomfort, but it is getting to the point where one weighs the >>> necessities of it with "is it worth the bother and expense" and >>> stay home instead. If enough of us do that there will be fewer >>> airlines, fewer airports and far more incentive to treat passengers >>> as paying customers rather than inconvenient interruptions to >>> their work! Tom A ------------------------- Tom Abrahamsson >>> Vancouver, BC Canada _www.rapidwinder.com_ >>> (http://www.rapidwinder.com/) >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > >