Scanners in hand luggage

[cheeseman]

For the first time ever, I had my hand luggage refused at security today (in Cardiff) because of my VHF scanner. Have taken it through loads of UK airports before without a problem (sometimes they do want to check it works). Does anyone know if there's actually been a change of the rules on this post-Detroit-bomber or are they really just making up the rules as usual? The only reason given was that 'someone might transmit a message to me.' All faintly satanic.....

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Sounds like an idiot on security. Though it's best to pack such things in hold baggage, with batteries removed, I suggest..

[Skipness One Echo]

Absolute rubbish. Never had a problem in twenty years. At the very least it's a supervisor and a letter to managment job. Ridiculous.

People have those mobile phone thingies which are so deadly you can't use them in flight or the plane might crash. Go figure.

[Hotel Tango]

Though it's best to pack such things in hold baggage

.....and get it nicked! Whatever you do, do not put anything of value in your hold luggage.

[deltayankee]

I have heard that what they really don't like is something that transmits, but since the people who do the frisking can't tell the difference between a receiver and a transmitter they just tell them to stop anything with an antenna. Next time try unscrewing the antenna.

[TOWTEAMBASE]

HOTEL TANGO

Thats a bit below the belt. are you trying to say ALL people that load baggage onto aircraft are thieves !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not everybody can afford to loose a 20k a year job....or even their freedom for the sake of a few hundred quid extra. Maybe you should choose which airlines or airports you use more carefully

[Skipness One Echo]

There is a *MASSIVE* amount of outright theft from hold luggage as any frequent traveller will attest to. If it helps, I put the scanner through in the rucksack with the antenna detached and in a seperate pocket.

Works for me, the only time I ever had an issue was at Zurich when the spring in the antenna looked odd to the operator but he was happy when he saw it in context. The other time was at AMS who were very keen for me to switch it on to see if it really was a radio. Once I did, they were happy.

[ACARS]

I have travelled across europe and US with my scanner. Brussels once showed an interest in it but they let it through. Only place I had an issue was at Dublin (on several occassions). If the staff spent more time asking me my side of the story rather than talking about the night out they just had, then it might not be a problem. One time I had to leave the airport, check my handheld into left luggage and then return to security.

[Hotel Tango]

TOWTEAMBASE, if you're that confident you can take the risk by all means. I know better. And NO of course I don't think ALL baggage handlers are thieves (did I say that?), but as I don't have any guarantees I will remove all temptation and not leave anything of value in my hold luggage.

Maybe you should choose which airlines or airports you use more carefully

Fine, you give me your list of guaranteed 100% safe airlines/airports then!

[TOWTEAMBASE]

HT

i AM aware that there are a few people out there that always want what some one else has got, but you came across as tarring ALL loaders with the same brush. yes it happens, but i can assure you they get caught in the end. And on the other end of the scale, i have come across SEVERAL occasions where the pax have claimed something missing that were almost certainly never there in the first place. I take it you have had ONE occasion and now claim them ALL to be suspect. Just please...dont make out to people on here that may never have travelled by air before that we cant be trusted

[radeng]

In the last 30+ years, I've flown over 2 million miles. I've had one go-around, a few delays for tech reasons, a few more for weather and even more for ATC problems. Still less than on the motorways or railways. Touch wood, I've NEVER lost anything because of baggage handlers nicking stuff. Of course, maybe, my dirty underwear doesn't attract......but there are times when more valuable stuff has been in there.

Losing baggage is another matter.... American Airlines have the record wiith 13 weeks. And, as it happened, they paid out around $1300....

But definitely, the most frightening part of all those miles has been the taxi jpurney along the roads to and from the airports. Especially in Milan, Istanbul and Bangalore.

[Hotel Tango]

TOWTEAMBASE, you're understandably on the defensive, but I think that you're a little naive and too trusting. So was I once. However, after the 4th occasion something went missing from my luggage (LHR, JFK, AMS & BRU) I made the decision not to take any more risks. I mean no offence to the vast majority of honest and hard working baggage handlers, but the reality of life is that hold baggage is most certainly not as safe as you seem to want to suggest. For this reason I shall always recommend to fellow travellers never to risk packing anything of value in checked baggage.

[TOWTEAMBASE]

so your suggesting that they open every bag in the hope they get lucky, maybe you are the naive one.......maybe you should have learned after the alledged 2nd and 3rd time.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I'm sure that one or two people on here have been extremely unlucky. I have travelled with my family all round the world; once did 11 sectors on one trip to the Pacific. Have used Gatwick and Heathrow many times... even left luggage unlocked for US customs. We have never experienced any problems with theft and apart from people on here we have never heard of anyone losing anything. Yes, we have heard stories of baggage going to the wrong destination and soon returned, but theft from baggage never. Guess we and our friends have been lucky.

[Avman]

so your suggesting that they open every bag in the hope they get lucky

Actually, they don't have to do that! Think about it.

[Hotel Tango]

TOWTEAMBASE, maybe you're just a :mad: