38 replies to this topic

[domino22]

Just read some where the other day that most problem airports for thieft of scuba gear was Miami then Fort Lauderdale followed by Seattle as third. This was from TSA employee's that were arrested. Puerto Rico always scared me, just a thought.

[Latitude Adjustment]

I've heard about Miami's stolen bags problem before but the bigger problem is TSA taking apart gear to inspect when they don't know how the camera/light cases latchs work and break things. I'm almost sure it was TSA that lost my purge button retainer on the Galapagos trip.

[jextract]

Thousands
Standing
Around


Taking
Shoes
Away


Treason by
Senate
Action


there's a ton of 'em.

[Desert_Diver]

I leave my gear as disassembled as possible, to avoid TSA screwing it up. I then re-assemble everything once we're settled in. So far, I haven't had a problem (crossed fingers!)

I carry my regs in the carry-on so that I can see their sticky fingers... as well as my dive comps and one mask. Worst case, I can rent anything else at most place. My cameras usually go with me, the UW housings stay in my checked bags, with the o-rings in a clear ziplock to keep dust and lint out of 'em.

I trust the TSA about as far as I can spit a bowling ball. Anyone that's willing to sift through my dirty underwear for $6/hour can't be all *that* bright.

Does anyone know if they've actually found ANYTHING for all the grief they've put the American public through over the last 4 1/2 years? I've looked, and haven't found a single report. As far as I can tell, they're just as useful as Hitler's 'brown shirts'... with the same attitude problem. At least our *other* pubicly funded security forces like the police and military have to go through a training program that weeds out some of the trash.

All I can detect of the TSA filtering and training is a minimum of 'dangerous item' identification, and they don't even know their own rules. I had one give me grief about a disassembled pony bottle. I calmly produced the recent list from *their* website that says it's perfectly OK if the valve is removed, as well as the US DOT reg stating that any compressed gas cylinder containing less than 150PSI is not considered 'hazardous' for any transportation purposes.

[mantarraya]

As someone who travels frequently for both work and pleasure, I can't see a single improvement in airport security as far as what TSA does. Heck, a few months ago, they even backed off the check for things like box cutters, knives, etc. (things the hijackers did use to carry out 911) in favor of more explosives screening. What was the logic in that????

The whole thing is ridiculous.

[yacmandu]

As someone who travels frequently for both work and pleasure, I can't see a single improvement in airport security as far as what TSA does. Heck, a few months ago, they even backed off the check for things like box cutters, knives, etc. (things the hijackers did use to carry out 911) in favor of more explosives screening. What was the logic in that????

The whole thing is ridiculous.

I agree TSA is ridiculous.
I almost missed a flight because I was to late to check a bag. I forgot I had my pocket knife stashed in case we went hiking. The TSA worker didn't know whether to measure from the serrations to the tip or the whole blade. Then he had to call a supervisor. After that I had to fill out a bunch of forms. Now I am probably on some watch list.
To top this off it is a Federal job with those great benifits.

[Photographic Mercenary]

I have given up on traveling with my gear.
Inside the states I ship UPS three day ground.
Insure the contents for three times the value.
I can track where it is from the web.
Ship directly to the dive shop I am working with.
Let them know it's coming.
Then on the return, ship directly to home.
No muss no fuss.
Parker cases work for me.

I'm working on an agreement for shipping to the islands, getting around customs quickly.
UPS is a Teamsters Union operation they know how to grease the wheels.

pm

[intotheblue]

I leave my gear as disassembled as possible, to avoid TSA screwing it up. I then re-assemble everything once we're settled in. So far, I haven't had a problem (crossed fingers!)

I carry my regs in the carry-on so that I can see their sticky fingers... as well as my dive comps and one mask. Worst case, I can rent anything else at most place. My cameras usually go with me, the UW housings stay in my checked bags, with the o-rings in a clear ziplock to keep dust and lint out of 'em.

After them stealing a great little crescent wrench on my key chain, a couple pair of nail clippers, and a bunch of expensive batteries to a mexican screener, I bought a boat! Between cave diving and diving offshore, I keep myself pretty content! I do miss the diving, but not the hassles.

[Dive_Girl]

I flew to the Bahamas last week through FLL. I had no issues with my gear either carry-on or checked. I actually fly quite a bit. I am almost always with my gear and I have yet to have any issue. I take my bags to the check area and simply explain I am a scuba diver and they will see scuba gear. They thank me for letting them know (it usually sparks a good natured conversation to boot), and my bags always get pulled for further inspection. I wait and watch while they do their check. At that point I have an option to lock my luggage for the duration of my travels.

I have yet to see an airport where the bag checks are not visible to the passengers or where the passengers are not allowed to lock their baggage after the inspection. Am I just lucky?

On my most recent trip I had to clear customs in FLL on my return, again I just stated that I have scuba equipment and the bags were inspected in detail while I watched.

[blacktar]

I have had similar experiences as Dive Girl. What really surprises me is that in places like MIA, I figure that they would be used to seeing dive gear. But I always get the person who just doesnt have a clue. All I do is tell them I have dive gear. I always get asked "How deep have you been?" After a friendly chit chat and full body cavity search they have no problem letting me put a zip tie on my duffel bag zippers. Maybe I should be the one asking "how deep have YOU been?"
Patrick

[Travelnsj]

I always take my Reg, Mask, Camera, Light and Computer in an extra carryon. I am standing there while I explain that is a Reg, light etc....they do not take anything apart. May be a little heavy and cumbersome carring on two carryons....But everything makes it.

Yacmanu...TSA sounds like a great job.....and I need one....work for the Feds get all those great benefits...and I can live off the tax paying public.....Maybe it is time I get some of my money back...I think I will apply!...LOL

Edited by Travelnsj, 08 June 2006 - 08:56 AM.

[Dive_Girl]

After a friendly chit chat and full body cavity search they have no problem letting me put a zip tie on my duffel bag zippers. Maybe I should be the one asking "how deep have YOU been?"

[cdtgray]

For a while I didn't really mind TSA. I have never had anything stolen from my checked baggage and found the checks at the gate to be only a minor hassle.

However, my opinion of TSA definitely turned negative when I arrived in back in the US on mid-tour leave from Iraq. While departing the international terminal myself and the other soldiers who were also on the flight from Kuwait were treated to a warm welcome from members of the USO as well as other organizations and individuals. Yet when we processed back through security to catch follow-on flights, the reception by TSA was less than welcome. In addition to removing boots and belts, extra bag searches and pat-downs seemed to be the norm for the group. In general the attitude of the TSA employees seemed to be somewhere in between indifferent and angry, as though our requirement to go through their security checkpoint was an inconvenience to them. Perhaps my perception was skewed from spending the preceeding 80 hours traveling, but what I saw just seemed wrong.

[captsteve]

They almost screwed up my mp3player housing....... ouch!

[ScubaHawk]

On my trip back from the New Years Eve blast in Cozy, the Mexico authorities took my small extension cord and power strip, claiming I could not take them on the plane. The funny part is when the lady asked her co-worker, in Spanish "Do we still need one of these in the office?"

The worst part of the baggage situation in America is the lack of responsibility. Between my friend and I we have had 3 bags broken and numerous minutia disappear. The airline blames the baggage handlers, the baggage handlers blame TSA, TSA blames the airlines etc .. .