[R-390] Flying with boatanchors

Barry Hauser barry at hausernet.com
Mon Apr 11 18:28:45 EDT 2005


I don't recommend flying with a boatanchor as checked (or unchecked) 
baggage.  The airlines are tightening restrictions -- or more firmly 
applying existing ones -- regarding number and weight of bags -- individual 
and overall.

We go to trade shows with a check-able display packed into two 4 ft high by 
1 ft square cases with handles and wheels.  They weight about 55-65 lbs 
each.  Last time they were about to give us some trouble with them or try to 
charge us extra.  Next time  -- in a few weeks, who knows?

Coming back from a vacation via Heathrow some years ago, British Airways 
told us we were overweight (yeah, put on a few lbs. too.) -- we bought a lot 
of stuff, adding up to nearly 90 lbs for the three of us.  Charged us air 
freight to the tune of something like $2 and change per pound.  Stuff wasn't 
much of a bargain with that included.

Another problem -- radiation and chemical detectors.  They open up those 
display cases and swab all the surfaces with some kind of cloth swatch thing 
and put it in an analyzer.  The concoction of chemicals in the typical 
boatanchor would probably shut the air terminal down and abort all flights 
;-)

Then, I read somewhere that in some countries, they get concerned about the 
word "receiver".  The writer warned travelers and shippers to call the thing 
a "radio".  (So take the tags off.)

Sound paranoid -- I just overheard a few mins ago on CNN something about a 
"man in black" with two suitcases at the Capitol building.  They dragged him 
away and blew up one of his suitcases as a precaution.  The x-ray showed 
what appeared to be wires and a battery.  It was his CD player.  If I didn't 
know many boatanchors inside and out -- particularly the R-390's -- I might 
suspect a portable nuclear device.  Two meters, with some trace radiation, 
lots of round knob things, gears, cylinders -- including a big one in the 
meter, and yes ... a coundown timer -- doesn't look like a radio dial.

If you want to risk it, call the airlines first -- all the ones you're 
taking.  Also, take out the power supply and maybe another module and pack 
separately to keep the individual weight down.  Carry one change of clothes 
in a carry on bag -- or ship your clothes back.

They're nailing things down on weight to conserve fuel -- even talking about 
surcharges for overweight passengers.  Also -- if everyone packed max 
allowable weight and then some, the planes wouldn't get off the ground. 
That's another thing -- they may refuse to put it on board if the flight is 
full and "heavy".  They might offer to put it on a following flight -- for 
the freight charge - or direct you to a freight company which might be 
difficult to arrange and still make your original flight.

Parting thought -- how about those baggage handling systems and, uh methods?

Barry


Mark wrote:

> Seriously, I have been in the international terminal
> at LAX waiting for a flight to Asia and saw people
> with carts stacked with televisions, VCRs, microwaves,
> kitchen sinks etc. waiting to check this through as
> baggage. Has anybody ever tried transporting a boat
> anchor this way and was it worth it, assuming you had
> to be in the country anyway for other reasons.
>
> --- Dan Arney <hankarn at pacbell.net> wrote:
>> First this unit crated ships at 215 pounds so to
>> heavy for UPS.




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