[TrunkCom] Scanners on Airplanes

[Brian J Cathcart]

On Sat, 12 Jan 2002 20:40:48 -0800 "Doris Dunham" <rdaw@stormnet.com>
writes:
> Has anyone tryed to carry radio scanners onto an airplane as "carry 
> on" items?  I know they cannot be used onboard, but I would like to
know 
> if they will be allowed to be carried on after "9-11" and not need to
be 
> "checked" as baggage.  Sorry if this is not "trunk" related, but it is
an 
> important subject to all "scannests"......thanks

Before September 11 I always carried my 245xlt in a leather case on my
belt and a waste pouch with my Opto mini-freq counter in it and never had
any problems going through security or taking them onto the airplane. 
After September 11 I've done the exact same thing and have never had any
problems on the 20 flights (including 2 to Canada) that I have taken,
except one minor one (detailed below).  Most of the time they have not
even asked me to turn them on.  If you're a licensed ham, that can
sometimes carry a little more weight with anyone who asks questions,
athough I've never need to pull m license out.
 
The only problem I had was going from Montreal to Pittsburgh in November
when a screener did not like the scanner and almost made me check it. 
But he relented when I stressed that it is only a receiver, that I was a
licensed ham, and that I would not use it in the airport (kind of strange
since I was flying on a U.S.-based carrier into the U.S. where I can use
it all day long in the airports).  I've found that just being open about
what it is and being confident about it helps alleviate the screener's
concerns.  And of course, be gracious and willing to check it if they
demand it.
 
Put the scanner through the X-Ray with all other carry-ons.  Don't expect
to use it on the plane, though (except when at the gate).  All airlines
(that I have flown anyway) do not allow use of scanning and/or VHF/UHF
receivers, including Delta who used to allow it but does not anymore. 
Most flight attendants think it is a cellphone anyway (I have to keep
from chuckling).

--

The Scanner Dude
Brian J. Cathcart - KE4PMJ
South Florida Trunking Guide - 5th Edition (On CD-ROM too!)
Palm Beach County Frequency Directory - 4th Edition (On CD-ROM too!)