I just wanted to warn everyone to be careful with items in your checked bags. I had a Burris Signature 1.5X6 in Ruger rings in my bags when I left Windhoek on June 11. When I got home and unpacked my bags the scope was gone. It could have happened in Windhoek, Frankfurt or Atlanta.

That sucks! Hope it is replaced. Was your luggage locked? I have gotten into the habit of using brightly colored plastic cable ties on all my zippers/closures on any bag I check. To date on all my trips since 9/11, no one has bothered to cut one off and inspect inside the luggage. Maybe it just keeps honest people honest, or the crooks look for an easier bag?

Sorry to hear about the theft. Hopefully you'll be compensated.
I also have been using bright orange cable ties on checked bags. Inside each bag I place a spare orange tie, and the following note:
TSA "PLEASE UTILIZE THE ENCLOSED CABLE TIE TO RE-SECURE THE BAG. THANK YOU"

So far, no problems.

I am not trying to steal this thread but I had a similar experience. 2 weeks ago I did not lose anything from my bags coming back from Johannesburg to Atlanta but the "damage" occured from Atlanta to Jackson. Luggage was pristine inside at customs on arrival in Atlanta when I was looking for my boots for them to spray.

However I rechecked bags in Atlanta for flight to jackson. Bags were absolutely ransacked when I recieved them in Jackson. Meds were open and spilled in the suitcase and spilling out a large hole in the corner. My fiber powder was open and spilling around like sand out of the bag. Clothes were crumpled and wadded up. Gift bag was torn.

TSA locks were still on the bags. I guess it was a potential thief that did not realize all my optics and range finders were locked in my tuffpack. Perhaps they were looking for drugs to steal as well.

It is absolutely beyond my comprehension how there can be so much emphasis on SECURITY in airports, esp in the US, and this kind of stuff happens EVERYDAY. What kind of morons are in charge to allow this kind of theft to happen?
troy

I would file reports with the FAA. Forget the airlines. The FAA will get tired of handling compliants and pressure the crap out of the airline companines. Be sure to include any information that points to potential drug abuse. That always gets their attention. It's a shame so much riff-raff works for the airlines. LDK

Jriley,
Had this happen to me last year-going to Namibia,
A ton of items from theft, Hunting knife,Bino's(2), apparel, including both my wife and I, underwear. Loss $3000, claim filed after almost a year received $1,200. Combination of flights,United, SAS and Air Namibia. It was Air Namibia who paid for loss, they were very helpfull in getting the check I received.
bobga

That sucks Jim. Was the scope not mounted on the rifle?

I have been, for some time now, carrying all my valuables (other than rifle scopes) onboard with me. Binos, spotting scopes, cameras, electronics, meds, fly rods, reels, etc. After nearly loosing about $3,500 worth of fly fishing gear and optics a few years ago and having my guns misplaced twice on my most recent return in Atlanta (thanks to their screwed up international terminal), I carry on all that I can get away with now.

Goes to show you what a joke airline "security" is. If cameras and binoculars can be removed from luggage and spirited out of the baggage area, then bombs of the same size can be spirited into the baggage area and placed in luggage. In other words, if your valuables are subject to theft from your baggage, then you might as well toss all of the other "security" measures and just let people get on the plane and go.

The scope was an extra one I had in my luggage. I had scopes mounted on the rifles in the gun case as well. I would have carried it on, but scopes are not allowed in carry on luggage. I've been told by Delta that unless it is reported within 24 hours then they have no liability, but I can submit it in writing and they will consider it. I vented pretty hard on the poor customer service lady, but I felt better afterwards.
I'm a frequent Delta flyer, but I'm considering using my miles for one more flight then switching airlines.

On the other hand, I flew to Namibia and back in Sept '06 and to TZ and back in Dec '06 with guns, scopes, knives, bino's, etc. without incident.

No place is safe. the Toronto cops recently busted a bunch of gang members and a veritable arsenal. Most of them were baggage handlers at Pearson airport.
Grizz

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
I would file reports with the FAA. Forget the airlines. The FAA will get tired of handling compliants and pressure the crap out of the airline companines. Be sure to include any information that points to potential drug abuse. That always gets their attention. It's a shame so much riff-raff works for the airlines. LDK

Good point David

There was a major stink here in Sydney with baggage handlers accused and convicted of smuggling drugs..........really got the authorities attention.

don't under estimate the crooks at the Atlanta airport.

In Houston, people were finding trash dumpsters loaded with stolen luggage. Yep, the guys actually worked at the airport. With the security in this era of post 9/11. Theft should be almost impossible,, however, the criminal mind always finds a way! wes

why would you think theft of items from luggae at the airports is or should be impossible. All those baggae handlers types are id card carrying (probably even union members, and we all know how good unions are) employees af the airlines in some fashion and are can certainly be trusted (Obviouosly not) to make sure that security and safety at airports "behend" the scenes as it were is properly maintained. We all know its only the passengers who present the big security risk and deserve to be put thru the wringers post 9/11. I aboslutly HATE all this new empahsis on proper security at airports, especially when I read about things like this where personnel items come up mising from air travelers "checked" luggae that is supposed to be kept secure once its been checked by the airlines and TSA (another govt waste).

And god forbid as a air traveler I were to to question the airline agents or TSA people while simply trying to get to my flight about why they are doing this or that and then not in accordance with their own written guideliines.

Gotta love air travel these days! NOT!

TSA people in most big city major airports are the same old people that were there pre 9/11. Quality of people has not improved one bit. Don't believe me, check out the TSA agents at Atlanta and Memphis 2 airports I just went thru.. It's scary folks.

.had a fun encounter in Orlando airport. TSA was inspecting bags; I stood nearby to watch process. TSA fellow told me to leave...not to watch...I told him that I WOULD stand there and watch...he replied "Oh Yeah?!".....and walked off somewhere.....shortly afterward, 2 TSA officials appeared and began apologising to me....while the jerk approached from another angle, pointing his finger at me and yelling. The 2 supervisors yelled to him to "behave professionally", and expressed to me their dismay at events...asked me if I wanted to communicate formal complaint to TSA/offered me paper work to do so...I declined. The beat goes on.

I just wanted to report a happy ending to this situation. Delta just sent me a letter informing me that a refund check for my scope and rings would be arriving within 10 days. Of course, I'll probably just apply it to my trophy shipment since I just bought a new scope to replace the other one! Oh well.

Wait a sec - you CAN'T bring a scope in your carry-on bag?

I carry on all cams, binos with me and use dual dovetail rings on my guns. Also I fly out of a smaller airport where I can watch them check my Tuffpak. Also I put TSA locks on everything. So far so good.

M

On my last trip I had 4 scopes in my carry on, my wife had 3.

But, rules can change. That was in Oct 2006.

Just carry a copy of the airlines rules that say "expensive stuff" should not be put in baggage.

I don't know the latest regs as they change all of the time but it's not uncommon to be told that scopes are gun parts and thus need to be kept locked up. I do fly with binos, cameras, etc. in my carryon with no troubles.

I too carry binos, range finders, radioos, cameras, necessary meds and have a pair of hunting shoes on or in the carry on. Everything else can be borrowed in case of problems.

Jeff

Last year my friend from Zambia was leaving a Kentucky airport to come and visit me. While going through the screening prior to boarding he was approached by two cops and the boarding area was closed and all the people had to get out. The Xray machine showed he had a pipe bomb in his carry on. After explaining what it really was (a rifle scope) he was allowed through and just made the plane! He sure had the place riled up!!

John

See, this is what is so damned frustrating about flying - no one knows the rules, they constantly change, you can have ticket agents, counter people, TSA in multiple airports all thinking different things or interpreting rules differently.

Also, is there a new rule regarding liquids in carryons? What if I wanted to buy a nice 750ml bottle of duty-free booze and take it in my carryon? Is that not allowed now? I remember they used to deliver it to the plane from the shop. But the thought of putting a glass bottle of booze in my checked bag is frightening - can you imagine it getting busted while in transit and leaking all over my clothing?

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCrighton:
See, this is what is so damned frustrating about flying - no one knows the rules, they constantly change, you can have ticket agents, counter people, TSA in multiple airports all thinking different things or interpreting rules differently.

Also, is there a new rule regarding liquids in carryons? What if I wanted to buy a nice 750ml bottle of duty-free booze and take it in my carryon? Is that not allowed now? I remember they used to deliver it to the plane from the shop. But the thought of putting a glass bottle of booze in my checked bag is frightening - can you imagine it getting busted while in transit and leaking all over my clothing?

Don't get so worked up. print off the airline, country and TSA rules off the Internet just before you leave and carry them with you and hope you have soneone with 1/2 a brain at the counter when you check in and go through security. Commonsense tells me to carry nothing gun like on the aircraft, i.e. a scope. I know people have done it with out a problem but you get the one person that does not know any better and they look through it an see crosshairs and freaks out. I saw this happen at a security check point.

I personally for six trips to Africa and three times that many in the US and Canada put my extra scope, range finders, Binos in my Tuffpak walk them to TSA for the check in, wave at the TSA Agent after he X-Rays and have never had a problem.

Printing the rules helps alot. About 5 years ago and friend and I had 2 rifle and 2 shotguns in one tuffpak and the girl at the counter said we could have only three per case. She wanted us to buy a cheap plastic case for $100.00. I had the rules off the website that did not mention only 3 guns per case. She got her supervisor and we checked throung with 4 in the case. On the retun trip nobody even mentioned anything about the 4 guns in one case.

conifer...

You should have filed that report. Might have taken one arrogant TSA bastard out of the TSA genepool, if enough reports are filed against that guy.

tradewinds,

I think the three-gun rule is a fed regulation about the number of guns you're allowed to export. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
conifer...

You should have filed that report. Might have taken one arrogant TSA bastard out of the TSA genepool, if enough reports are filed against that guy.

tradewinds,

I think the three-gun rule is a fed regulation about the number of guns you're allowed to export. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

possibly......but the 2 TSA fellows (supervisors) who came to me with abject apologies were SO immediately sincere and decent, that I did not want to add to their problems.

Airport rules are absolutely crazy. On my last fly to montreal coming from Madrid i passed trough 3 aiports and on the last jump from montreal to mocton they made me go back in the security control to check my fishing reel and a small whistle i always carry on just in case y get lost in the woods.I tied to explain I was going for slamon fishin and black bear hunting but they told me i could tie someone with my fishing line and coordinate a terrorist group with my whistle. Ridiculous.had to go back buy a small suitcase and check it in. Nearlly lost the flight. Happy christmas Feliz año

Crazy Canucks. I could tie someone with my shoelaces, stab them in the heart with my pen, and coordinate a group with my . . . gasp . . . VOICE! OMG! Next thing you know they'll be gagging everyone, take their shoelaces, and hand out special "safety pens".

quote:

Originally posted by dwarf416:
Airport rules are absolutely crazy. On my last fly to montreal coming from Madrid i passed trough 3 aiports and on the last jump from montreal to mocton they made me go back in the security control to check my fishing reel and a small whistle i always carry on just in case y get lost in the woods.I tied to explain I was going for slamon fishin and black bear hunting but they told me i could tie someone with my fishing line and coordinate a terrorist group with my whistle. Ridiculous.had to go back buy a small suitcase and check it in. Nearlly lost the flight. Happy christmas Feliz año

Is it unreal to assume that baggage handling areas in US airports are under video surveillance? If so, it ought to be relatively easy for the airlines to apprehend the thieves and put some order into their operations.

it is VERY unreal. i'm in pest control, and i used to service the city contract, and almost a dozen private contracts at DIA. i was down in the baggage and TSA screening areas quite often. no cameras. no real supervision. the supervisors office (with only a very small window) was around the corner, out of sight of the screeners. the things you see once you're past passenger areas would make you think twice about checking luggage if its not out of dire need lol

Dwarf, maybe you forgot your "green paper" and thisis a big problem in Canada.


It's all on the reflexes.

For those of us who remember pre deregulation, when you picked up your bags in baggage claim area you had to show your luggage receipts to a guard whom verified them against the luggage tags on the bags. today, anyone can pick up anything from a baggage claim area and walk out. I