Subject: Re: [Harp-L] airport security

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

I'm not sure it's quite 'an easy pass', Steve. They DO give my  harmonicas 
a really hard and thorough look, stopping the machine and taking  a fairly 
long time scanning the cases. They also put my purse (with the  other 2 or 3 
inside) through the machine and scan that slowly as well.
 
By fore-warning the Agents about them I've avoided having everything  
emptied out because they then know what to look for as it relates to  harmonicas. 
I'm more concerned about CX-12's which (being radically  different from a 
standard chromatic) have to be fairly new to what they know a  harmonica to 
look like, since I carry several of those.  They're what prompted me to begin 
my heads-up to the TSA people in the  first place. At times they have taken 
some items out of my carry-on Rolly bag (2  cameras, harpcase,tripod, etc. 
which are packed in fairly tightly), but  have usually put them back for me 
by the time I reach the end of the scan line. 
 
My one really bad experience going through the machines was after  
Bonfiglio's Seminar at the Grand Canyon when 95% of my film (several rolls) were  
fried. The remaining few shots left on my fabulous old Nikon (refurbished  
just for that trip) were SO good it hurt realizing how much I probably  lost.  
 
Leaving Phoenix a TSA agent also took out every single item in my  
pocketbook to examine. It took so long I nearly missed my flight. 'Tis the  reason I 
now prepare thoroughly prior to each trip and label everything which  could 
possibly be questioned, including the 'harmonica repair  kit' (using a 
Brother label maker) and make sure to place that face up (in  checked baggage, 
of course). I've had physical difficulties  travelling because of various 
problems so using commonsense and  being proactive has paid off.
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 2
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:33:28 -0700
From: steve warner  <10reedsbent@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] airport security
To:  harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: 
 
They must be since they just patted down a 6 year old girl all caught  on
film.  Just don't let the nutty terrorists know that harps are  getting an
easy pass."