Thanks Tony and Arthur et al for your assistance.- I shall explain and wink and smile.
Geoff Hi Geoff, > I guess it still depends on your good looks, honesty and charm. > Despite all the daily "security" bru-ha-ha. I have hand carried two >large 10mm Scale steam engines back from the UK. One prior to Sept 11and >one after Sept 11. (Last July). And subsequently FED Xd one of these engine >to and from the UK again in Oct-November. > In all instances, I went out of my way to explain to the ticket agents >at check in, X-Ray inspection teams and carrier agents the full contents in >detail. All of whom showed surprisingly little interest. > I was even caught measuring the length of an overhead bin of a 747, >with a roll up tape measure, by a flight attendant, (37" if interested), >when boarding to collect my last engine (Duchess). I explained I was >bringing a special present back for my wife, so she asked for one too!. > At Heathrow, immediately adjacent to the United check in is a brand new >"Invision" Super X Ray m/c (Made in Newark, Ca.), with a large sign stating >"mandatory large non-standard luggage inspection prior to boarding". I >explained the "steam engine" contents of the 34" x 6"x5" box and bag I was >carrying, prior to loading it to the machine, and was told to wait to >check it at the gate. I explained if there was going to be shipping >problem, I needed to make alternate arrangements. But security staff, said >no need to check it!. So at the pre-boarding gate, I explained the contents >again, placed it on the x ray machine, and it was waved through without any >2nd interest. > I should explain that I shipped the R/C Transmitter, lube oil and coal, >inside the checked in luggage. But the RX and batteries were in situ inside >the engine. > As stated by someone earlier, the biggest problem was carefully lifting >the 30+lbs of engine into the overhead. Especially for the short assed guys!. > Also some of these overhead bin lids do not have a strait lift motion. >The contents are actually rolled to the back of the bin as the lid is >closed. So plenty of internal cushioning material inside the shipping box >is required. I actually loaded my engine on its side, so that the closing >roll would turn it vertical while in transit. Unloading is obviously the >reverse, so trick is to prevent engine from re-rolling again. Make sure the >tender is totally dry!. > For Fed Xing this engine to the UK and back. I packed the engine in its >normal foam lined carrying box with bag. Placed inside a re-enforced a 48" >x 12" x 12" planter box from Orchard Supply, used a 3/4" thick plywood lid. >This gave an approx cushioning area of approx 6" at each end (including >transmitter) and 3" sides, top and bottom, which was filled with 3/4" >polystyrene popcorn. I also added a rope carrying handle in each end plate, >to assist lifting, and hopefully prevent standing on end!. Container and >engine made two trips and no damage. Total weight was approx 50 lbs. > An interesting side line in all this, is that Fed X Tennesse import >office, have now rebilled my engine builder in the UK an additional 290 >pounds for re-importing 60!kgs of "iron and steel" to me, after he repaired >the paint work, and returned the engine in November. (Fed X have not >contacted me). > I understand most guys ship their larger engines direct to Jerry, and >do not hand carry them?. > Sorry to say, I cannot make it to Diamondhead despite hopes prior to >Xmas. We were planning to take a slow cross country drive, but had to >cancel out. > So have a very good time for me, and send some photo,s. > Best Regards, > Tony D. > > > > >>Reference the newest airport security put into effect a week or so ago. >>Since then, has anyone on the list had experience carrying locos on board >>or packed in checked in baggage? Any comments would be helpful as I doubt >>that these federal security folks have had the proper training on steam >>engines and how important they are to us! >> >>Geoff. >> >> >> >> >
