A new thought on packing knives for travel?

[Kai]

"The USA TSA has been responsible for many thefts of small valuable objects from luggage. "

Got any evidence for that?

If not, please don't go making criminal accusations against other people.



Fact is, reports of lost items from luggage are down following the TSA reforms. Lost baggage is way down. Why? Baggage handlers are now subject to background checks and baggage handlers are now more closely watched. Baggage handling areas are under video surveilance. Nobody has casual access to checked baggage anymore and nobody is left alone with the checked baggage anymore either.

Even passenger separations are way down (or were until US Air's recent little snaffu). There's a lot more emphasis on moving bags along and keeping them with their passengers. Airlines now have to match bags to passengers 100% and they have to give an accounting of any bags that are aboard without matching passengers. The days of "oh, just throw it on the next flight," are over. Now they have to file a report documenting that bag and justifying why its going unattended on that flight. The airlines have found that it's a lot less work (read expense) to just hussle and get the bag on the right flight in the first place.

Big story in NY with regards to TSA. See: http://i.abcnews.com/WNT/story?id=266573

 

[Zerileous]

I think that current policy is poor also, and that some form of reform is needed. I like the idea of declairing and locking up valuables.

 

[twisted bits]

Because of lost luggage and thefts, I no longer put ANY valuables in check-in luggage, I keep it in the carry-on, AND, I carry as little luggage as possible. Of course, I no longer fly either (last flew 1988 and 1997) - not because of terrorism, but because of continuing instances of mechanical failures, maintenance errors, pilot fatigue, pilot inebriation and other otherwise preventable events, resulting in aircraft failing to stay aloft.

If your luggage is lost, there's a place, I think in North Carolina, where all the "LOST" luggage goes to be SOLD. Saw it on TV this summer, I think the Travel Channel had it.

 

[Gollnick]

I know that the only way thay you can transport a handgun in checked luggage is to declare it, and have it unloaded in a locked box. So why can't I declare the knives and put them in a locked box?

You can!

As I said in one of my previous posts in this thread:

As thing are today, if you would like to watch as your bag is inspected and then lock it when they're done, you may do so.

you can't do this because as I said, even if you do watch them search/x-ray your bag, after that, your bag can be searched, rifled through, etc.

No. No. You can lock the bag in whatever way you want. They put a sticker on it. It's done! Unless there is some very specific suspicion about your bag, it won't be opened again. I've done this many times.

Big story in NY with regards to TSA...

As I said in a previous post in this thread

I have no doubt that some TSA people are stealing from baggage. This pre-dates TSA... Are there cases of TSA employees stealing from suitcases? Yes, I'm sure there are. They are people and wherever you find people, you will find a certain small fraction of dishonest people.

What I object to are sweeping statements that seem to indict all TSA employees with no supporting evidence at all. You're sweeping statement makes TSA sound like a den of thieves. I'm confident that the vast majority of TSA employees are good, honest people just trying to do their job.

Because of lost luggage and thefts, I no longer put ANY valuables in check-in luggage, I keep it in the carry-on, AND, I carry as little luggage as possible. Of course, I no longer fly either

Ohhhhhhhh Kaaaaay!

We'll just ignore your comments then.

not because of terrorism, but because of continuing instances of mechanical failures, maintenance errors, pilot fatigue, pilot inebriation and other otherwise preventable events, resulting in aircraft failing to stay aloft.

The vast majority of aircraft stay aloft and arrive safetly at their destination. Statistically, you are much safer flying than any other form of transportation.

 

[Neko2]

SHip your knives FedEx Ground. It's cheaper than USPS and UPS and includes $100 coverage and tracking. 1-5 day delivery anywhere in the CONUS. Pretty much solves all your domestic travel plans in relation to bringin' the knives. Just go to any FedEx Kinkos. I've found it much easier than trying to safeguard my stuff in a bag that I can't keep with me.

N2

 

[Esav Benyamin]

It's still covering up for the FACT that we're dealing with poorly thought out laws and inefficient implementation of real security policies.

There's lots of ways to get through the day without all the gear we're used to carrying. I don't NEED my knives, I don't NEED my medical kit, I don't NEED my shoes. Well, maybe I do, but who cares? Not the sheep. All they NEED is the wool pulled down over their eyes.

 

[cognitivefun]

Thanks for the "dirty socks" tip, but I don't see how there is a safe way to transport knives anymore in checked bags, period. So I will stick to my "don't care as much if I lose them" knives, my Ka-Bar Dozier folding hunter and my BM Monochrome (both replenishments on order as I gave away the former and lost the latter on a recent vacation).

What burns me even more is that I can't carry my Glock when I travel on Amtrak because it is not allowed, even though I have a VA permit and could easily get a PA one (my final destination). But that's another subject, and at least on a train I don't have to check bags and give them up to search by federal officials in complete contravention to the Bill of Rights (just my opinion of course--you could use the implied consent doctrine to justify government's searching anyone except someone strictly in their house. Such degradation of our former rights was something I am very sorry to see happen in this country.)