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Buy a starter pistol, you know the kind that they use at tracks. This is still considered a valid weapon for airport screeners so this "tip" applies only to no

Buy a starter pistol, you know the kind that they use at tracks. This is still considered a valid weapon for airport screeners so this "tip" applies only to non-carry on luggage. Put the pistol into your luggage and declare it before depositing it with the airline. It won't be lost, tampered with or diverted, ever. The reason is simple. They have to treat luggage with firearms different from normal luggage. It goes into its own area and is placed in special locked compartments. There's a high level of security involved to protect passengers which ultimately aids you.

phrotoma 16y ago
As I understand it using this trick means the TSA cannot open your luggage without your presence, so keep an ear open for your name on the PA.
- evilduck 16y ago
  Sounds like another incentive to do this. No more random snooping/lost items.
hugh3 16y ago
How does that work out in terms of the amount of time you have to spend vs the probability of having your luggage lost? Also, don't you think it's a bit unethical? Applying the "what if everyone did this?" rule it seems to come across pretty badly.
- MichaelSalib 16y ago
  I know people who do serious mods for classic arcade games. Serious mods as in: build custom PCBs for the three FPGAs needed to make an Atari 2600 generate VGA output. Those systems look like bombs: they're old machines bristling with wires and test equipment. Transporting them to arcade game conventions is a massive pain. You can't check them because you can't trust the airline/TSA not to destroy them. And you can't carry them on board because there is literally no way to convince TSA inspectors that you're not carrying a bomb. This seems like a very good solution. I mean, for some of these people, the choice may come down to the starter pistol idea or just not flying to conventions. Seems like a real win to me. I'm not really seeing how it is unethical. The TSA decided on the security procedures. It might be slightly inefficient, but given the massive inefficiency of the entire airport security policy, I can't imagine complaining about this. There is no reason that people with delicate electronics should be forbidden from flying on airplanes. No reason at all.
joshu 16y ago
Have you actually done this?

phrotoma 16y ago

As I understand it using this trick means the TSA cannot open your luggage without your presence, so keep an ear open for your name on the PA.

evilduck 16y ago
Sounds like another incentive to do this. No more random snooping/lost items.

hugh3 16y ago

How does that work out in terms of the amount of time you have to spend vs the probability of having your luggage lost? Also, don't you think it's a bit unethical? Applying the "what if everyone did this?" rule it seems to come across pretty badly.

MichaelSalib 16y ago
I know people who do serious mods for classic arcade games. Serious mods as in: build custom PCBs for the three FPGAs needed to make an Atari 2600 generate VGA output. Those systems look like bombs: they're old machines bristling with wires and test equipment. Transporting them to arcade game conventions is a massive pain. You can't check them because you can't trust the airline/TSA not to destroy them. And you can't carry them on board because there is literally no way to convince TSA inspectors that you're not carrying a bomb. This seems like a very good solution. I mean, for some of these people, the choice may come down to the starter pistol idea or just not flying to conventions. Seems like a real win to me. I'm not really seeing how it is unethical. The TSA decided on the security procedures. It might be slightly inefficient, but given the massive inefficiency of the entire airport security policy, I can't imagine complaining about this. There is no reason that people with delicate electronics should be forbidden from flying on airplanes. No reason at all.

joshu 16y ago

Have you actually done this?