----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 12:19
PM
Subject: a simple airline security report
and my humble travel strategy.
I saw that there was a concern here from Erdem and others about
upcoming changes in security, and i read Zoe's response as well. Since I
traveled just yesterday, I thought I'd chime in with my view of the 'changes',
and my plan going forward, which hasn't changed a bit (yet), but has served me
well for a number of years.
Here's a report on my trip yesterday: No changes whatsoever, not
even so much as a patdown. I don't think that the basics are going
change all that much at security. Really, with the advent of Richard Reid, the
shoe bomber, we had to go shoeless through security, that's pretty much it.
Now, with the advent of the underwear bomber, we'll probably have to go
pantsless or underwearless through security. This does not affect
laptops and gear. No matter how many wires are in my carry on, I just don't
get hassled for some reason, unless for a quick swab of the interface or
laptop. (once again, SO FAR)
Although my troublefree flight was domestic and not international, I
thought it might be interesting to share with you all how I travel since I do
it often and haven't had one speck of trouble (knock on wood) for many years.
Unlike Zoe, my instrument is not big enough to be in question, and I now
carry no rack hardware at all but have it rented on the gig if necessary.
It's just three pieces I travel with. My violin, a rolling camera
bag, and a rolling soft bag.
It seems to me that three pieces is pretty much the equation for an
instrumentalist who isn't carrying a rack. I usually go out for at least
a week at a time, so I need to have a bag which doubles as a clothes carrier
and gear carrier, rather than a rack which I'm trying to stuff clothes
in.
I long ago bought the smallest case possible for my violin, and it's
light but rugged, always fits up top, never a problem, in 25 yrs, never been
asked to check it. Well, once, but that was in Europe, and a little
finesse in conversation got me on without a problem. I carry my laptop,
Nikon and lenses, audio interface, cables and wires in a camera bag which
rolls or is a backpack. (Tenba, I'd make a different choice next time
just cuz of the wheel base)
Whenever I hit a small plane where things won't fit, I just take my
laptop out of the bag and gate check it, I have yet to find an overhead which
doesn't fit my fiddle easily, and yes, I'd take another flight rather than
check it, but fight like hell to stay on the one I got. Flight attendants in
my my humble experience have done everything to be helpful, even standing it
up in the closet sometimes when it got crowded.
And my FCB1010 and Monome or Launchpad or whatever, and my Laptop Stand
goes underneath in a soft but huge all purpose bag from
ebags.com, called the Motherlode, surrounded with
clothing as padding.
Through extensive travel over the past 4 years, this has served me well.
Before that i was carrying my FCB1010, wireless ears and audio interface
in a Pelikan rifle case. Anyone need one of those, lol? That was when
there was not a charge for taking two bags...
For what it's worth, I hope it's helpful. I do know that Erdem is a
hardware guy and I believe he packs in a combination of Pelikan and suitcases,
right, Erdem? Costs a lot for the extra bags, but Erdem I don't think
anyone will bother you with the stuff underneath the plane, no matter how much
hardware it is.
I wish you all great holidays, a sparkling and prosperous New Year, both
artistically and personally, and always look forward to the edification I get
from the posts on the list!
Cheers,