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will the TSA pay attention to my note?

#81
joebar said:
my brother was in the middle of soundproofing his bedroom so he could play drums.
because he covered the window, he felt it looked like a grow-op. so he put a sign in the window that read "soundproofed music room" to throw off potential thieves and cops.
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I had a buddy that had a, uh, soundproofed room like that - he got some stick-on stained glass decals from the craft store, hooked up a few LEDs from Christmas Lights, a daytime-on timer and backed with a large piece of light grey felt. Makes it look like a decorator project from outside for $20.
 
#84
Jah Wobble Fan said:
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The purpose of the TSA isn't to catch terrorists. It exists a) to try to deter terrorists from trying to harm a plane, b) to make the flying public feel like they are doing something to make flying safer (whether it actually works or not), and c) to make the electorate think the US Congress is doing something about terrorism.

There is a lot of variability in airport security personnel. Nearly all whom I have encountered have been courteous, friendly, and fairly efficient. My daughter, however, encountered a female agent in London a couple of days ago who let a little bit of authority go to her head. My daughter had a properly contained bottle of special honey in her carry-on that cost her over $50. The label on the bottle said it contained 102ml, so into the trash it went and my daughter got a "severe talking to", and as a result of the ensuing delay she missed her connection to the US. Yes, I know, 100ml max is the rule, but most reasonable folks wouldn't have made an issue of it or held up the line in order to browbeat a passenger about it.
 
#85
If you plan to store your instrument in an overhead bin, you'd better get on the plane early. That space is first come first served, and a bass or guitar takes up as much linear space as two or three rollon bags.
 
#86
Hi there. I haven't had the experience to travel with a bass... but as a Buenos Aires resident, I absolutely would not trust the "luggage handlers" at Buenos Aires airport. However, I do recall a friend of mine bringing a Fender Strat years ago. They forced him to dispatch it, but it arrived safely. No issues at all.

First of all, it's a great thing you're not coming straight from Miami. Many locals take trips to Miami to buy fancy / techie stuff. Therefore, the flights coming straight from there are way more tempting for greedy employees.
For the same reason, it's great that you are not a local (at least that's what I understood).
Use whatever insurance possibility the airline offers you. I think you can even dispatch the bass as cargo. I don't think they would mess with cargo.
There's even that plastic film thing that covers the whole package. Don't know the name, but they offer it right at the airport halls. There's insurance associated with that, so they may stay away from it.

Would they read the note? I have no idea, but I suggest writing it both in english and spanish. I can help you with a translation.
Of course, if you can get away with taking it with you on the cabin... that will always feel better.
 
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#87
ggunn said:
The purpose of the TSA isn't to catch terrorists. It exists a) to try to deter terrorists from trying to harm a plane, b) to make the flying public feel like they are doing something to make flying safer (whether it actually works or not), and c) to make the electorate think the US Congress is doing something about terrorism.
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Thank you for correcting me, Fellow Citizen. It is important that we correct one another on occasions when one of us becomes confused and speaks against The Will of The State. In that spirit, I am happy that the great men and women of TSA offered a much needed correction and instruction to your daughter, who seems a little -- exuberant. Or does she think the rules don't apply to her?
 
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#88
ggunn said:
The purpose of the TSA isn't to catch terrorists. It exists a) to try to deter terrorists from trying to harm a plane, b) to make the flying public feel like they are doing something to make flying safer (whether it actually works or not), and c) to make the electorate think the US Congress is doing something about terrorism.

There is a lot of variability in airport security personnel. Nearly all whom I have encountered have been courteous, friendly, and fairly efficient. My daughter, however, encountered a female agent in London a couple of days ago who let a little bit of authority go to her head. My daughter had a properly contained bottle of special honey in her carry-on that cost her over $50. The label on the bottle said it contained 102ml, so into the trash it went and my daughter got a "severe talking to", and as a result of the ensuing delay she missed her connection to the US. Yes, I know, 100ml max is the rule, but most reasonable folks wouldn't have made an issue of it or held up the line in order to browbeat a passenger about it.
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LOL!
 
#89
Jah Wobble Fan said:
Thank you for correcting me, Fellow Citizen. It is important that we correct one another on occasions when one of us becomes confused and speaks against The Will of The State. In that spirit, I am happy that the great men and women of TSA offered a much needed correction and instruction to your daughter, who seems a little -- exuberant. Or does she think the rules don't apply to her?
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I haven't a clue as to what you are trying to say to me, so I will let it pass.
 
#91
Well, In the end everything turned out flawlessly. I had the case packed inside a box filled with cushion pop corn and air bubles. The TSA inspected the box and NOT the case!. So the case flew with unlocked but closed latches, with a TSA approved luggage strap lock wrapped around the case through the case's handle so it won't come off and won't let the case open. I also wrapped the bongo with air bubbles for extra protection.
Everything arrived undamaged. Even the box had no damage. I think I had tons of luck. :D

IMG_1255.JPG
 
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#92
Translation for that note:

Dear TSA Agent,

Please call your good buddy down in baggage handling and let him know that there's an incredibly valuable bass on the way down to him and he's welcome to take it to the nearest pawn shop for weed money.

Thanks a lot.
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