Klarinet Archive - Posting 000964.txt from 2002/11

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Post 911 Travel with Instruments
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2002 18:09:05 -0500

on 11/19/2002 12:10 PM, Karona Poindexter wrote:

>It seems like the exception and not the rule. I travelled to Florida
>this past summer and not one person asked me to open my clarinet bag.
>However, things like screw drivers and anything with a battery in it
>like tuners and metronome I kept in my checked bags.
>
I always announce my clarinets, and tell the screeners that I will be
happy to open the case and show them anything they want to see. I usually
have no trouble at all, only vague curiosity from the X-ray folks.

I don't carry my reed knife in the case, since I'm not usually going
anywhere for a long enough time to need it. Sandpaper works well to
adjust a reed in a pinch.

>Sometimes they may go by appearance. My clarinet was a floral bag and
>I was also dressed in heals and a somewhat frilly outfit. Not sure if
>all of this makes a difference.

I always wear a suit and tie to travel, because even before 9/11/2001, I
noticed that it got me more courteous treatment. However, on a recent
trip home from Burlington VT, I arrived early per airline instructions,
and found no line whatever - just a couple of really bored screeners. So
I got the "full treatment" apparently because they had nothing else to do!

David

David Niethamer
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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