On Fri, 10 Jun 2005, Dan Williams wrote:
   For all of our
critical space-flight hardware (power supplies, plasma
 instruments, etc.), we put them in well-padded containers and carry
 them onboard. We draft letters to airport security (and carry
 duplicates thereof) quoting the NASA contract number and giving
 contact phone numbers at the SwRI office. In many cases, neither
 X-rays nor opening the contamination bag is a good idea. With the
 appropriate groundwork, we have not had any problems (knock on wood)
 so far.
 So it is *possible* to carry electronics on planes, under some circumstances.
 The clever instrument teams make sure their containers don't fit in
 coach seats, so they have no choice but to go First Class. :-)
 --
                                         - Mark
                         210-522-6025, temporary cell 240-375-2995
 
 That makes it much easier all Sellam has to do is find a Domesday
 system, convince them to ship it. Then get a Nasa contract number to
 make sure it gets there.
  It might be easier to build his own ;) 
 
I've brought lots of crap on the plane with me since 2001.  I posted about
my experience of bringing back an old Robotron system from VCF Europa in
the spring of 2002 (had to open the box next to the tarmac to ease jittery
security).
I haven't had really any problems at all in the past couple years
(myseriously, really, as you'd think I'd get more scrutiny).  I don't get
singled out anymore and I've brought somewhat exotic stuff with lots of
scary jumbles of wires and electronics onto the plane with me several
times in the past couple of years.
I don't know whether that's good or bad though.
Anyway, fuck the DHS and fuck the TSA (those stealing bastards).
--
Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer Festival
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