Is it advisable to bring my Ack dAck on a flight?

mcrespo71 · « **on:** 22 Oct 2004, 02:24 am »

I need to get my Ack dAck back to MN for Thanksgiving weekend. I was thinking of packing it in it's box and putting in my carry on luggage. Has anyone else taken their D/A convertor on a plane flight? I don't want to bring out the "bomb squad" after it goes through X-Ray, but I'd feel safer hand carrying it then sending it UPS. Any suggestions/ideas?

Michael

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 02:52 am »

you're likely to have it taken away by the brown-shirt-brigade of so-called-security-guards.

I would declare it and have some way of proving what it does or they won't let you get on the plane with it.

It's not mainstream electronics and therefore totally unrecognizable to the super troopers at the gates.

They take my nail clippers each and every time I get on the plane...oh wait, they make me take my pants off every time...or is it my shoes...cuz I have bombs in there...damn false sense of security.

orthobiz · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 02:55 am »

I predict they will Xray it and you will be OK. I have absolutely no data or experience to base this on. If it's not a bomb then it should be OK!

Am I too trusting?

biz

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 03:19 am »

Security guards tried to take away my HP Graphing calculator because they weren't "sure" what it was exactly. That tells you the level of education they didn't achieve before their big jump into airline security.

I would be very worried about the dack! if I were you. The security at airports is very tight and anything they don't recognize, isn't likely to get past.

You think they'll know what an ack! dack! is?

They'll look at you like you're nutz...and when you try to explain to them that it is a Digital-to-analog converter, they're going to lock you up til the FBI gets there.

security: "Sir...what is this device doing in your carry-on?"

you: "That's part of my stereo?"

security: "...ahem...and what part of your stereo would that be?"

you: "It's my DAC that connects to my transport and converts the digital signal to analog."

security: "...whoa! whoa! whoa! TRANSPORT?! What are you trying to transport through here? A bomb detonator? What is that!?"

you: "Well, I'm an audiophile, and I have a seperate CD Transport that plays CD's but it doesn't really play them, it just reads them,"

security: "OKAY SIR, I don't know what that dacky thing is or what kind of whateverphile you are BUT I DON'T LIKE IT. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME WITH ME. RIGHT THIS WAY."

You're probably safer sending it UPS and packing it very well. It's not really that fragile and UPS won't steal it from you either.

nathanm · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 03:41 am »

Don't say, "Ain't you never seen the Ack Dack man? It's da BOMB!"

Does it occur to anyone that it's probably easier to kill somebody with your hands than with a nail clippers? About the only thing that'll fit between the sharp bits on a nail clipper is, uh...nails.

HChi · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 04:47 am »

I carried a couple devices back LA home from DC a couple times. I personally find packing the device well and have a cople sheet of bubble wrap around worked out fine. In addition, your soft clothes can serve as extra cusion if the box is strategically placed right in inside the luggage. Since you have alreday paid for the flight(/frieght), you may as well maximize its usage

. Just my two cents!

drphoto · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 04:49 am »

I'd say....pack it carefully and ship it. I uses to have huge problems getting my pro camera stuff (Hasselblad and Sinar 4x5) through airport security...and that was pre 9/11. I can't blame them. That stuff doesn't look like a camera to your average person. I mean my Hassy 250mm lens looks like a mortar shell or pipe bomb unless you know what it is.

I ship everything to the job now. I know there's a lot of beefs w/ shippers here, but I've not had any problems. I think you have to expect the worst and pack accordingly.

bubba966 · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 05:12 am »

Quote from: mcrespo71

I don't want to bring out the "bomb squad" after it goes through X-Ray, but I'd feel safer hand carrying it then sending it UPS. Any suggestions/ideas?

Pack it well and send it FedEx Express Saver (2-3 day). Haven't had any problems using FedEx Express Saver on things that were packed at least halfway decent. Only problem being something that was packed very, very poorly like it was an attempt to hide damage that was incurred before shipping.

I wouldn't let UPS touch anything if you don't absolutely have to...

doug s. · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 12:28 pm »

michael, please pack it in yer carry-on luggage & try to get it on board - i, for one, want a report of yer experience!

seriously, i'd expect them to delay you, but eventually let you on.

doug s.

ctviggen · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 01:04 pm »

I think that the orginal box is pretty well done, so if you could ship it via a carrier you trusted (even US Mail or FedEx), I think it would arrive safely. I'd rather ship it than take it through security, as you never know what would happen. The only thing about shipping is that you want insurance and you want someone to sign for it. The latter could be a problem (I had to drive to the FedEx facility to pick up my Ack Dack).

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 07:58 pm »

OK, given everyone's experiences with airport security, there is no way I am going to bring the dac as a carry on. I've carried on my gamecube videogame system, but it's very obvious what type of electronic device that is. I guess I'll be shipping it. Thanks.

Michael