TSA and Pelican case latches

Matty · External Since: Nov 01, 2009 Posts: 1

Every time I travel, my Pelican 1610 cases arrives at the destination
with at least one, and usually two of the four latches open. I don't
trust TSA, so I carry the big ticket items on with me -- mics, mixer,
radios, recorder. (It's a doc kit, so the load is manageable.) I put
the stuff I can afford to replace if I have to -- boompole, zeppelins,
chargers, headphones -- in the checked case.

Last week, my case arrived at SFO with 3 of the 4 latches open and my
headphone cable dangling out the opening. Fortunately nothing fell
out.

I'm fed up with the cretins that work for TSA. I mean how much
intelligence does it take to close the damn latches? I'm considering
putting decals on the case with arrows to each latch. Don't know if it
will make a bit of difference though.

Is my recurring experience the exception or the rule? I'd like some
input from the community about what it takes to keep checked gear more
secure.

Thanks,
Matty

No_MOS · External Since: Nov 01, 2009 Posts: 1

On Nov 2, 12:07 am, Matty <docso....RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote:
> Every time I travel, my Pelican 1610 cases arrives at the destination
> with at least one, and usually two of the four latches open. I don't
> trust TSA, so I carry the big ticket items on with me -- mics, mixer,
> radios, recorder. (It's a doc kit, so the load is manageable.) I put
> the stuff I can afford to replace if I have to -- boompole, zeppelins,
> chargers, headphones -- in the checked case.
>
> Last week, my case arrived at SFO with 3 of the 4 latches open and my
> headphone cable dangling out the opening. Fortunately nothing fell
> out.
>
> I'm fed up with the cretins that work for TSA. I mean how much
> intelligence does it take to close the damn latches? I'm considering
> putting decals on the case with arrows to each latch. Don't know if it
> will make a bit of difference though.
>
> Is my recurring experience the exception or the rule? I'd like some
> input from the community about what it takes to keep checked gear more
> secure.
>
> Thanks,
> Matty

Are you using TSA locks? I lock every case that I check, and in my
experience they probably get inspected only 1 out of 20 times. My big
complaint is that for some odd reason they always seem to throw the
cases on the luggage carousel upside down. What's up with that.......
No pun intended.

I once put a large laminated sign inside my cases pleading with them
to put the equipment back where it came from, but that just seemed to
make things worse, so now I just lock 'em up and count on human nature
to take it's course, basically TSA personal are lazy so my cases
rarely get checked now.

Ken Dabek
West End Recording

rraudio · External Since: Apr 21, 2007 Posts: 20

When the lid and case O-rings are present they latch tightly, even on
all the old pelicans I've seen and used, if the rings are missing,
they CAN unlatch very easy.

Paul Graff · External Since: May 17, 2007 Posts: 7

On Nov 1, 10:07 pm, Matty <docso....DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:
> Every time I travel, my Pelican 1610 cases arrives at the destination
> with at least one, and usually two of the four latches open. I don't
> trust TSA, so I carry the big ticket items on with me -- mics, mixer,
> radios, recorder. (It's a doc kit, so the load is manageable.) I put
> the stuff I can afford to replace if I have to -- boompole, zeppelins,
> chargers, headphones -- in the checked case.
>
> Last week, my case arrived at SFO with 3 of the 4 latches open and my
> headphone cable dangling out the opening. Fortunately nothing fell
> out.
>
> I'm fed up with the cretins that work for TSA. I mean how much
> intelligence does it take to close the damn latches? I'm considering
> putting decals on the case with arrows to each latch. Don't know if it
> will make a bit of difference though.
>
> Is my recurring experience the exception or the rule? I'd like some
> input from the community about what it takes to keep checked gear more
> secure.
>
> Thanks,
> Matty

Ditch the Pelicans for Stormcase, imo. You will never miss the
Pelican cases. Stormcase latches
are effortless to open when you want to open them and will never open
on their own. Way better cases.
Pelican latches are a dealbreaker for me. Miserable design.

Paul

John E. Perkin · External Since: Nov 02, 2009 Posts: 8

I believe the cheap firearm idea is well worth it.

If you can't be bothered with the hassle then maybe your not caring
enough about your equipment.

John E. Perkin · External Since: Nov 02, 2009 Posts: 8

I believe the cheap firearm idea is well worth it.

If you can't be bothered with the hassle of going through with it then
having the contents trashed can't be too much of an inconvenience to
you.

- John
www.bluecowcables.com

John E. Perkin · External Since: Nov 02, 2009 Posts: 8

but still, buy a cheap Gun. Smile

John E. Perkin · External Since: Nov 02, 2009 Posts: 8

but still, buy a cheap Gun. Smile

- John
www.bluecowcables.com

Whitney Ince · External Since: Apr 23, 2007 Posts: 18

On Nov 2, 6:46 pm, "John E. Perkin" <john.e.per... RemoveThis @googlemail.com>
wrote:
> but still, buy a cheap Gun. Smile

>
> - Johnwww.bluecowcables.com

I ship everything UPS or FEDEX now best way to go. It is always
waiting at my hotel for me. I always pre-print return tags so when I
am ready to return home I just put on the return tags and call for a
pick up or drop cases off on way to airport.

freeheel · External Since: May 16, 2007 Posts: 7

Last month my pelican arrived with none of the latches done up and
only hanging together by the TSA approved pelilock, which had been
forced open, and then crushed back into the locked position.

I made a formal complaint at the baggage desk.

He said it had nothing to do with baggage handling.

I walked away shaking my head.

I keep all my gear in a duffel bag inside the pelican, cause this
happens every third trip and hopefully the boneheads can at least do
the zipper back up....

cheers,
Brent C

Soundhaspriority · External Since: Dec 06, 2006 Posts: 38

"freeheel" <freeheelingbc DeleteThis @yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:f6664bad-4e66-4300-ad86-10484190d279@k13g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
> Last month my pelican arrived with none of the latches done up and
> only hanging together by the TSA approved pelilock, which had been
> forced open, and then crushed back into the locked position.
>
> I made a formal complaint at the baggage desk.
>
> He said it had nothing to do with baggage handling.
>
> I walked away shaking my head.
>
>
> I keep all my gear in a duffel bag inside the pelican, cause this
> happens every third trip and hopefully the boneheads can at least do
> the zipper back up....
>
> cheers,
> Brent C
>
This is not just an equipment issue. Last year, on arrival at LAX, I
discovered that my checked duffle bag, which had no valuables, had an
unwelcome addition -- somebody else's soiled underwear. I took the bag over
to an agent for a discussion, which went in the usual, ludicrous direction,
ie., whose underwear was it... etc.

The flight originated at Philly, where, a few years ago, the USAIR baggage
operation was supposed to have serious problems, losing 1% of the bags PER
DAY. Actually, there was a theft ring, who were having trouble riffling the
bags and getting them loaded on time. It actually took the airline multiple
years to "solve" the problem, and from my experience, they never did.

Here's my explanation of how my bag could have an article added to it: The
thieves riffled the bags in a controlled area. They had to clean the place
up in a hurry, and the easiest way to do that was to simply stuff junk into
any and every bag.

So it amazes me anybody checks anything. You must have good insurance.

Bob Morein
(310) 237-6511

Mark O'Russa · External Since: Dec 29, 2006 Posts: 2

I have flown many times with my Pelican 1650 loaded full. It seems to
get checked by TSA everytime as the little TSA paper is in the top of
the box when I open it. Furthermore, the latches are always locked
when I pick it up. Maybe I'm just lucky? I usually fly Southwest and
Horizon/Alaska.

Mark O.

G. John Garrett, CAS · External Since: Nov 29, 2003 Posts: 19

I once flew on a small plane and they wouldn't let me carry my Deva/Pelican case
on, and made me check it at the gate. When I went to the cart to retrieve it on
arrival it was upside-down with both latches open. Nothing gone, thank god.
Beats hell out of me. All the Pelicans I check in cargo get tape on the latches,
and I've never had any of them come back open. Yet.

jg

Matty wrote:
> Every time I travel, my Pelican 1610 cases arrives at the destination
> with at least one, and usually two of the four latches open. I don't
> trust TSA, so I carry the big ticket items on with me -- mics, mixer,
> radios, recorder. (It's a doc kit, so the load is manageable.) I put
> the stuff I can afford to replace if I have to -- boompole, zeppelins,
> chargers, headphones -- in the checked case.
>
> Last week, my case arrived at SFO with 3 of the 4 latches open and my
> headphone cable dangling out the opening. Fortunately nothing fell
> out.
>
> I'm fed up with the cretins that work for TSA. I mean how much
> intelligence does it take to close the damn latches? I'm considering
> putting decals on the case with arrows to each latch. Don't know if it
> will make a bit of difference though.
>
> Is my recurring experience the exception or the rule? I'd like some
> input from the community about what it takes to keep checked gear more
> secure.
>
> Thanks,
> Matty