[CQ-Contest] Bencher Paddles & Customs/TSA

[Chris Hurlbut]

Well... it's not always a big deal.

I flew from Pullman, WA once out east to do a contest.  The security 
guys at the little Pullman airport are notoriously picky.  I had my 
W9WBL V22 in my carry on, and they checked it.  No big deal, easy.  Well 
they got all bent out of shape and didn't believe me.  They didn't allow 
it because it was "questionable" and it was heavy enough that it could 
be used as a weapon if I threw it.  My options were to either leave it 
there and have them throw it away, or have someone pick it up right now. 

I argued as long as I could, and they finally won.  Luckily I managed to 
find someone who was still in town that would pick it up for me at the 
airport. 

I think that was the last time I flew out of Pullman. 

Maybe I just look kind of shady? 

-Chris KL9A


Steve London wrote:
> I always take my Bencher paddle carry-on to prevent damage, and yes,
> security people always ask questions.  So what ?  They ask what it is.  I
> tell them it's for sending Morse Code. Sometimes they swab it.  Sometimes
> they don't. Then they let me go.  Never takes more than 2 or 3 minutes.
> What's the big deal ?
>
> On my recent trip to WRTC-2006 in Brasil, I took all cables, adapters,
> accessories, paddles, etc. in a single carry-on bag.  It was totally stuffed
> with bizarre looking stuff.  Except for DFW, getting through security never
> took more than 3 minutes.  DFW took about 10 minutes of swabbing.  No big
> deal.  I feel better that they actually are seriously checking funny-looking
> items.
>
> 73,
> Steve, N2IC
>
> On 8/15/06, Jimk8mr at aol.com <Jimk8mr at aol.com> wrote:
>   
>> The multiple reports of Bencher paddles being examined by customs and
>> security people is no surprise to me.  I had one attract the interest
>> of  customs
>> inspectors at the Toronto airport back in about 1980.
>>
>> However, if you are still lugging a Bencher around the world, I'd
>> recommend
>> you look into a K9LU Bulldog paddle.  I began using one for
>> mobile  contesting
>> a few years ago, to avoid the potential problems of a Bencher
>> flying  around
>> in case of an accident.  It is much smaller, lighter, and for use as  an
>> auxiliary way of sending CW where a computer does most of the work, it
>> does  just
>> fine.  It weighs a couple of ounces, and packs quite nicely into
>> a  generic
>> prescription drug container.  In that packaging it won't fool an  X-ray
>> machine
>> but would probably not attract attention of human screeners.
>>
>> I use the version with a magnetic base.  There is also one with a  suction
>> base. That may be somewhat larger, but is still far smaller and
>> lighter  than a
>> Bencher.
>>
>> I highly recommend the Bulldog paddle for traveling.
>>
>> 73  -  Jim  K8MR
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