Topic: Freaking TSA removed my BMW shocks from my luggage

[dave500]

once they find out its not a bomb cant it just be posted to you even if you pay?

[TwoTired]

Hey Two Tired,
Why are you pissing on me? I didn't try to sneak anything on the airline, and I don't think I have subversive tendencies (anymore). Perhaps a stupid oversight, but you might want to at least have met me before you characterize my motivations or behavior.

What?

Hey, there are two sides to every story.  From the inspector's point of view, you did try to sneak something on the flight which is on the banned list.  They can't tell what your intentions are.  But, including something on the banned list should raise suspicion.  Maybe you are part of a test group trying to see if they are doing their job correctly.  Don't you follow rules when your job is on the line?

I don't believe anyone has characterized your motivations, which the TSA can't predict.  But, the behavior is blatant from a security inspector's viewpoint.
OK, you made a stupid oversight.  It happens.  Probably why they aren't pursuing you more aggressively.  It is still a violation and required the action that was taken, if they are to do their jobs as instructed.  I don't know about recovery of items.  But, they could just throw it away or destroy if that is SOP.

Do I like what happened?  No.  Do you have a right to be upset at adherence to known and published procedures?  Not according to current law/policy.  I'd be annoyed, too.  But, in today's society run by lawyers, and government agencies which are unchecked in their demands and power, you can expect more restrictions to come...for your safety, of course.

Didn't someone tell you that ignorance of the law is no excuse?  Handy isn't it?

I hope you get your shocks back.  And, thank you for the heads up on the incident.  But, if the fine print says you must donate your left testicle to fly on the airline. Why get militant when you arrive "lacking" at your destination?

I'd like to think there was a valid reason for the rules about flying today.  But, it seems the most prominent reason is "because they can", to which, you fully condescend to when you go flying.

By the way.  Did you pay an import duty on those shocks?  Or, was there an attempt to smuggle them in past customs?  (Takes off inquisitor hat).     jk

I hope things work out in your favor.

Cheers,

[mick750F]

   Oy vey...which is it Llyod?

  I don't believe anyone has characterized your motivations, which the TSA can't predict. 

  In reality, they actually did "our SOHC4 brother" a favor as he tried to sneak something banned past the security check.

   Hope you get your shocks back Ben...you dumbass. 

Mike

[TwoTired]

Okay, I'll go back and edit my posts for the thin skinned.  I was just trying to balance the hating side with a viewpoint from the other side.

[TwoTired]

Ben...you dumbass.
Mike

See, Mike is the one pissing on you, Ben.  You gonna take that without complaint?

[azuredesign]

  Oy vey...which is it Llyod?

 I don't believe anyone has characterized your motivations, which the TSA can't predict.

 In reality, they actually did "our SOHC4 brother" a favor as he tried to sneak something banned past the security check.

Hey Two Tired,
Why are you pissing on me? I didn't try to sneak anything on the airline, and I don't think I have subversive tendencies. Perhaps a stupid oversight, but you might want to at least have met me before you characterize my motivations or behavior. I'm glad for you that you're so well informed concerning what is possible to transport on an aircraft, and frankly I don't give a rat's ass if you fly again or not. My point was that other folks in this group who might make a similar error, know that it's no longer possible to do so, and are not surprised to find their bag a mess, and items missing that had some importance and cost. Sorry if I'm repeating info that was already familiar to you, but I made a mistake and it's done with.

   Hope you get your shocks back Ben...you dumbass.  

Mike

Thanks Mike for the accurate assessment from someone who knows me. I was waiting for you to post the ad for 2 slightly used BMW shocks for sale, you dog.

[azuredesign]

once they find out its not a bomb cant it just be posted to you even if you pay?

AIr France was kind enough to call me this morning and said that while the shocks are in Boston, they can't be sent over to France. I can pick them up when I return to Boston. My choices will be whether to spend over 1000 euros for new shocks in France, try to send the ones that were removed for perhaps $150., or try to find some slightly used shocks her(I've looked not easy). I guess I will invest the money for shipping if I can find a carrier to take them. Any other constructive suggestions gratefully accepted.

[dave500]

maybe a forum member might buy them from you in boston?man ,i had a twenty litre drum of engine oil on a plane from melbourne to townsville,,that was the mid 90s though.

[azuredesign]

Thanks Dave,
Yep times have changed. Funny thing is, if I were to ship a complete motorcycle or a car for that matter, the shocks wouldn't be an issue. There must be a way to do this. I'm going to speak with AF again and ask what can be done.

[dave500]

would a complete bike go by air?,i guess race teams do it?special clearance,imagine the stuff they need to transport?

[azuredesign]

I believe you have to use a licensed freight expediter. Bikes are drained of gas and perhaps oil, strapped to pallets and shipped by air.

[MRieck]

So Ben...they removed your shocks but left the landing gear on the plane?

[azuredesign]

No Mike, They removed the landing gear too. Bit rough on the Paris end, but with Slim Pickens doing the flying it was no problem.
XO,
General Jack D. Ripper

[mick750F]

Thanks Mike for the accurate assessment from someone who knows me. I was waiting for you to post the ad for 2 slightly used BMW shocks for sale, you dog.

   Well, now that I know where they are in Boston you may end seeing them for sale yet. Do you know if the USPS would take them for shipping? It certainly wouldn't cost $150 if they do. Have you looked on ebay UK? Might be an option for some used ones. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you over here.

Mike

[mick750F]

  It would seem from reading this ...https://stamps.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/179/~/usps-content-restrictions... there MIGHT be a chance that they'd accept shocks.

Mike

[ttr400]

I ship stuff worldwide all the time, from complete bikes to engines etc. when shipping a bike, lets give it the correct term, airfreighting a bike, this is classed as hazardous goods and go's through extra checks before being sent through customs. mainly on the packaging. pretty normal and nothing out of the ordinary.
I used to import Ohlins shocks from Sweden....all sent by Airfreight.

Kevin

[azuredesign]

 It would seem from reading this ...https://stamps.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/179/~/usps-content-restrictions... there MIGHT be a chance that they'd accept shocks.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I really appreciate your research efforts. I haven't check the brit ebay, but have checked ebay.fr as well as the French craigslist, leboncoin.fr, the shocks for this bike are specific for just this model(r1100rs) I was able to get this pair with short mileage on them after a lot of searching in the US.

[azuredesign]

I ship stuff worldwide all the time, from complete bikes to engines etc. when shipping a bike, lets give it the correct term, airfreighting a bike, this is classed as hazardous goods and go's through extra checks before being sent through customs. mainly on the packaging. pretty normal and nothing out of the ordinary.
I used to import Ohlins shocks from Sweden....all sent by Airfreight.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin, that's heartening to know. The U.S. government is initiating many of these restrictions as well as some new international banking restrictions, that I learned about today, both I think geared towards reducing terrorism. It seems like many countries including France are making reciprocal restrictions in response. I'm thinking that if I can get these shocks back, I'll find a commercial shipper like UPS or Fed Ex and see if they'll take them. If that doesn't work, do you have any other suggestions?

[ttr400]

I would not see any problems shipping the with UPS or FedEx, just tell them exactly what they are etc. only problem I have encountered is the cost. but there is a cheaper way to courier them.
Most international shippers have a courier service for smaller shipments, as if it's too small they wont send it as airfreight. you will find their rates far less than UPS, FedEx etc.

For example my shipper (Toll international) uses UPS to courier shipments, the cost is half what it would be if I went direct to UPS. weather a package is sent airfreight or courier it all goes on the same plane.

I used to sell BST carbon wheels and send them via my shipper as courier door to door. the max I could send was 2 sets of wheels with courier, otherwise it went via airfreight to there agent at the airport. as door to door via airfreight is nearly as much as courier costs.

My buddy just imported from Holland 3 ex Japan endurance racing works RC30's. he had them stripped down (that was not a good idea) cost him around $4000 to airfreight them. they still had the oil in the motors and fuel fumes in the tanks.

Hope this helps

Kevin

[azuredesign]

Thank you Kevin!
While it's still a bit unclear that I will get the shocks back, I will get a direct price first, the locate a shipper and see what makes the most sense.
All best to you!
Ben

[azuredesign]

Just thought I would share this with you. I got back to Boston last eve, and went to the Air France kiosk as directed. When I introduced myself to the female representative who greeted me, I told her that I had had some items removed from my baggage by the TSA 2 weeks ago as I was traveling to France. Her response was " Oh, you're here to pick up the dentures?"
I was able to get the shocks back and will post if I find a solution for getting them overseas.

[bwaller]

Well after all is said & done, at least you now have them back in your hands. Too bad for all your trouble Ben.

[mick750F]

   What?!?! They're pulling dentures out of peoples luggage?!?! Where does the insanity end?

   Glad you have a happy ending Ben. I guess you're lucky nobody with access to them needed a little extra spending $$. Hey! Stop lookin' at ME!

See ya beer night, Mike 

[azuredesign]

Thanks guys! Mike, stop looking at you! Andy's going to be looking at me crosseyed since I have this
Morgan synch tool that probably closely resembles the one he lent out, and then forgot who he lent it to. I guess the tell is going to be if your beer glass is empty quicker than you think it shouldabeen!
See you Thursday!

[mick750F]

   I see trouble in your future Ben. You've caused a thrifty man to spend some money, money he'd already spent. He probably lost a few moths out of his wallet too when he opened it up to pay... Ooops, I think I'm seeing trouble in my future as well.

Mike