New telephoto lens
Jul 24, 2013 15:00:51 #
Yesterday the brown truck left a Pentax SMC 55-300 AF K-mount lens on my front porch. This is a replacement for a Pentax SMC 50-200 AF K-mount lens that was stolen by a TSA security screener. As my bag and its contents he asked if it was an auto-focus lens. I said yes, it was a Pentax K-mount one. I had a bunch of gear to put back in my bag after TSA rummaged through it. When I got to Alaska I no longer had the lens. On the flight up there no one else touched my bag. On returning home I went to our local airport and checked in lost and found. Lens was not there. I went to the TSA office there and filed a complaint but I couldn't pick out the person from their employee photo file. 12 days had elapsed since the lens was taken so with no suspect photo I am just out of luck getting it back.
Jul 24, 2013 16:25:42 #
retlaw
Loc: Northern New Jersey
Richard Baysinger wrote:
Yesterday the brown truck left a Pentax SMC 55-300... (show quote)
Sorry to hear this but thanks for the heads-up. One has to be extra vigilant when traveling. Was it a dedicated camera bag?
In any case, enjoy your new lens.
Jul 24, 2013 16:34:50 #
jdubu
Loc: San Jose, CA
I suppose that means If one is ever again in a similar situation, handle the gear yourself. Lay it out in a logical neat order so if anything is missing, you will notice the empty spot?
Brazen thieves are everywhere. Sorry that happened to you.
Brazen thieves are everywhere. Sorry that happened to you.
Jul 24, 2013 20:21:17 #
I use a small backpack for my camera gear; I put everything in a tray and several agents took things out of the tray and were looking at them. One agent was treating my Celestron C-90 spotting scope as if it was a dangerous item. I put an eye piece in it and then they could see that it was a working item. Other people were backing up behind me and an agent put all my things off to the side. I was quickly getting my thing out of the open trays back into my bag and when I got to Alaska my lens was gone.
I had to travel 2500 miles across the Alcan highway without my lens.
I had to travel 2500 miles across the Alcan highway without my lens.
Jul 24, 2013 20:23:39 #
Jul 25, 2013 05:49:03 #
retlaw
Loc: Northern New Jersey
Richard Baysinger wrote:
I use a small backpack for my camera gear; I put e... (show quote)
Seems like they distracted you so they could do their thing. Where is the oversight on these people????? I wonder if there was a security camera in the areea.
Jul 25, 2013 07:43:28 #
retlaw wrote:
Seems like they distracted you so they could do their thing. Where is the oversight on these people????? I wonder if there was a security camera in the areea.
First, You can bet that there was a video camera present. Second, they will have a record of exactly who was working that station. Third, send a letter to both your congressman and senator explaining what happened and TSAs poor response. Also find out which Inspector general oversees TSA and file a complaint with them.
Jul 25, 2013 07:57:28 #
Of course you couldn't pick out who it was and they knew it. How many people can remember who checked them through security ten minutes later let alone days or weeks later. TSA has become like any other federal agency, arrogant and more concerned with their own selfish needs than with serving the public. God help us if obamacare ever gets off the ground
Jul 25, 2013 13:11:59 #
charles brown wrote:
Of course you couldn't pick out who it was and they knew it. How many people can remember who checked them through security ten minutes later let alone days or weeks later. TSA has become like any other federal agency, arrogant and more concerned with their own selfish needs than with serving the public. God help us if obamacare ever gets off the ground
photography forum here, not politics, take that to general chit chat.
Jul 25, 2013 13:54:48 #
jdubu
Loc: San Jose, CA
Forrestloop wrote:
photography forum here, not politics, take that to general chit chat.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Jul 25, 2013 20:10:52 #
CajunLou
Loc: SW Louisiana
My experience with such an incident started with my son-in-law flying from Shanon Ireland to Houston, checked in his camera case, an aluminum Haliburton Case with his Nikon and assorted lenses. Never made it to Houston. Carrier paid, but what a hassle. I travel quite a lot, all equip. is carry on. Just returned from Rome, etc. with Canon 5DMk2 and assorted white lenses, and my new toy SX50. I make it a practice to type an inventory sheet, bolt print, of all my equip. including model no. One goes in the carry on bag, which fits under seat. A second with my passport. I open the bag, show the inventory sheet to the security person, and show him my copy. The moment the bag exists the scanner, I check all contents with the TSA watching. Never had any problem, they see that everything is being inventoried after processing, right on the belt.
Jul 25, 2013 20:15:24 #
Richard Baysinger wrote:
Yesterday the brown truck left a Pentax SMC 55-300... (show quote)
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but your replacement lens is supposed to be one of Pentax's best.
Jul 25, 2013 20:15:25 #
from my experience TSA people all look alike, Chubby, Ill fitting uniforms, breath smells like smoke or bourbon, and have the 1000 yard stare.
Sorry to hear of your loss, I hope 1 your gear was insured. 2 the bastid gets fired ( or at least dry heaves and explosive diarrahea)
Sorry to hear of your loss, I hope 1 your gear was insured. 2 the bastid gets fired ( or at least dry heaves and explosive diarrahea)
Jul 25, 2013 23:30:25 #
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I was talking to my insurance agent and she told me I could add a policy to cover my camera gear for almost anything, including dropping it, losing, theft by a TSA agent or even falling overboard. The price seemed very reasonable @ $110.00 annually for $13,000 worth of equipment with no deductable. I'm now in the process of verifying my inventory and serial numbers, and by this time next week, I'll be fully insured.
Jul 25, 2013 23:34:03 #
CajunLou wrote:
My experience with such an incident started with m... (show quote)
Excellent idea - I have yet to travel by air with a lot of gear but when I do I will follow this example, especially after reading the OP's post - thanks for sharing, both of you
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.