From: mwmg~te.net (Scott Gold) Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 06:25:19 -0800 Subject: harps & x-rays at the airports
On Wed, 14 Jan 98 11:10:48 -0500, Samuel J. Gravina shared his experience at the airport in part of a message subjected: Re: The harmonica as a firearm!
> In the airport x-ray machine these look like small > arms parts. Yet in over six years of travel I have only been questioned on > this twice. And only once was I asked to prove that it was a harmonica by > blowing into it. > > Makes you feel safe doesn't it.
- --Sam, my experience is a bit different. having lived abroad for many years i log a few miles a year (in 1997, i had about 150,000 miles).
i am constantly stopped at the x-ray machine. (i know, looking like scotty jihad w/ that beard doesn't help matters), but i always expect my bag to be searched when i have a set of harps.
one or two won't set the machine off, but if i have a set of MB's, a 280, and a bullet, they get me almost every time. the bullet always generates fascination.
i never complain, and, luckily, they never demand that i play.
last week, i arrived back on Guam, the customs agent asked me: "what was in the bag"? --harmonicas, i explained, including a dick gardener pre-WWII refurbished 280 (got that from kevin last month, BTW, Kevin it's great! i mean, Dick!: it's great!). "okay, sir, you passed my harmnonica test. please proceed through the green line and out the Exit door."
