H2o - I have learned to pack my sharps in my hold luggage after a well publicised "dont take sharp things on planes" campaign was put out, neither can I carry essential personal medication to last a months exped and have to risk baggage handlers losing or bursting that for me (don't say use better containers - the b*******ds trashed a mess tin for me once, broke a rucksack frame another time and could bend anything they tried to!)
The only thing I have had "stolen" from me personally was a Zippo of sentimental value.
This was in Boston Airport in the early days of Airport Paranoia and there were no warnings of confiscation posted. BA had let me carry it to America and now, once again, you can carry lighters on planes.
Several, poorly briefed and supervised members of expeds I have lead (meeting them AFTER their air journey) have lost knives and, of course, it is easy to forget your pocket knife is stowed in your daysack not your bergan, when you have been out in the bush for a month and civilized rules have not aplied.
One exped I was on had to round up all the penknives at the security counter, put them in a hastily emptied day bag which was then rushed back to check in and put in as hold luggage.
Amazingly it got to Britain without baggage handlers helping themselves to some very nice sharps! But then it was done in an African Airport where there was little of the problems you find in say Heathrow and we had time and co-operation from the airport staff.
Theft from hold luggage is an international problem and they tell you to keep valuables safely in your hand luggage - then confiscate them!:aargh4:
Please let me stop ranting now and let the fellow find his toothpick - which - no doubt - would be confiscated allong with the surgical shears, tweezers and corkscrews that are all cleassed as "dangerous" on airplains!
John:tapedshut
