"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
...


Te Canaille wrote:

Back when I used to fly frequently and had to deal with them on a
regular basis, it struck me that most of the people working
security
seemed to come from the same labor pool as the folks serving food in
the cafeteria and cleaning the bathrooms. For some of them,
it was
obvious that the authority they were given (probably for the first
time in their lives) went right to their heads.

I agree, but must quickly add that my problem did not occur in security.
It was with the ticket agents at baggage check in.

There's even less of an excuse for that. We had some "fun" with them, too,
especially when flying with archery equipment. It got to
the point that when asked, we would just tell them that the case contained
a "trade show display".



I had a security agent in Hamburg forbid me to bring a 5-piece fly rod, in
an 18-inch travel case, onto a RyanAir flight. I had just been on two other
RyanAir flights with it within the week, had taken that exact rod in that
exact case as a carry-on on two SouthAfrican Air, a KLM and a NW flight
within the previous 6 months, and had gotten permission from the lady at
check-in moments before. But this bonehead, pigheaded obstinate 18 year old
German gestapo kid adamantly refused on the grounds that 'it was pointed'
(meaning the rod sections inside the case). As we stood there arguing, he
let some 16 year old girl bring her violin through, although I pointed out
that the bow was as pointed as my fly rod and the case was much larger. He
still refused and said "The rod either goes as checked baggage or you do not
get on the flight." I went up two levels; the immediate supervisor, and the
floor manager. They all backed him up although they could not produce any
reason other than "we don't allow those on flights." I wanted to spit on
him, I was so furious. And I don't often get that mad.

Fortunately, the rod arrived safely at the next stop, but I still was deeply
insulted by his attitude and treatment. I guess you get what you pay for.

--riverman