Spotting scopes and planes (1 Viewer)

Hi all

I'm travelling abroad soon, and wanted to take my fairly recently purchased scope with me (Opticron GS 815 GA ED). I don't want to trust it to the suitcase (it'll either get damaged or stolen....) so wanted to take it as carry on luggage.

How does everyone else handle this? Any tips? Do you tend to get stopped and have to show what it is?

Thanks B

Firstly as its your first post welcome to BF.

I always carry my scope in my hand luggage (a smallish rucksack) and have never experienced any problems in 20 years of doing so. On occasion I've been asked to take it from its case and remove lens covers but thats no big deal.

I wouldn't trust any optics in hold baggage the way its so roughly handled.

Cheers

Stewart

Thanks Stewart - was worried also whether they'd consider it sports equipment and worthy of a surcharge etc, but good to see it should be fine.

This is a thread from a few months ago....lots of advice:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=105644

Again I would take it as hand luggage. I had my bins around my neck but swiftly removed them when we arrived in Nairobi airport.

Once outside I put them on again, My tripod was wrapped in bubble wrap in my holdall which went on the plane. The authorities had removed it to inspect my tripod but to give them thier due they did re wrap it for me.

I have travelled worldwide with no problems.

Beware of using BTO codes when abroad in your notebook. To the wrong people they could be construed as code for spying.

Is there a thread here on what to do if questioned by the authorites when birdwatching abroad.?

Carl. Jay

Thanks for your help also Joanne and cjay