Mike writes on the fun and games in clearing airport security with car parts.
I pride myself in travelling light so I was already a bit out of sorts when
I agreed to collect from a supplier in the UK when I was there enough wheel
spokes for 4 x 22" wheels with 72 spokes per wheel for a mate who is
rebuilding a Lanchester here in Sydney.
I also try to travel pretty cheap. This particular trip was Sydney - London
- Sydney with Phillipine Airlines (PAL = Plane Always Late). Saved about
$1000 but took an extra two days to get there with about 5 stopovers,
including some god forsaken places.
Returning home with the spokes on the exact day after the TWA disaster.
Airport security everywhere was especially tight. Well, every X-ray machine
at every airport went into panic mode when this solid lump appeared on the
screen.
Try explaining the what/where and why of wheel spokes to some airport
security staff most of whom had probably never seen a wire wheel on
anything other than a bike.
Paul
|