Travel with Leica Scanner

I haven't done plane travel with a scanner (because I don't have one) but have traveled with GNSS-Base-Rover and/or robotic total station. Always (because of their value) I have repacked the base/rover into a smaller single case than what they were supplied in and taken them as carry-on luggage, including the batteries. The last time I did this a month or so ago I declared the batteries and they were ok'd by the airline's security chief at the check in counter. That doesn't mean that they could not have been debated at the other security checks but I had copies of both the airline's and international safety guidelines showing that the number and capacity was well below what is allowed. So as I mentioned in another thread, the only problem I have had is with a robotic total station that I checked in as hold baggage but unknown to me, it and the box that it was in, was removed by the airport security for the reason that (I found out later) my "luggage contained a machine". Then security immediately notified the airline but they didn't respond until 40 minutes after the plane had departed, so I arrived at my destination but the instrument and my clothes did not. A 2 day nightmare followed to get them back. So my preference now would be to make a smaller case and carry-on the total station (and I'd say a scanner which I assume is similar size), but I think it would get rejected (if they weighed it) as being heavier than the 7kg limit per item that most airlines enforce. So I think the solution is to put the item in the hold, but get all the security checks done in my presence (this is possible if you as for it to go through the heavy/oversize/fragile conveyor) before swanning off to the gate.

Get setup as a known shipper and ship air cargo, that is how i do it.

https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/cargo-programs

SHG

ken, post: 410823, member: 1548 wrote: Anyone have any words of wisdom on traveling with a Leica C10? I'm guessing somone has maybe found a way to carry it on with a homemade carry on case? Or maybe it is easier to send it ahead of time?

Leica has a black carry-on case for the C10 and P40. It prevents the TSA people from jamming your battery compartments in upside down and you can watch them. Not cheap, but worth it to prevent damage and lost time.

ken, post: 410823, member: 1548 wrote: Anyone have any words of wisdom on traveling with a Leica C10? I'm guessing somone has maybe found a way to carry it on with a homemade carry on case? Or maybe it is easier to send it ahead of time?

Fed Ex. It is insured and protected. When I was with SAM all the Scanners, and such were shipped overnight, fully insured. All the cases were covered with shipping labels. Just lock and ship. It will be there waiting for you. Have faith in Fed Ex, its not the Government.

StLSurveyor, post: 410884, member: 7070 wrote: Fed Ex. It is insured and protected. When I was with SAM all the Scanners, and such were shipped overnight, fully insured. All the cases were covered with shipping labels. Just lock and ship. It will be there waiting for you. Have faith in Fed Ex, its not the Government.

Also recommend buying an external hard drive. Download the scan and ship the drive back to the office overnight. 20 bucks - done.