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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I packed my backpack in a large duffle bag. Checked
it. When I got to my destination, (the beginning of my
pilgrimage) I removed my backpack and mailed the duffle bag ahead to
the Post at Santiago for use on my return trip. The duffle bag was large enough
to handle the additional items that I gathered along the way (little gifts etc.
that I purchased fro my grandchildren et.al.) </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=deannabowlingayahoo.com
href="mailto:deannabowlingayahoo.com">athena</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
href="mailto:GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu">GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, August 30, 2004 10:37
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Basic travel questions from
novice traveler</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Those inspectors are a bit unpredictable. In Paris about two years
ago an inspector took away my carbiner clips, small aluminum clips to hold
things on my pack. In Mexico an inspector took all my batteries (I always
suspected that he wanted them himself !) On the other hand, I made it
all the way into Texas from northern Canada with a walking stick, taller than
I am, in my hand!. Each inspector said, "The next person may not let you take
that." So I just wrap my bag securely, check it, and pray! I feel almost
sure that my telescoping walking sticks would not pass now and they are
essential to me. The knife is replaceable. The sticks are my friends!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I was searched re-entering the States last time because my pack smelled
like fruit to the cute little produce-sniffing dog!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Deanna<BR><BR><B><I>"Jilek, Glenn"
<Glenn.JilekaFHWA.DOT.GOV></I></B> wrote:</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=133482912-30082004>That's an interesting idea. I too was worried
about all the dangly things hanging from my backpack that might get caught
in some conveyer belt or other machine, but thought I had to check it
because of some sharp or suspicious things in it.
</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=133482912-30082004>I was concerned with stuff that wouldn't pass
security (I recently had my fingernail clippers taken away at O Hare in
Chicago). I guess any thing that might not pass security (cork screw,
knife, scissors, etc.), you could package along with your trekking poles and
check them.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=133482912-30082004></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=133482912-30082004>I
have never flown into London, but have traveled to Amsterdam, Paris, and
often into Frankfurt....customs checks were very light to almost none
existent at those airports. There was not even anyone there to check
customs this spring in Frankfurt Rhein/Main after the Pass Control.
Entering the US is quite another story however...A couple of years ago we
flew back into Cincinnati. My partner and I were asked if we bought
any chocolate--simultaneously I said no and she said yes. That
discrepancy was enough to have us sent into another line for a complete
check of our baggage. Yes we did have chocolate, which I had forgotten
that we bought. They didn't confiscate it, but the search caused
stress and delay.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>Glenn<SPAN class=133482912-30082004><FONT
color=#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT size=2><B>From:</B> Rosina Lila
[mailto:Blaroliaaol.com]<BR></FONT></FONT><FONT PTSIZE="10"><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN class=133482912-30082004><FONT
color=#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT PTSIZE="10"><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=133482912-30082004> </SPAN>Hi, <BR>Most airports have a machine
that completely wrap your backpack, or suitcase in cellophane for
protection. They cost ten bucks, are legal and quite effective if you
check the backpack. <BR>Most of us, however, take it as a carry-on and
have no problems.
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