Would VHS tape erase at airport?

[sonicdeth]

I may be bringing a large amount of vhs tapes back from somewere with me next week when I travel. I was just wondering if going through airport security would erase the tapes or screw them up?

[edDV]

I may be bringing a large amount of vhs tapes back from somewere with me next week when I travel. I was just wondering if going through airport security would erase the tapes or screw them up?

Not likely as baggage (xray) but better to ship UPS. Avoid metal detectors if this is critical. It probably won't hurt.

If "somewhere" is foreign, expect more scans and customs unpacking.

[zoobie]

my brother's hi8 tapes were destroyed coming back to the usa from europe...but this was back in 1996...still, best to take ed's advice...as usual
my hi8's weren't destroyed for some reason...I think I carried them on when I returned the same year

[RickA]

Not sure what you consider a large amount of tapes. edDV's suggestion of UPS sounds like a good viable option. You might be able to get security to hand inspect the tapes if you are very nice to them and let them know about your concerns of accidental damage / erasure by their scanners.

If the content might be considered a bit racy and you do not wish security to see. Then the UPS route seems definitely a better way to go. May even be able to get insurance on it.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Rick

[sonicdeth]

Thanks guys, yeah I think I'll take them through the airport and try to have them hand inspected. Hopefully they comply to my request.

[hech54]

I carried dozens of rolls of film to and from Australia in carry on luggage AND checked luggage and not a single roll was even remotely effected in any way, shape or form.

[lordsmurf]

X-RAY is optical, not magnetic. It should not interfere, no. Iron-lined baggies can be purchased at a pro camera store. Specify the audio-visual nature of the contents, and then have them hand-inspected at the gates.

Large amount? Ground ship FEDEX (UPS sucks, in my opinion).

[JohnnyMalaria]

Use UPS and put a huge sticker on the packages saying "MAGNETIC MEDIA". Don't assume ground transportation won't be exposed to magnetic detection.

BTW, I would strongly urge against FedEx Ground (not Fed Ex). They often use third-parties to do the final "out for delivery" leg and the contract between you and Fed Ex Ground (who are NOT part of Fed Ex proper) doesn't extend liability for loss/damage to the third party. I found out when I purchased a DSR-11 deck off eBay and it got lost, never to be found. Fed Ex Ground refused to pay on the seller's insurance even though the last known location was an en route distribution center. The seller had to eat the loss.

It happened again some time later. Now, I always instruct vendors to explicity not use Fed Ex Ground. If the vendor refuses, I go elsewhere. I've heard similar stories from others.

Of course, UPS (and USPS etc) are not perfect but at least they have liability to the door step.

(I also avoid DHL for similar experiences at work that cost over a million dollars in delayed product development and launch).

[lordsmurf]

UPS has always beat the crap out of boxes, dumped them in flower beds or on a doorstep in the rain, or left a note "you're not home" without even ringing the doorbell or knocking. This is site-to-house, of course. Site-to-apartment is worse. Best is site-to-store or site-to-mailbox (at a private mailbox place, not a PO box, of course).

Just my experience. A lot of the "UPS Stores" are also privately franchised, no actual relation to UPS and you'll have service problems sending or claiming insurance.

[hech54]

USPS CANNOT track a package outside of America. USPS does not deliver outside of America therefor they cannot guarantee ANY kind of delivery outside of America. If they try to tell you or sell you that....look them straight in the face and tell them they are full of shit.
USPS is still one of the best in the world...but beware what they claim as far as worldwide delivery.

[JohnnyMalaria]

That's odd. I have frequently sent packages overseas to my mother via USPS and I can track them. When she calls to let me know, I say "I know, it was delivered at xx time". Obviously, the USPS use a local agent such as the Royal Mail in the UK and vice versa.

Re damaged boxes, I suppose everyone has their never again experiences. My wife sends heavy boxes overnight to/from NC and TN at least once every week. She's been using the same boxes for over a year. They are the kind that you get for 10 x 500 sheets of paper from places like Office Depot etc. She also gets UPS to pick up from home. Our local UPS franchisee is a dick. If you take a prepaid package in for delivery, he gets very shitty. If we have to go to a UPS store, we go 20 miles out of our way to get excellent and reliable service. We even told him so.

It's a crapshoot

[MOVIEGEEK]

I prefer UPS because their stores are everywhere and I never have to wait in a long line.FedEx lost too many packages so the company I work for went with DHL.

[hech54]

That's odd. I have frequently sent packages overseas to my mother via USPS and I can track them. When she calls to let me know, I say "I know, it was delivered at xx time". Obviously, the USPS use a local agent such as the Royal Mail in the UK and vice versa.

How did YOU find out that it was delivered at xx time"?

[rhegedus]

Not sure if the material is the same but I've carried loads of DV tape throught airports (both as luggage and carry-on) without any ill effects.