FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Les Presmyk]

I detect a bit of sarcastic humor. It does not have to make sense, it is a government run agency. You missed the classic security line, "place the box on the floor and step away from the cerussite with your hands over your head".

When some of the Miguel Romero collection was being brought into the states, security stopped the American for an inspection. The American produced all of the proper paperwork and the security person just got more agitated the more the paperwork was referenced. It finally dawned on the American the reason the Mexican security person was getting madder was because he could not read the documents. That should give everyone some comfort although it has probably improved over the past ten years.

[Jason]

"place the box on the floor and step away from the cerussite with your hands over your head". LOLOLOLOL
"look out he has a cerussite and it's twinned to...everybody down.".

[David Von Bargen]

[Jim Prentiss]

Hi Everyone,

About five years ago, I was travelling about and found in a mineral shop a good sized Autunite/Meta-autunite from Spokane, WA. I travelled about for several more days and packed the thing in my briefcase. I was flying home and set my briefcase on the belt along with my shoes and beltbuckle, etc., etc., Went through security, got on the plane, and disembarked at my final destination, and only then did I relize I had gone through security with radioactive material and there was no issue raised.

Two years ago, I moved down to America from Alaska, driving a uhaul through Canada and when I got back to the US border I was pulled aside and asked If I had any radioactive material in the truck. I told them there were some small Autunite and Betafite specimens along with others that were packed with the rest of my collection.This was a seventeen foot uhaul packed full. Not just covering the floor of the rig, packed. I just knew they were going to have me unload it all. After a couple of hours showing them my inventory list of my colection, discussing minerals and collecting they decided to let me go. Go figure.

Jimp

[KDF-TX]

I visited Ireland in September. I didn't have a rock hammer with me but I did manage to pick up a couple of mica schists and quartzes. I also visited the rock shop in Dublin to spend some euros.
To the subject: I was asked by customs if I had soil or seeds. No. Food? Yes. Some honey with Jameson Whiskey.
No problems.

[James Catmur]

Yet another airport and yet more 'rocks' to get through.

On the way out I had to open lots of boxes of small rocks so started my standard talk, and we had a great time admiring them and seeing how great they are. At the end the security person thanked me for the whole experience and said that it was "far more fun than the normal toothpaste in the luggage that people had forgotten to put in a plastic bag, and that he had really enjoyed looking at them"

On the way home it was very, very busy but they made we un-wrap the largest 'rock' so I started my standard banter about the rocks and how I collected them. As the rock was well wrapped this all took a long time with the whole line getting very cross so I start to apologise to the person operating the scanner who just thanked me for being so nice about the whole process! Once we finally got to see the 'rock' we agreed that it was rather big but also rather fragile. Since I "had been so helpful" she felt that it was OK to take it onto the plane, but that next time maybe it would be better to check it in.

So one day I will fail, I know but so far it seems to work if I engage with them and explain what it is all about and show why the 'rocks' matter to me.

Good luck after Tucson folks

James

[Goldfinger]

I would be very careful about how you pack your specimens if you ever decide to check the bags in. You have no idea how baggage is treated once it leaves your sight, esp heavy baggage. So beware.

Goldfinger

[James Catmur]

That is why I never check them in. But I do pack them on the basis that I may have to check them in. That said I tend to be doing all this in Europe not the US

James

[Riccardo Modanesi]

Hi to everybody!
In 2008 I visited Peru and picked up and bought minerals and gemstones. I made sure I took small/medium size specimens, so that I could take it into my hand luggage. And I did it. I got the flight in Lima, then I dismounted the first plane in Sao Paulo, Brazil and remained in the extra-customs area. In that area two shops of "Stern" (you should know whom I'm talking about!) were there and I bought some more minerals. At my arrival in Milan, Malpensa, NO PROBLEM AT ALL!!! I let the airport with my hand luggage, took the other two bulky luggages I had to send and went home! Now those minerals are part of my collection!
Greetings from Italy by Riccardo.