Originally Posted by VideoPaul
Becuase the airlines will not take responsibility for fragile or electronic items, and a $40,000 piece of test gear is not something they would insure anyway, it becomes carryon luggage. Enter Paul and the Spectrum Analyzer.
I don't blame you there; I'd do the same.
A spectrum analyzer is a sophisticated piece of test equipment that recieves all radio signals of any kind within a defined range of radio frequencies and displays them in real time on a screen. It shows up, I am told, like a computer on the X-ray machine screens. This usually gets it a second looksee, which I am happy to provide.
I imagine I'd want someone to take a look too. We've seen some technical items come through here and it tends to prompt a looksee. I'm glad to see you're understanding about it.
He took the main unit out and said "What's this?"
"It's a spectrum analyzer."
"What does it do?"
Deciding to go for the laugh, I said "It analyzes spectruym."
The TSA has no sense of humor that they are aware of.
That's too bad. I have a great sense of humor and laughed reading this.
"And exactly what business do you have with this equipkment?"
That's when I lost it.
"You job is not to question what equipment I choose to use to do my job. Your job is to determine if what I am bringing on board presents a threat to air travel. Since we have already determined that this equipment isn't explosive, contains no harmful chemicals, and is completely inert, your job is done. Mind your own business and do your job. Do I need to discuss this with your supervisor?"
Good for you. As long as it's not in the context of what we look for, I believe it's none of our business.