Ask Gadling: How to get a ticking clock through airport security

by Annie Scott on


Today’s question comes from Joseph, who’s currently traveling in Copenhagen.

“I recently purchased a late 1920s savings bank clock while antique shopping at the Gammel Strand antiques market in Copenhagen, Denmark. I was wondering if you have any advice for transporting the clock, which is still ticking, back to the United States without raising too much suspicion from airport security. I have read too many news articles regarding airport terminals being evacuated because of passengers leaving ticking clocks in their unattended bag and I would prefer to not end up on a Fox News Alert in the near future.“

First, we followed up with Joseph to ensure that the clock is small enough to be carried on the plane. If it were bigger than regulation size, we would have to recommend a specialty shipping company, as checking the clock in a suitcase or box, even if the ticking didn’t bother the security guards (after the usual x-ray), would mean a lot of jostling and probably damage to the clock. Joseph assured us the clock was about 12″ by 2″ wide; definitely small enough.

View more Ask Gadling: Travel Advice from an Expert or send your question to ask [at] gadling [dot] com.

I enlisted the help of our resident pilot, Kent Wien, and our resident flight attendant, Heather Poole, for their airport expertise on this one.

“They can x-ray the item and see that there are no other components necessary for a bomb,” said Kent. “Not a worry at all. He can even have it in a bag if he likes.”

“Can he put it on the conveyor belt? If so, he’s fine,” said Heather.

If the clock is too delicate for the conveyor belt in any way, like you’re concerned that the rubber flaps of the machine might damage the clock face, consider wrapping it in cloth and sticking it in a shopping bag for the security portion of your trip.

Don’t tape it up with styrofoam or other packing materials, making it hard to get to in case of questions.

“If he can hand-carry it,” said Kent, “he’ll have the opportunity to show it to security, which would help.”

Heather suggested asking to have it put in the airplane’s closet for the duration of the flight — that way, it won’t run the risk of damage in the overhead if there’s heavy turbulence (and the ticking won’t freak out your neighbor).

Thanks for the question, Joseph, and congratulations on your find!

Finding the Holy Spirit in Baja: Darwin would be proud

by Jason Heflin on

Imagine an uninhabited island with clear bays of turquoise water edged with rocky cliffs. Sea turtles, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions make their home on its shores. The surrounding waters contain giant manta ray, shark, dolphin, orca, and the mighty pacific gray whale. This island boasts one of the most biologically diverse bodies of water in the world, so you might think we’re describing the famed Galapagos. We’re in Baja Mexico, the island of Espiritu Santo to be exact.

The cockpit of a kayak is the best place from which to view the island. Paddling the shores allows you to experience the water and take in the beauty of the landscape. I trolled for jack and bonita while paddling and even caught dinner for my camp one night. There are several operators on the island, but be sure to go with a trusted tour provider. For example, Boundless Journeys provides week-long all-inclusive trips (under $2,000) to the island and practices leave-no-trace camping ethics.

To see the unique desert landscape of Espiritu Santo strap on a pair of boots or sturdy sandals and explore the dirt paths criss-crossing the rocky landscape. After a rain the dry island transforms into a colorful wonderland of flowers and plants. Summer temperatures can easily skyrocket into the 90s and sunscreen as well as frequent shaded breaks are mandatory. While on a guided hike of the island our group found shelter in one of the caves naturally carved into the cliff line. Self-guided hikes are fine for experienced hikers but a guide is recommended for those unfamiliar with desert hiking.

Setting up camp in one of the natural bays provides a perfect base of operations. From a base camp a panga (small motorized boat) can be used to reach remote areas of the island. A base camp also eliminates the need to trek across choppy water back and forth to the mainland each day. Most pangas are equipped to carry kayaks and can drop paddlers in bays that offer easy paddling as well as mysterious mangrove swamps. The twisted limbs and roots of the mangroves are home to many of the islands bird species such as the long-necked snowy egrets and blue herons.

Although paddling and hiking are two of the most popular activities on the island, wildlife viewing is why most come. Throngs of tourists flood the shores each year to spot the many species that call them home. The playful sea lions on the north shore are a huge draw, as are the wide variety of bird species. The blue-footed booby is one of the most sought after. February and March are the best time to catch mighty gray whales as they spend their winter in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez.

The closest city to Espiritu Santo is La Paz. The calm waters in the bay where La Paz sprouted create a protective harbor for ships. Although small, the airport has daily flights from Mexico City and Guadalajara to accommodate tourists. Visiting La Paz during the Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, provides an opportunity to experience one of the world’s most unique festivals. Giant skeletal statues, faces painted like skulls, and dioramas depicting tiny skeletons enjoying daily activities are just a few of the ways locals celebrate their ancestors.

After a week of paddling the mangroves and experiencing the diverse mix of bird and sea life, I couldn’t help but wonder how long it might take the Mexican government to get a good grasp on the difficult task of enforcing the rules they’ve set forth on Espiritu Santo.

Locals cash in on the abundant fish populations surrounding the island and are finding employment as guides, camp cooks, and panga drivers. For now, the island seems to be maintaining it’s extraordinary biodiversity while simultaneously providing income for locals and enjoyment for tourists, but this is a delicate balancing act indeed.

Airport survey reveals huge trade in bushmeat

by Sean McLachlan on

Researchers studying customs seizures at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris have discovered that smuggling of illegal meat is a huge problem.

Up to 270 tons of illegal meat may be coming into Europe from Africa every year. The study made its estimate based on customs searches over a 17 day period involving 134 passengers from 14 African countries. Nine people were caught with bushmeat weighing a total of 188 kilos (414 lbs). The defendants had a variety of dead animals in their bags, including primates, crocodiles, and rodents. Some were protected species.

Bushmeat, the common term for animals hunted in the African countryside for food, makes up to 80% of protein and fat in the diet of rural Africans. Much of the hunting is for rodents and deer that aren’t endangered, but this practice has also led to some species being pushed onto the endangered species list or becoming locally extinct. Importing bushmeat is illegal in Europe, but the taste for exotic foods, or nostalgia for good home cooking, has led to a major trade in wild animals.

While it’s not a headline grabber like discovering a shipment of human heads, officials say bushmeat smuggling poses a health risk and contributes to wildlife extinction.

Photo courtesy Amcaja via Wikimedia Commons.

Southwest Airlines seizes shipment of human heads from cargo department

by Scott Carmichael on

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcdfw.com/video.


Of all the “baggage issues” we’ve covered here on Gadling, this is by far the weirdest/most disgusting. A Southwest Airlines employee contacted police when an incorrectly labeled package turned out to contain 40 to 60 human heads.

The heads were on their way to a Fort Worth medial research company, but the local coroner says the shipment had “discrepancies”. According to NBC news in Forth Worth, the company that supplied the heads had their license revoked back in December.

Now, I think we should all spend a moment to think of the horror the poor Southwest Airlines employee has been through – opening a cargo box to discover 60 heads staring at you is a sight he or she will most likely not forget any time soon.

Update: As Southwest airlines correctly points out in the comments, the heads never made it onto a plane – a Southwest Airlines cargo staff member followed all procedures and contacted local authorities before the package was accepted. Kudos to them and everyone at Southwest Airlines for preventing this shipment from making it onto a plane.

California “socialite” arrested with 13 suitcases of pot at airport

by Scott Carmichael on

Lisette Lee, a 28 year old “socialite” from Van Nuys, California, has been arrested upon suspicion of transporting 506 pounds of marijuana. Now, I’ll admit that I’m no fan of anyone that describes themselves as a “socialite”, but I’m fairly sure she didn’t become famous by using her brains.

According to Port Columbus, Ohio police, Ms. Lee landed at the airport in a private jet, and started unloading 13 suitcases she claimed contained “equipment” that belonged to her boyfriend. Of course, the fact that she couldn’t name the last name of said boyfriend may have made the FBI a tad suspicious.

According to Lee, this was her third trip to Columbus, and each time she flew there, she was given between 12 and 14 suitcases to deliver to an unnamed hotel room. For each of her trips, she’d be paid $60,000.

When her personal bag was searched, officers found cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and drug ledgers. She admitted that the drugs were hers.

You obviously don’t need to be a socialite to realize that carrying that many suitcases on a private jet, and being paid $60,000 for the job may be part of something illegal. If convicted, her stupidity could end up costing her between five and forty years in prison.

[Image from: DEA]