We also use Iron Mountain.  Instead of packing each tape in its white
plastic case, we put the tapes into a "C5" (padded) container, and add
enough empty white plastic cases to snug the tapes from moving.  We have
never had a problem with shipping them back and forth.  We send tapes
offsite daily, and have used their shipping services to send our tapes
across the country to our DR test sites without problem at least twice.
As far as the leader pins.  I have had tapes that have never gone offsite
lose their leader pins in the library.  Simply re-attach the leader pin
carefully using the leader pin re-attachment kit, and the tape works fine
again.




             Miles Purdy
             <purdym AT FIPD DOT GC.C
             A>                                                         To
             Sent by: "ADSM:           ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
             Dist Stor                                                  cc
             Manager"
             <[email protected]                                     Subject
             .EDU>                     Re: ? how to protect LTO media
                                       shipped offsite to Iron Mountain ?

             02/21/2005 06:55
             PM


             Please respond to
             "ADSM: Dist Stor
                 Manager"
             <[email protected]
                   .EDU>






We also use Iron Mountain, without any complaints. We put the LTO tapes in
their clear white cases and then in a soft "pizza" bag to be shipped off
site. I have had problems with the leader pins falling out of the
cartridges - I don't know if this is related to them being shipped offsite
though.

miles

>>> Jim.Owen AT YALE DOT EDU 21-Feb-05 8:12:44 PM >>>
How do you protect LTO media shipped offsite to Iron Mountain?

We currently ship all backupsets offsite to Iron Mountain
on 3590 J cartridges w/ no noticeable problems; we just pack
as many tapes as will fit tightly into one of Iron Mountain's
metal shipping cases.

We've been told that LTO cartridges are much more susceptible
to damage and have never ejected or shipped any of them offsite.

I'm thinking any ejected LTO tapes should at least be put back
into their original plastic cases before being packed (how?)
into a Iron Mountain shipping case, but what do you do?

Have you had any problems shipping LTO tapes offsite?
Thanks for sharing your experience and advice.
--
Jim.Owen AT Yale DOT Edu   (203.432.6693)