Traveling with Camera Equipment - a different twist

my experiences have been mixed in different airports.. at Heathrow London a couple of months ago they made everyone shove everything into one carry on even before getting to the screening line.. in Halifax, NS i saw someone carry a lowepro toploader through the metal detector and they searched it using the same 'brush' thing they use for laptops

if security gives you a problem maybe you can request that you pick up the camera right after it get's sent through the xray and before you get searched?

 

The joys of perceived airport security and the wonderful world of TSA.

As far as I know, the FAA has not changed the rules on camera equipment, but can tell you from personal experience that insisteing on hand screening, even for film, will gain you additional screening.

Think about the irony here, we can't protect people's personal belongings from theft, but we can protect an airport or airplane from a terrorist??!!!

 

I guess I'm lucky I don't have a job that requires aircraft travel. I haven't flown since 2002 and don't plan to do so in the future. I would rather plan ahead and drive across country than fly.

- Jay

 

This has been the case in all UK airports since August 2006. You are only allowed 1 piece of hand luggage and it has to conform to the standard bag size. This has been rolled out to all the EU countries as well as a number of Asian and Australasian countries as well. It also applies when flying to and from the USA.

 

The question is how to deal with transporting photographic equipment through airport security, not comments on governmental policies and procedures.

I've taken my Lowepro Photo Trekker through airport security many many times on national and mostly international flights. We even traveled into and out of Heathrow during the prohibition from the foiled terrorist attack last September. The bag was stuffed with my D2X, D200 and loads of lenses. Truth be told it clearly exceeded the carry aboard weight limit. I've never had any difficulties or losses.

I never asked for hand screening since I was accompanied by my wife each time but I do mention to the operator and the person at the detection device that there is photographic equipment in the bag. It serves two purposes: alerting them to what to expect on the xray screen and secondly that there is expensive equipment in the bag. It's worked so far.

Your equipment clearly will be out of your sight, even if you are accompanied by someone. However, in the U.S. and U.K. Italy and Germany you can't get past the detection machines unless you have appropriate identification so the only people "on the other side" are security agents and already screened passengers who have a legitimate reason to be there. Your property is as very low risk during that time. I'd venture to state it is safer right there than when you're sitting at an airport restaurant table eating a meal with your bag somewhere near your feet. All it would take is a split-second noise or distraction and it would be gone in a second.

Rich

 

It's not just before boarding that I don't like, but the perils still exist even when settling in to your seat. When I flew last, I got a seat at the back of the plane but found the overhead bins full. I attempted to put my carryon under my seat but was told by the flight attendant that it didn't fit. She proceeded, in a not too nice tone, to take about $7K of my gear at store it in an overhead bin about 25 feet in front of me!   With the new rules of not getting up so many minutes prior to landing, I couldn't retrieve my gear before touch down. After landing I made a frantic attempt to get to my bag and was lucky no one grabbed it before me!

Jay

 

I must admit, I am very interested in this thread. I will be flying with my camera gear for the first time this December and I am scared out of my mind! I don't have much, mind you, but I really can't replace any of it ($$$-wise). Fortunately I will be flying with others who will have similar stuff so I'm gonna follow their lead....but it still disturbs me none-the-less!

Heck, as it is I need to buy a new bag for the gear for the plane ride.