Cameras on planes

[damonb]

I'm taking the D90 on a little trip tomorrow, and I was tossing up whether it should be baggage or hand luggage.

I worry that my baggage will be brutally zapped and flung around for fun before it's stowed.

I worry that if it's hand luggage the terrorist-seeking midichlorians in the check-in x-ray will
fry the little D90's heart.

In short, I've never taken a digital camera on a plane. What do you people normally do?

Just tell me I'm paranoid, and engaging in magical thinking, and that those x-rays can't do anything to a digital camera, and I'll be happy.

[Sil3ntp8nd8]

I carry most of my gear in my photo backpack. And that is a carry on. I never check in any bag with electronics. Its kind of big and heavy though it fits the size limit. Though it weighs 40lbs.

I have a little bag too, its kind of like a reporters bag but it carries the d90 and grip with an attached lens and room for 2 small lenses or a lens and a flash.

When I saw my bag going through the x-ray, I looked at the screen and there were just staring at it. I was too as I never saw so much white on the screen. Most of my filters showed as a solid circle. Though its not going to mess with any of the internals by going through the x-ray. People do it all day and I never heard of a problem. And your not using film so you dont have to worry about your pictures being destroyed.

I pulled out the camera on the plane plenty of times and even took pictures around the airport. You'll be fine. Good luck and have fun!

[damonb]

Sil3ntp8nd8 (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?u=48411), thanks. I'm going hand luggage commando. And I'll look out for the screen. That sounds interesting. Thanks again!

[Paul Hudson]

I have carried a D90 on board many times. The scan at TSA will do no harm.

[damonb]

Thanks Paul. It was probably a stupid question, but you know how we get attached to things!

[ihatedv]

Never EVER check anything important !

[Zim]

Take it on the plane with you.

[Michael Carter]

Backpacks are the way to go to get a lot of stuff carried on. When you're lined up, all they see are the straps. You don't even need a "photo" backpack, just wrap your camera in some of the clothes you're taking or a towel.

I traveled all over as a still shooter and often checked grip gear, but never my bodies and lenses. Most employees are pretty understanding - they see a big body with a motor grip and their attitude is usually, "yeah, I wouldn't check that!"

When I take vacations, I can't live without a guitar. I got an inexpensive Taylor acoustic and a soft case with backpack straps. The stew-waitresses never seem to "see" it as a guitar, just a backpack.

I still remember when I had a really bad injury to one of my hands (lost most of a finger in fact). Having your arm wrapped in a huge bandage even gets you in the "early boarding" line - guess you could consider a fake cast if you're really worried!