Camera Bag/Equipment vs. Airport Security

C

chocobobot

Member
Hello everyone,

I plan on doing some traveling over the next few months (both nationwide and internationally) and was curious on everyones run ins with Airport Security with your camera equipment (Carry-On only). I have read some postings here on the forums as well as on other anonymous websites that its recommended that you bring the 'bare' minimum on carry on due to the through checking that the TSA preforms. Is this in fact true? My main conern is getting my DVX100B through security although I am concerned that my Burton Zoom Pack Pro will be stocked up with all my camera gear.

Anyone have any recommendations or issues at all? And also, do you think they would allow my Burton Zoom Pack Pro on carry on? Its not that big of a bag although I have also read they only allow bags of certain sizes. Appreciate any replies!
 
They'll want you to pull out your camera and set it in a tray. At least that's what they do every time I fly somewhere. So, try to keep easy access to your camera to make it easier.

I've never had a problem with my HVX-200. Just take it out of the bag set it on the tray and then put it back in at the other end.

Carrying a laptop requires the same thing. So that with my shoes and camera I have a long line of trays going through. :)
 
Gotcha. I assume the accessories (battery, power cable, etc) can stay within the bag during the x-ray scan? Or would it be best to just to put in them in another bag for check-in?
 
Yep, the only thing I had to take out was the camera.
You'll want to put each extra battery in a ziploc. The new regs say they can't be floating around loose anymore in the bags.

But I've left my mattebox, batteries filters whatever in the bag and ran it. Just the camera and laptop had to be in their own tray.

I'm flying out tomorrow so I'll have to go through all that as well.
 
Hmm. Wonder why they dont allow the batterys to be secluded in one of the bag slots. But hey, I won't question it! LOL.

Appreciate the info. Now my concern is my Burton Zoom bag size. Hopefully they don't consider it too big...
 
There have been issues with batteries touching contacts and shorting out. So they want them isolated from each other.
 
The battery thing isn't about shorting out.
It is generally accepted as a current legitimate threat multiple persons will carry on components for assembling devices while aboard.

Carry on only the things you absolutely need while on board (or that you wish to protect from damage).

TSA has approved the use of a certain type of security lock that uses a master key (by them) for opening as required for inspection.
If you have a Haliburton or Pelican case, these work great and offer an additional amount of security for your gear.
Nothing beats a well padded hard case for carrying your gear.
 
Aside from everything already mentioned the only thing I've run into is that once I had to ocmpletely empty a small pelican case as it was rather tightly packed with all sorts of odds and ends and lots of really thick metal basically. TSA was extremely nice and totally understanding of the value of the equipment and had me carefully place it a few tubs outside of the case and re-run it throught he xray machine so they could get a good look at it all. So maybe give yourself an extra 20 minutes just in case and be patient if anything comes up. They're just doing their job...
 
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Sorry, I couldn't resist
 
anyone know about a 35mm adapter. i have the letusFE and it looks super suspicious; i mean, it has a black and a red wire coming out of it going into a battery pack with a switch haha. Would that be better to put in checked baggage as it isnt needed on the flight?

i might be traveling this summer and would want to have my 35mm for certain situations
 
I flew to California couple months back with my dvx and a ton of accessories all in the Ogio Ty evans bag. No problems at all.
 
Mike Parker said:
Unfortunately, those "TSA Approved" locks provide little protection against potential TSA thieves.
Click to expand...

just curious, is that from empirical experience or just speculation?

I ask because I recently traveled with two dolly loads (sky cap type dollies) of gear, all with those little TSA locks- had ZERO problems.
in fact, TSA went out of their way (at the check in place, not at the Security Point, of course) to accommodate the procedure.

they recognized the cases as film stuff (some Anvil, some Pelican) and were not only careful but said they'd follow the items through to the trolly.
that's kinda cool.

i wonder though- would one of the baggage handlers have better 'fortune' moving gems, valuables, and electronics stolen from ordinary luggage than pulling out a tripod base plate (fit in your pocket kind of item) and trying to hock that??

begs the question, and kinda knows the answer....
 
Both. Google "TSA thieves" to get an idea of how serious the problem is. A friend of mine, whom I've known for almost 40 years, told me that a TSA goon lifted $1,000 from his wallet when it went though screening. He discovered this loss after he went through security and then counted his money: four grand had shrunk to three grand. I have no reason to doubt his version of events.

I typically carry several thousand dollars in cash when I travel overseas, especially to Third World countries where fresh $50's and $100's are the preferred coin of the realm. Since my friend's experience, I now put most of my money in a ziplock bag and stick it in my underwear. No problems so far.

I know the reaction: "Is that a wad of money in your undies or are you just happy to see me?"
 
Mike Parker said:
Both. Google "TSA thieves" to get an idea of how serious the problem is. A friend of mine, whom I've known for almost 40 years, told me that a TSA goon lifted $1,000 from his wallet when it went though screening. He discovered this loss after he went through security and then counted his money: four grand had shrunk to three grand. I have no reason to doubt his version of events.
"
Click to expand...

So, his wallet had one of those TSA approved locks on it?

I don't get the picture here..... sorry.
 
chocobobot said:
And also, do you think they would allow my Burton Zoom Pack Pro on carry on? Its not that big of a bag although I have also read they only allow bags of certain sizes. Appreciate any replies![/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR]
Click to expand...

chocobobot,

This depends on the airline. Make sure to investigate the carry-on requirements of each airline that you've booked with.

If you are flying exclusively on large airplanes, your bag should not be a problem for carry-on. If you think there's a chance that you'll be on some little "puddle hopper" jet, or Turbo-Prop with only 3 seats across, then you'll be forced to either check your Zoom Pack Pro, or take your gear out and hold it in your lap. This is said from experience :)

Happy travels,
Andrew
 
My philosophy while flying in general is not to check anything you're not willing to lose.

I've gone through security with a porta brace with dvx, 4 batteries, about a dozen tapes, and all sorts of extras without any issues. Just make sure to keep an eye and a hand on your camera bag at all times.
 
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