TSA and your camera gear at airports?

12 years 3 weeks ago #222890 by Photo Mojo
This was the first time that I flew with my entire camera bag. I had a small wedding to shoot up in New Jersey. Anyway on the way there and on the way back, both times going through security they flagged me and started going through my camera bag and wiping it down with chemical sensing rags.

If this just happened one way I wouldn't make much of it, but it happened both times and has me wondering do others get flagged when they travel with camera gear? For the record I'm clean shaved and well dressed.


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12 years 3 weeks ago - 12 years 3 weeks ago #222891 by John Landolfi
It varies. I fly with my gear a few times each year, and I have been treated to the full, intrusive search, as well as completely ignored. Makes you wonder how effective all of this can really be. Last time, they passed me, with a Billingham 550 with side bags crammed full of gear, through without so much as a look, and they made my wife open her little (Lumix) bag and gave that the third degree. Go figure...:)


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12 years 3 weeks ago #222903 by Photo Mojo
We'll I don't feel to bad now. But still it has me wondering. I guess I'll see what happens next time I fly.


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12 years 3 weeks ago #222913 by Joves
TSA is a joke and an abomination. I will not fly anymore because of them.


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12 years 3 weeks ago #222972 by geoffellis
Well... when I flew international to Sydney Australia, I had no issues... either at the departure gate in Vancouver, or at arrivals in Sydney. However when I flew Sydney to Brisbane (Domestic) a few hours later, I got flagged. LOL

But did anyone else see the news article about the american man fed up with the TSA the other day? He stripped down nude in the screening area as a protest of the TSA
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12 years 2 weeks ago #222992 by effron
Since 911 I've probably flown twenty or so times, and have yet to have my camera backpack even opened. A couple times I have taken my laptop, and it needed to be turned on every time but the camera gear skates. I must look harmless......:)
Although I have zero problems with TSA, I've seen some pretty amazing things and a lot of the staff are totally stupid and useless at best, and borderline criminal at worst.....:angry:

Why so serious?
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12 years 2 weeks ago #223088 by rmeyer7

effron wrote: ... a lot of the staff are totally stupid and useless at best, and borderline criminal at worst.....:angry:

YES. Not too long ago I had a layover in Chicago where the TSA agents didn't know I was allowed to bring a carry-on bag plus a "personal item" that could be a laptop case, camera bag, etc. They said I would have to check one of the items. I pointed to a sign that was literally *right in front of them* that said I could carry them both on the plane. They still wouldn't listen to me. So I stuffed my laptop inside my carry-on bag right in front of them and walked through the gate. Idiots.


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12 years 2 weeks ago #223152 by Happy-pixel
I fly often and it's a complete random act if you ask me. Or unless you just look suspicious. I've been searched a couple times too, but as annoying and inconvenient as it might be. It's for our safety, so I'm good with that.


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12 years 2 weeks ago #223160 by John Landolfi

rmeyer7 wrote:

effron wrote: ... a lot of the staff are totally stupid and useless at best, and borderline criminal at worst.....:angry:

YES. Not too long ago I had a layover in Chicago where the TSA agents didn't know I was allowed to bring a carry-on bag plus a "personal item" that could be a laptop case, camera bag, etc. They said I would have to check one of the items. I pointed to a sign that was literally *right in front of them* that said I could carry them both on the plane. They still wouldn't listen to me. So I stuffed my laptop inside my carry-on bag right in front of them and walked through the gate. Idiots.


Same experience, different gear...:nunu:


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12 years 2 weeks ago #223187 by Baydream
A few years ago I had them swab my film cartridges but the only other "photo" delay was well before 9/11 in England when they asked me to remove my 28mm lens from my Pentax ME Super to look inside. All my flights since then have been no issue.
TSA does have (or had) an "every so many" rule at some airports where every say, 20th person, got a more thorough check.

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork

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12 years 2 weeks ago #223331 by Number 7
I've flown a number of times with gear and I've been pulled aside once. Pretty harmless, more annoying when you are running late to your flight!


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12 years 2 weeks ago #223344 by digishutterbug
I have had no problems leaving USA, but for years in the UK they would not let me take a carry on an another bag. This year I saw the the airlines carry on policy when I was printing my boarding pass so I printed it out to be prepared and call them on it. Wouldn't you know, this time no problem got backpack and purse on no problem! Go figure!


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