10d and flying

[ifurlong]

I am going on a trip next weekend. I have not flown since 911. I am wondering how of if I can take my 10d, I would like to carry it with me. I would just bring my 17-40, charge up the batterys and bring a couple extra CF cards. Does any of this sound like a problem? thanks, Ian

[slin100]

I took the exact same setup onto a plane with no problems.

[RbnDave]

I take my 10D through airport security five times a week. I never have any problems. Once in awhile, the TSA people make me take my equipment out of my camera bag and show them it actually is a working camera. That has happened only when I take my large Sigma 70-200 f2.8 along. Also, I was once asked to show my Bogen Proball. They were confused because I had it halfway stuffed inside a shoe to save space.

[robertwgross]

Did you ever wonder why some travelers have to take all of their camera gear out of the carry-on bag, and others don't?

A friend of mine is a security screener, and she told me some of the scoop.

If they are really pushed for time, then they just do the standard job on every traveler as best they can.

If they are not pushed for time, then they ask lots of questions and probe a little deeper, especially if the particular traveler seems cooperative enough.

If they ask about one camera and the traveler simply says "It's a camera, and that's all," then they won't learn much about them.

If they ask and the traveler says "It's a Canon 10D with a 70-200mm zoom lens. I use it for shooting auto races mostly. Last week I used it for shooting a vintage car race down in Houston. ..." Then the screener learned a little bit.

---Bob Gross---

[tpinchback]

I would not even think about checking my camera to go under the plane!!! Dont' do it! You will regret it. I have heard stories of disaparing cameras.

[HotDogOne]

I am a Security Guard at a busy UK airport, my advice would be to pack in your handluggage only lenses, camera bodies and film(or digi media), plus any accessories that are expensive - e.g. flashes. Chargers, filters and smaller items should go into the hold - try to make the camera bag as 'clean' as possible and reduce clutter. Dont wrap wires around chargers, or place multiple items inside each other - this is usually a sure fire way of getting a bag searched. Lenses present there own problems which I cant go into, but it's pretty standard for an Xray operator to have larger lenses checked, so be prepared for that.

We try to be polite, and we do take care, but our job is to look and be nosey - for your safety, we do take things seriously.

For the original poster -> We would probably stop the bag in the Xray and take a look at it with post processing options, but thats probably all.

[mcneguy]

That's not the half of it. If you pay attention to the very small print on your ticket you will find that your camera, in addition to other things like small electronics, are not covered by the airline if they dissappear from checked luggage. They actually make it seem like they expect their baggage handlers to steal your attractive electronic items so they won't cover it.

The moral...never, ever check your camera.

[rockabillyrebel]

I'm due soon to fly from the UK & on to the US, is it ok for my camera bag go through the x-ray or should I always ask for it to be checked by hand? All it would contain is the camera body, 2 lenses, flash unit & CF cards.

[snorrish]

rockabillyrebel:

i've put my laptop, camera, and other electronics through the x-ray machines without any problems.

[tpinchback]

are you allowed to carry on a Bag, Backback, and Camera gear or is it only two out of the three??

[ifurlong]

thanks everyone, hope I come back with some good pics!

[RbnDave]

As an airline employee, I would never ever ever under any circumstances check my camera equipment. Always keep your gear in your carry on luggage. In the United States airline ramp workers make as little as $6 an hour and employee turn over is close to 90% per year. Do you think these people care what happens to your luggage? I see terrible things happen to bags on a weekly basis. Too many things can go wrong. Your bag could fall off a baggage cart and get lost somewhere on the tarmac. It could be misshandled. They might stomp on it just for fun. Or you could have things stolen. The airline is only liable for $60 worth of dammage. Be carfull.

[garethhhhh]

They might stomp on it just for fun.

Hmmm, just wait til I stick some large metal spikes into my baggage, then we'll see how "fun" it is... :twisted: