Travelling by air with camera gear.

[csm328]

I'll be travelling with my kit soon and was wondering if anyone has had difficulty with security checks etc, in the airport? I carry all my gear in a backpack, all safe and secure and within the carry-on luggage limits.

Also, does/will the xray machine effect my CF or micro-drive?

Be interested in your experiences.

[tomd]

I traveled last week with no problems. X-ray machines are not a problem. I thought they would also hand check, look through lenses, etc., but they didn't do anything. It'll be easy.

[ssim]

Here are a couple of threads that deal with air travel.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=293052

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=286165

If you are within the weight and size restrictions you shouldn't encounter any problems.

[transcend]

but staying within the weight restrictions is nearly impossible...

[mspringfield]

No problems for me. I used to fly with my gear almost every weekend from Oct.- Apr. and never had any real problems. However my bag was swabbed for explosive residue so many times they about wore the handle off. :)

At that time my bag weighed close to 50 lbs and was never called on the weight issues.

Michael

[csm328]

Thanks SSIM. Very Helpful :)

[cskn0125]

I have yet to have a problem and when i was, my backpack was carrying everything i had PLUS all my clothing for the trip. So it was a jam packed backpack with weird looking objects (from the x-rays point of view) and i didn't have any problems, going or coming.

[cosworth]

but staying within the weight restrictions is nearly impossible...

6 lenses, two bodies, 3 flashes, and 478 bits in a Pelican 1650 - never went over the restrictions.

[transcend]

6 lenses, two bodies, 3 flashes, and 478 bits in a Pelican 1650 - never went over the restrictions.

I'm talking about carry-on, I never check my gear. I am basically over weight every single time I fly with a 55lb backpack. I figure I only weigh 145lbs, so that makes up for it. :)

When I was in europe shooting world cups last year, I flew on ryan air and easyjet a few times...5kg limit. Luckily they didn't care enough to check.

[cosworth]

Still never had a weight restriction on my lowepro backpack. All they worry about is if it fits overhead.

3 lenses, 2 flashes, 1 series body, bits, monpod.

[transcend]

Still never had a weight restriction on my lowepro backpack. All they worry about is if it fits overhead.

3 lenses, 2 flashes, 1 series body, bits, monpod.

Every airline in existence has a carryon weight limit. Whether they check it or not depends show good of a mood the gate agent/security agent/flight attendant is in at the time. My lowepro bag is WELL over it on every trip (47 airports last year), no matter what airline. The Euro budget lines are the worst, and LAN chile isn't much better (1 carry-on, 7kg).

Coming back from New Zealand on Qantas I had to take all 3 bodies + lenses out of my bag and hang them around my neck at check in so that the bag would clear. This is a FEDERAL regulation, not even an airline one. Public safety concern about bags in the cabin flying around in the case of an emergency. Each and every single bag gets weighed before you are allowed to clear security. If it is over weight, you are turned around and sent back out.

This is a typical load out for a working trip for me, it is well beyond any airline carry-on weight limits:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/417903020_2be2238f5b.jpg

[jestergx4]

I have my full complement of camera and lenses on my tamrac expedition 5 and I had ZERO problems checking it in, scanned at security checkpoint, etc.etc..etc.. I flew from CA to NJ and back.

[PhotoJourno]

I worried about it too, but nothing ever happened. I am traveling this weekend across country, with an Expedition 7 backpack with 2 bodies, 5 lenses and 2 flash units.
Oh, and my Laptop briefcase (not the thik ones, but the 4-5 inch by 17 one).

Ask for hand inspection if you ever meet resistance or if you want to save time.

At Air Force Bases, for example, all they do is take a random lens out -maybe all- and check for functionality. I just take both end caps off, and show the glass through. Nope, no C4 inside the lens. The camera clicks, so nothing to worry about.

I do put all my non essentials in check-in luggage. Chargers, tripod, etc.

Have a safe trip.

[Thunder_cb]

I've had the screeners determine small things like allen wrenches and the like are dangerous weapons and take them from me. Really annoying when you loose your tools and small stuff like this. So, be careful with this stuff.

[csm328]

My bag looks like transcends so I feel a bit more confident now. Still worried about the xrays effecting my CF and microdrive but i'll just have to like with it. Thanks for all your comments.

[PhotoJourno]

To answer your question directly, the X-ray at the airport is set way too low to affect any electronics, I have had my CFs through Xrays, along with other equipment, and know many others whose cameras and gear go through xray on a weekly basis. There is no risk there.

[R Hardman]

Just be sure that any liquid (like lens cleaning solution) is in its own labeled container that is less then 3oz and in a clear zip-lock bag. Other then that, not a problem.

[supercalla]

I fly all the time between Long Beach and seattle, after alot a weighting here is how I fly with over 100 pounds of equipment. (oh by the way if I can do anyone can, I am only 5'2 and 136 pounds)

1. one camera bag or backpack with all my camera gear and a laptop from time to time. (this bag doesn't ever leave my site)
2. A full size suitcase with props rubber ducks and blocks for the kiddies, 3 softboxes, two alienbees lights in travel bags (oh and my clothes for the trip)
3. A hardshell full size golf carrier (get lots of questions at the airport and people giving me crazy looks because the thing is almost my size) inside the hardshell is: a 14 foot backdrop stand, 3 light stands, 1 alien bees light,
all my cords and some more props.

The 2 larger items get checked and they always get picked through by TSA. The camera bag goes through x-ray with only the question of is this video?

from my experience buy a scale and preweigh as much as you can. the last thing you want to do at the airport it try to rearrange things. But if you have to pull out a light and carry it on. That will get you 2 pounds under the limit.

Best of luck

[scottykm]

However my bag was swabbed for explosive residue so many times they about wore the handle off. :)
Michael

Be grateful, at least yours didnt test positive like mine did on the Channel Tunnel:o

that took some explaining ( I work with weapons and explosives and packed my back before getting a shower after work!)

Glad I hadnt left my ID at work.

for ref tho, some of the european airlines can be quite picky if you fly out of stanstead, have had to check my bag once or twice, and Do not ever try to take a monopod on the flight, that caused problems at security

[ssim]

but staying within the weight restrictions is nearly impossible...

It may be hard to stay within the guidelines, that I certainly agree with. Many people are lucky to have gotten away with it. I hope that anyone that does decide to show up at the gate with an overweight bag that they have a backup plan. Quite honestly, the gate agent doesn't care whether you camera gear or salami in your bag. If it is overweight and they are in a work to rule kind of mood you won't get on with it. They do have the final say.

I have seen people in tears at the gate because the agent has made them check whatever it was that they were trying to take on board.

The rules are not written with photographers in mind.