Flying With Camera

[H0LLYW00D]

Im taking my camera and gear to California this saturday and have never taken it on a plane before, i have taken a laptop before and had to get is checked sperately but is there anything else i should know or worry about. Im storing all the gear and laptop in the Lowepro Nature trekker AW II and im flying with Air Canada.

[ed rader]

Im taking my camera and gear to California this saturday and have never taken it on a plane before, i have taken a laptop before and had to get is checked sperately but is there anything else i should know or worry about. Im storing all the gear and laptop in the Lowepro Nature trekker AW II and im flying with Air Canada.


i carry two camera bags when i fly. i carry my camera gear in my domke f1-x and my laptop goes in my domke f-802. no problems tho i have been pulled aside and searched a bit more thoroughly a couple of times :D.

ed rader

[FlyingPhotog]

I fly twice a week, 35-40 weeks a year and I always have at least one dSLR and 3 to 5 lenses with me + speedlight and other stuff (and a laptop.)

I've been doing this for nearly 15 years now and I've only ever been asked to show my camera gear one time. In of all places, Florence, South Carolina. I guess Florence is a known hotbed of terrorism... :lol:

The one issue you may want to double check is: Weight Limitations for carry on luggage.

[LowriderS10]

I fly, on average, once or twice a week and they swab my laptop I'd say every second or third time, but have only had my camera swabbed once...by some moron I almost got in a fight with because she kept trying to open my backpack while standing up and wouldn't listen when I told her to lay it down (so stuff doesn't fall out.) When she didn't listen I just reached over and laid it down while she was unzipping it...that didn't go over so well lol.

[fishfoto]

There is nothing to worry about when flying with your gear. Pack easily so you can repack your gear should you need it be removed at swabbed. It happens, nothing to worry about.

Do you know what aircraft you are flying on? When flying on a regional jet you should adjust your packing, but still no problem. I have safely and comfortably around the world on all sorts or aircraft with my gear.

For some detailed info on traveling with your gear feel free to visit www.flyingwithfish.com

Happy Flying!

[JohnnyEgo]

I fly pretty frequently. Oddly enough, my laptop has yet to be swabbed or examined, but in the last five flights I've taken, they swabbed my camera. At any rate, aside from arriving a few minutes early to allow for any extra screening, I don't think you should have any worries.

[LowriderS10]

I fly pretty frequently. Oddly enough, my laptop has yet to be swabbed or examined, but in the last five flights I've taken, they swabbed my camera. At any rate, aside from arriving a few minutes early to allow for any extra screening, I don't think you should have any worries.

try having a foreign name ;) You'll get that sh!t swabbed every time...I love it :)

[JohnnyEgo]

try having a foreign name ;) You'll get that sh!t swabbed every time...I love it :)

It's kind of ironic, actually. I am big into guns. I fly with them all the time to various competitions. I have once come through the security checkpoint still partially covered in mud and reeking of gun powder. And I've been waived right on through every time.

Meanwhile, I show up in khaki pants and a collared shirt and my camera gets swabbed. One of my coworkers and good friends is a sihk, and wears the turbin. Even though we live in a world without profiling, he gets 'randomly selected' for screening every time. Try explaining the difference between a sihk and a muslim to a TSA agent in a crowded security line sometime if you really want to be the center of attention...

[Doublea17]

I fly about every other week and have my camera gear in a backpack and never had a problem with security at small airports or big ones like LAX.

[kjhart0133]

And don't store spare batteries in your check-in luggage; keep spare batteries in your carry-on.

Batteries aside, don't put anything of value in your checked luggage. It is almost certain to get stolen.

[LowriderS10]

It's kind of ironic, actually. I am big into guns. I fly with them all the time to various competitions. I have once come through the security checkpoint still partially covered in mud and reeking of gun powder. And I've been waived right on through every time.

Meanwhile, I show up in khaki pants and a collared shirt and my camera gets swabbed. One of my coworkers and good friends is a sihk, and wears the turbin. Even though we live in a world without profiling, he gets 'randomly selected' for screening every time. Try explaining the difference between a sihk and a muslim to a TSA agent in a crowded security line sometime if you really want to be the center of attention...


Thanks for the post, I got a good laugh out of it ;) "Even though we live in a world without profiling..." haha...

- My car gets searched almost every time I cross the border...they've yet to find anything illegal
- My taxes get audited EVERY year...I've yet to cheat on my taxes
- My g/f's mom (born in Croatia) got audited every year...'till she married a man with an Irish name. Hasn't been audited since
- My dad used to have two stickers on the trunk of his car: A Canadian flag and a Hungarian flag. Used to get pulled over for nothing all the time. I took the Hungarian flag off of it one day about 6 or 7 years ago. Hasn't been pulled over since.

I could go on, but I think you get the picture lol...

[DavidSR]

Ok, I have never been in a plane with my DSLR..and I'm confused when I see the term "swabbed"..what gets swabbed and why? Sorry if my question is a little off topic.

Thank you!

[Sean]

You might have to take it out and turn it on, or you might not. It varies, I didn't have to on my way TO Germany, but on the way BACK I did. Different people, different times. I was actually WAY harder to get back to Canada from Germany than vice versa.

[JohnnyEgo]

Ok, I have never been in a plane with my DSLR..and I'm confused when I see the term "swabbed"..what gets swabbed and why? Sorry if my question is a little off topic.

Thank you!

It's an explosives swab. I've seen two variants, one looks like a q-tip, the other is more of a wet-wipe. They simply run the swabs over the outside of your camera to test for any explosive residue.

[fishfoto]

Ok, I have never been in a plane with my DSLR..and I'm confused when I see the term "swabbed"..what gets swabbed and why? Sorry if my question is a little off topic.

Thank you!

David,

If you are unfamiliar with airport security, may I suggest you read the following link? It may explain something when flying with your gear for the first time.

http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2008/11/26/holiday-season-airport-security-reminder-part-2-of-2-anatomy-of-an-airport-security-checkpoint/

You may know all the the info already, but if not, it can't hurt to keep this info in the back of your head

[SuzyView]

Maybe it's because I'm a middle-aged woman with kids, but I never get stopped when I take my think tank with 35 pounds of camera gear inside, a laptop and other stuff like a tripod bag. It's really not a problem.

[DavidSR]

It's an explosives swab. I've seen two variants, one looks like a q-tip, the other is more of a wet-wipe. They simply run the swabs over the outside of your camera to test for any explosive residue.

Thanks for the info.! I thought it might be something like you mentioned but wasn't sure.

David,

If you are unfamiliar with airport security, may I suggest you read the following link? It may explain something when flying with your gear for the first time.

http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2008/11/26/holiday-season-airport-security-reminder-part-2-of-2-anatomy-of-an-airport-security-checkpoint/

You may know all the the info already, but if not, it can't hurt to keep this info in the back of your head

Thanks! I will definately have to read this.

[LowriderS10]

Funny story about the swab. The ex and I were @ the Toronto airport a few yrs ago when we went through security and they swabbed her video camera.

Ex: What are they doing?
Me: Checking for traces of chemicals used in the production of bombs.
Security guy: Sir, I'm gonna have to ask you not to use that word.
Me: What...bombs?
Security guy: Sir, this is your final warning.

haha...I wasn't trying to be a dick, I just didn't even know they got so touchy about mentioning the word and was confused lol (they've actually relaxed those rules and they can't take you into custody for just saying the word unless you're uttering a threat, but back then I was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to getting my ass whizzed off to a little room with 2-way mirrors lol)

[Evan Idler]

I have never had a problem with flying with my camera gear. And the only place that has ever opened up my camera bag to check anything is the Edmonton International Airport, before they got their newer X-Ray equipment. I sometimes fly with both a backpack and a small rolling bag full of equipment and my laptop. And the only place that ever objected to anything I ever had in my luggage was in Mexico. I wasn't allowed to carry a package of AA batteries thru security, I had to buy a new package inside, but the bottle of tequila in the same bag was fine ;-)

--Evan

[RPCrowe]

I have had no problems flying with multiple cameras and lenses as carry-on luggage.

Security at the Alaska Airlines Boarding in LAX told me that I would not have been allowed on the plane carrying my monopod because it was a "club-like" implement. Suspecting that this would be the case, I had packed the monopod in my checked baggage.

However, when returning; I asked the security guard at Anchorage about a monopod, his answer was, "No problem, people carry them aboard every day!"

[FlyingPhotog]

I have had no problems flying with multiple cameras and lenses as carry-on luggage.

Security at the Alaska Airlines Boarding in LAX told me that I would not have been allowed on the plane carrying my monopod because it was a "club-like" implement. Suspecting that this would be the case, I had packed the monopod in my checked baggage.

However, when returning; I asked the security guard at Anchorage about a monopod, his answer was, "No problem, people carry them aboard every day!"

Funny they balked at a monopod 'cause tripods are totally ok...

Your tax dollars at work. :rolleyes:

[fishfoto]

Monopods are classified as 'photographic equipment' by the TSA, and are allowed on provided there is no snow-spiked foot.

I have discussed the oddity of allowing a monopod on in depth with a number of TSA officials at the agencies HQ in Virginia. Unofficially, they all acknowledge the inconsistent nature of the TSA is frustrating. While you may have been questioned at LAX's Terminal 3 (where Alaska Airlines flies from), it is highly likely no one would have blinked at other terminals, or even at the next security lane within T3.

[FlyingPhotog]

Don't worry, the new guy will fix it all... ;)

[zelseman]

Don't worry, the new guy will fix it all... ;)
Yea thats what they said 8 years ago too. lol
I havent had trouble before with photo or video equipment.
The only time i have ever been checked was at the infamous terminal 5 in London. Had to take every bit of my gear out on a table.

[Mark]

Only ever had to open up my bags/had some TSA idiot stare my pelican case trying to figure out how to open, and when I try to tell them they say I'm not allowed to say/do anything to them... at HKG (do it for all flights leaving to places with the fluids rule I think though), IAD, NWA terminal at JFK, and DTW (where they acted like complete asses about it) Never had any worries in Australia (even though my case is clearly over weight :))
At DTW they spent about 3 minutes trying to figure out how to open my case, then finally after I had tried to tell them how, asked me to open it... then they put it all through the explosive swab, THEN through the xray, in seperate trays!
But at CWA someone I was flying with had their laptop bubble wrapped left it in one of the trays on the 'unsecure' side, then once while putting themselves back together realised they forgot their laptop, asked for it and the TSA guys just took it and gave it to him, without even xraying it, at the same airport they let me through with a bottle (which actually was saline solution) with a handwritten label saying 'Saline Solution, 250mL' like how can at one place, after having determined there were no explosive, xray every bit separately, and at another forget to xray things, and let me through with a bottle of what could be anything :rolleyes:

[DigitalSpecialist]

I have had my camera gear unpacked a few times, mainly because I am in and out of NYC. My biggest problem is that I have the same name as a TSA offender. Try flying with the same name as a guy who likes to pack fire works in his luggage!!! It took six months, and some serious letter writing to get that problem solved!

[LowriderS10]

The whole idea is ridiculous...seriously, if someone's gonna blow up a plane, they're gonna do it. It's really funny 'cuz they confiscated my shaving cream (the first time I flew after the new rules and wasn't aware of the liquid limits), but not the razor with FIVE extra blades I had in the same pocket of my bag...that makes perfect sense.

They also swabbed my laptop, but didn't care about the 40 or so AA batteries I was carrying...(I was shooting my friend's wedding)

[Sp00ks]

I fly with my equipment on a regular basis. I've only ever had a couple of problems and never been swabbed. My boss fertilized his lawn the day before and must have touched his laptop. I didn't think he was ever going to get out of that one.

I get "randomly selected" when I have to book and fly the same day every time. They don't like hoody's at all. That is sure to get you a pat down or worse. "Sir your to bulky" They also don't joke, I've tried. I'll leave the "bulky" reply to your imagination :) "Is this rubber glove random selected?", "Careful I"m tickelish", "You've done this before" "Can we do that again?" I think I have only ever got 1 half smile but I keep trying. They can't like their job but there is not reason to be so grouchy. The only time my carry on was "randomly selected", I was wearing a ball cap and a hoody.

I want to know why TSA searches my check bag every time. I always find those little fliers in my bag but have never had anything stolen. I checked an old laptop, power converter, two laptop power supplies and a small bottle of hand sanitizer on this last trip and every pocket in my suitcase had a flier. Normally it is just clothes and sundries.

Ah the joy's of travel. I usually have more trouble with passengers than TSA.

[ancientsanskrit]

My only experience worth noting is when a TSA agent asked me to take off my lens. I told him I'm going to do this very quickly and he better take a quick look. Try explaining sensor dust to a TSA agent being a fellow brown man! If I had my trusty rocket blower on me, he might have believed me, but good luck taking something like a rocket blower on a plane.

TSA agent: "Sir, what is that device."
POTN'er: "Uhhh...it's a device used to blow dust particles away from the innards of the camera."
TSA: "What? What is it called?"
POTN'er: "A bulbous pneumatic device."
TSA: "Excuse me....in English."
POTN'er: "IT'S A FRIGGIN' ROCKET BLOWER."
TSA: on intercom, "Requesting back-up, we've got a problem here."
"Uhmmm, sir, we're going to request you pull your pants down. We're going to be probing you with a handmade device!"
POTN'er: "Can I atleast put the lens back on my camera!"

Ahhh...I'm bored.

[Lowner]

True story from an air stewardess I was teaching to sail (at least she swore it was true):

She arrived at JFK with a banana in her bag that she had a chance to eat and had stupidly forgotton to throw away.

The local uniforms discover said banana and start bitching about how she should know better, blah, blah.

While the lecture drones on, she reaches to pick up the banana, intending to eat it and thus not be guilty of importing this dangerous foreign fruit into the pure USA.

The official immediately drew his gun and spoke these words "Maam, Step Away From The Banana"!

Only in America!

[fishfoto]

Richard,

I have heard this same story, more than once, from various travellers and US CBP Agents. Urban Myth.

I was however once stopped by US Customs (before iy was CBP) at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) where US pax undergo customs before departing Canada,while traveling with a few dozen Tim Hortons donuts. I was stopped by a fresh from the academy agent (which is very odd to encounter at YYZ) who informed me I was seeking to enter the US with to many donughts based upon commercial cumulative weight of the baked goods (it took his supervisor nearly 10 minutes to even find out what this agent was saying to me by looking up the rules, which are intended for commercial resale of the baked goods). The supervisor weighed my donuts, then weighed one donut and suggested that I eat four just to make the agent happy.

I ate four old fashioned glazed, my donuts were weighed again by the wet behind the ears Customs Agent and I was allowed through.

The supervisor and other agents were laughing, as was I.

No guns drawn....but a United States Federal Agent had me eat four donuts.

[Lowner]

fishfoto,

I can almost match that: We flew into New York (cannot remember which airport) and stood in line to show our passports. When it was my turn I handed over mine and it was handed straight back to me and I started walking to catch my wife up. I was surprised when he called me back and repeated his "passport please" routine, but mentally shrugged and gave it to him again, and again had it handed back.

This happened a third time and only then did he demand that I "open it" for him at the photo page! That man should not be allowed out unsupervised, hes mad. And worse, he's mad with an official uniform!

[Haribo]

My only experience worth noting is when a TSA agent asked me to take off my lens. I told him I'm going to do this very quickly and he better take a quick look. Try explaining sensor dust to a TSA agent being a fellow brown man! If I had my trusty rocket blower on me, he might have believed me, but good luck taking something like a rocket blower on a plane.

TSA agent: "Sir, what is that device."
POTN'er: "Uhhh...it's a device used to blow dust particles away from the innards of the camera."
TSA: "What? What is it called?"
POTN'er: "A bulbous pneumatic device."
TSA: "Excuse me....in English."
POTN'er: "IT'S A FRIGGIN' ROCKET BLOWER."
TSA: on intercom, "Requesting back-up, we've got a problem here."
"Uhmmm, sir, we're going to request you pull your pants down. We're going to be probing you with a handmade device!"
POTN'er: "Can I atleast put the lens back on my camera!"

Ahhh...I'm bored.

I've travelled with a rocket blower in my bag a few times...no problems. Although they were interested in the two crystal shot glasses I had in my camera bag the last time I flew from the UK...apparently they looked like binoculars on the xray :rolleyes:

[Mark]

Ridiculus how they screen the pilots just the same as the pax...

If a pilot wanted to bring down his plane I don't think he would use a friggin bomb!
:rolleyes:

[H0LLYW00D]

made in to California, no problem once i get back home ill make a thread for the pics that i took on my trip, thanks again everyone.

[LowriderS10]

I fly with my equipment on a regular basis. I've only ever had a couple of problems and never been swabbed. My boss fertilized his lawn the day before and must have touched his laptop. I didn't think he was ever going to get out of that one.

I get "randomly selected" when I have to book and fly the same day every time. They don't like hoody's at all. That is sure to get you a pat down or worse. "Sir your to bulky" They also don't joke, I've tried. I'll leave the "bulky" reply to your imagination :) "Is this rubber glove random selected?", "Careful I"m tickelish", "You've done this before" "Can we do that again?" I think I have only ever got 1 half smile but I keep trying. They can't like their job but there is not reason to be so grouchy. The only time my carry on was "randomly selected", I was wearing a ball cap and a hoody.

Ah the joy's of travel. I usually have more trouble with passengers than TSA.


haha...most of the time they search me I ask for a full cavity search...that seems to make them pack up and tell me to move on :D

[keitaro]

haha...most of the time they search me I ask for a full cavity search...that seems to make them pack up and tell me to move on :D

better yet, start undoing your belt and prentend your gonna drop your pants right there :D

[abqXT]

I recommend packing your camera, gear, and anything else important in carry-on bags instead of check in. Every once in a while, I notice stuff missing from my check in bags that I KNOW I had packed.

[LowriderS10]

better yet, start undoing your belt and prentend your gonna drop your pants right there :D

hahaha...great idea...I'm flying in about 10 days...gonna remember that ;)

The first time I went through after the new liquid rules I didn't know about it...so they made me ditch my big can of Full Throttle energy drink...I figured I'm not giving them my $3 drink, so I stepped out of line, slammed it back and gave them the empty can haha