How to keep your photo gear safe on a plane

[mensur]

Rather innovative idea I believe.


If you want to keep your checked valuables from being stolen while you fly, just keep a gun in your suitcase.

Many airports won't let you effectively lock your suitcases when you fly, and the new limits on carry-on luggage thanks to moisture-terror-hysteria mean it's open season for unscrupulous TSA employees and baggage handlers who want to help themselves to expensive cameras and other valuable in checked bags.

But once you add a gun -- even a starter pistol -- to your luggage, it gets extra-locked, gains new tracking privileges, and is subject to heightened scrutiny all the way to your destination.

A "weapons" is defined as a rifle, shotgun, pistol, airgun, and STARTER PISTOL. Yes, starter pistols - those little guns that fire blanks at track and swim meets - are considered weapons...and do NOT have to be registered in any state in the United States.

I have a starter pistol for all my cases. All I have to do upon check-in is tell the airline ticket agent that I have a weapon to declare...I'm given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me.

That's the procedure. The case is extra-tracked...TSA does not want to lose a weapons case. This reduces the chance of the case being lost to virtually zero.

It's a great way to travel with camera gear...I've been doing this since Dec 2001 and have had no problems whatsoever.


http://www.boingboing.net/2006/09/24/secure-your-checked-.html

I've always taken my photo gear in carry-on but that can get rather burdensome. I think I'll buy a cheap airsoft pistol to place in the bag of anything I have containing valuables. If any issues come up that prevent me from traveling with it the pistol isn't so valuable that I couldn't just hand it over to the TSA.

It's easier than one might think to fly with guns, at least within the US. I have a friend who does it every year. He says it also gets him through long lines faster.

Bad idea. I really think that the OP should put in their first line that this applies to America only.

Good point.

[asysin2leads]

This could be interesting.

[GoWolfpack]

I've heard this before. Somewhere floating around the ether of the interwebs is a lengthy video detailing all the proper procedures for flying with firearms (an airsoft pistol will not fall into that category). The video was done by some electronics geeks who travel with lots of expensive equipment.

Checked baggage containing firearms is the only baggage that the owner must be present for the TSA or the airline to open. That means you can securely lock your gear in with a firearm and be assured that you have the only key and it won't be opened again unless you open it. No other baggage is this secure. They will leave your baggage behind rather than open it without you present if you're traveling with a firearm.

We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft

[ssim]

I've heard of this before and it should work just fine for intra USA travel but once you start going transborder or international you are in the same boat as everyone else. From what I can see the carry on regulations have been relaxed to pretty much what they were before the latest terror attempt. By this I am referring to photo gear only. I have been traveling with camera gear, both carry on and checked and have never lost anything or had it damaged. Most years I had well over 100 legs of travel.

[dovaka]

i travel pretty much everywhere with either a sig p226 or a glock 23 and i have done this whenever i have had to check photo gear. you cant believe how laps they are about guns at the airport most of the people could barely care less and there is only a index card you have to fill out for added paperwork
p.s. tell the gate check clerk you have a firearm "dont ever say gun" that you need to check and you get to cut the entire line regardless of how many people are waiting

[kgoings]

i travel pretty much everywhere with either a sig p226 or a glock 23 and i have done this whenever i have had to check photo gear. you cant believe how laps they are about guns at the airport most of the people could barely care less and there is only a index card you have to fill out for added paperwork
p.s. tell the gate check clerk you have a firearm "dont ever say gun" that you need to check and you get to cut the entire line regardless of how many people are waiting

When you say tell the gate check clerk...are you talking about the TSA people where everyone is checked...or the Ticket counter?

[dovaka]

When you say tell the gate check clerk...are you talking about the TSA people where everyone is checked...or the Ticket counter?
the ticket coutner people for your airline

[dovaka]

this is literally the entire process
tell the gate check people at the curb for your airline that you want to check a firearm
they have someone there walk you inside to the main luggage check with 1000 people at it
they walk you around the whole thing threw the side generally and they stand there with you
once the next counter agent is free they walk you up there and tell them what you want to do
the person that walked you over now goes back to whatever he was doing
the counter person calls a tsa agent up and has you fill out a index card meant for checking a firearm it has general info on it in case it gets lost they can definitely know who it belongs to
well your waiting for the tsa agent which generally isnt long they check the rest of your normal luggage this also includes any one that is with you ie family and what not but its also worked for friends that have been with me
this part varies greatly depending on the airport but it will range from the tsa agent having you open the firearm case looking at it putting your index card in there and then have you lock it and the most i ever had to do was take it out of the case and field strip it to prove that it was completely unloaded but 95% of the time they just look in the case and they will never touch it them selves
at this point the tsa agent will tell you to lock the case with real padlocks "this is a requirement not to use tsa locks" and he puts a special colored tag that indicates it has a firearm in it without saying that and they take it away
you finish up the normal check in process and your off to the rest of the airport goodness of metal detectors as usual

[yogestee]

Absolutely stupid.. This guy has never flown internationally..

Even if he gets his check in luggage through at the US end he will be stopped for importing arms at the other end.. Could lead to a huge fine or a stay in the big house..

Try flying into Australia with a large knife or even an ornamental sword in your luggage.. You will stopped, the weapon confiscated and possibly a large fine.. Most countries just don't what some yokel walking the streets with a weapon toy or not..

[Karl Johnston]

How can you take a gun on the plane but you can't take a bottle of water? What the hell is the world coming to? Who's designing these rules anyway?

[dovaka]

Absolutely stupid.. This guy has never flown internationally..

Even if he gets his check in luggage through at the US end he will be stopped for importing arms at the other end.. Could lead to a huge fine or a stay in the big house..

Try flying into Australia with a large knife or even an ornamental sword in your luggage.. You will stopped, the weapon confiscated and possibly a large fine.. Most countries just don't what some yokel walking the streets with a weapon toy or not..

yes i forgot to state that this only works in places where your legally allowed to have whatever you checked in your luggage at your destination. i pretty much only travel within the US so it works just fine for me

[dovaka]

How can you take a gun on the plane but you can't take a bottle of water? What the hell is the world coming to? Who's designing these rules anyway?
you cant bring it as carry on you have to check it which you could also do with water if you wanted but the tsa is just a big false sense of security anyway

[IslandCrow]

Now, that is an innovative idea. Of course, the airline did manage to lose my M-4 on a flight (OK, not mine, but the military's). They were definitely extra motivated to locate it, though. Of course, we probably don't want this to get out too much, or the airlines are going to start wondering why half their passengers are now flying with weapons in their checked bags ;)

[TheReal7]

Today's top story, Photographers around the country are engaging in terrorist activities. A bill to ban all camera gear on planes is being pushing through the senate.

[Mike]

Bad idea. I really think that the OP should put in their first line that this applies to America only.

[Karl Johnston]

you cant bring it as carry on you have to check it which you could also do with water if you wanted but the tsa is just a big false sense of security anyway
Ohhh
I think we do that in canada too..or used to.

[unmanedpilot]

Bad idea. I really think that the OP should put in their first line that this applies to America only.

He should have, unfortunately many Americans forget there's an entire would out there when they write things like this. :rolleyes:


Clever idea for sure! May just try this someday.

[mensur]

He should have

Actually I edited my post yesterday to include that ;)

[yogestee]

unfortunately many Americans forget there's an entire would out there when they write things like this.



Amen..

[unmanedpilot]

Actually I edited my post yesterday to include that ;)

I meant the author of the article not you :cool:

[dovaka]

I meant the author of the article not you :cool:
they definitely should of at least put a disclaimer to check all the laws in the places you will be traveling to make sure you comply. im sure there are other countries you can do this since the US isnt the only place that has similar gun laws

[yogestee]

im sure there are other countries you can do this since the US isnt the only place that has similar gun laws

There used to be a sign in Immigration at Phnom Penh International Airport some years ago,, "Please don't bring arms into Cambodia, we have enough already"...

[racketman]

i'd love to see the look on their faces if you casually mentioned you had a firearm to declare at Heathrow:)

[ssim]

I'd love to see the look on the passengers face after he casually mentions a firearm. You just don't casually mention that at security unless you are serious. If you mention it and don't have one my bet is you are going away in handcuffs.

[neilwood32]

i'd love to see the look on their faces if you casually mentioned you had a firearm to declare at Heathrow:)

I think you would have an urgent appointment with a couple of gentlemen from the Met Police. with a visit by MI5 and Special Branch following at a short interval. There may or may not be a personal introduction into alternative uses for rubber gloves.:eek::o:lol::lol:

[MrLA]

Originally Posted by TSA Regulations
We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft

in '03 on my return trip from O'Hare airport, the TSA opened my check-in lagguages, they didn't informed me. they pried them open, with a crow bar i think, then inserted TSA slips that they had opened my bags. They RUINED my Samonite's. Went to UA Customer service counter they didn't want to have anything to do with it. BASTARDS. :(

[Jon]

Originally Posted by TSA Regulations
We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft

in '03 on my return trip from O'Hare airport, the TSA opened my check-in lagguages, they didn't informed me. they pried them open, with a crow bar i think, then inserted TSA slips that they had opened my bags. They RUINED my Samonite's. Went to UA Customer service counter they didn't want to have anything to do with it. BASTARDS. :(
Two different things. The TSA Regs you quote deal with transporting firearms. Any and all other luggage they may open by whatever means necessary if they need to do a visual examination, and you have no recourse. They have no obligation to notify you either. That's why you're advised to use TSA-approved locks on your bags; TSA, HMCS and other transportation security organizations have the necessary master keys to unlock them so your luggage can be relocked when they're done.

[shmoogy]

It's an interesting idea but I would be worried about being added to some watch list if you try to do this. Might be more trouble than it's worth further down the line.

[Pmolan]

Try flying into Australia with a large knife or even an ornamental sword in your luggage.. You will stopped, the weapon confiscated and possibly a large fine..

http://www.threemoviebuffs.com/openimages/crocodiledundee2.jpg

How do you explain how this got into the US and back to Australia in part 2? :)

[hollis_f]

http://www.threemoviebuffs.com/openimages/crocodiledundee2.jpg

How do you explain how this got into the US and back to Australia in part 2? :)

You call that a large knife! :)

[yogestee]

http://www.threemoviebuffs.com/openimages/crocodiledundee2.jpg

How do you explain how this got into the US and back to Australia in part 2? :)

I hope you're not being serious??

[dovaka]

It's an interesting idea but I would be worried about being added to some watch list if you try to do this. Might be more trouble than it's worth further down the line.

i cant really see it causing a problem unless there is some other reason why they should be looking at you. if anything i get less scrutiny and ive been doing this for years not just for camera gear but i always travel with a handgun for work.

[tonyniev]

Beware, even if only traveling in America, you have to check if the state/city you are flying into is gun friendly or you may end up in jail. You have to check the law of the city and airport...no Washington DC, Detroit, etc. If you must, then read "Travelers Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States" by J.Scott Knapps.

I normally travel with my 45 cal semi automatic pistol and I can carry concealed in 31 states, BUT I will not bring my firearm to some places like New Jersey or New York. There was a case of a diverted airline going to Florida and the passengers and luggage were unloaded in Newark NJ because of mechanical trouble. The next day after spending the night in a motel provided by the airline, one of the passengers rechecking his luggage with a firearm was arrested. He spent at least day in jail, before posting bail and the NRA supported him in his trial. Fortunately he was acquitted else he may spend some years in jail.

When I traveled cross country by car I had my pistols and rifle , even loaded and concealed in most states, all the way to Maryland and back to Las Vegas , but did not cross NJ to NY with it. Left them in MD.

[dovaka]

Beware, even if only traveling in America, you have to check if the state/city you are flying into is gun friendly or you may end up in jail. You have to check the law of the city and airport...no Washington DC, Detroit, etc. If you must, then read "Travelers Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States" by J.Scott Knapps.

I normally travel with my 45 cal semi automatic pistol and I can carry concealed in 31 states, BUT I will not bring my firearm to some places like New Jersey or New York. There was a case of a diverted airline going to Florida and the passengers and luggage were unloaded in Newark NJ because of mechanical trouble. The next day after spending the night in a motel provided by the airline, one of the passengers rechecking his luggage with a firearm was arrested. He spent at least day in jail, before posting bail and the NRA supported him in his trial. Fortunately he was acquitted else he may spend some years in jail.

When I traveled cross country by car I had my pistols and rifle , even loaded and concealed in most states, all the way to Maryland and back to Las Vegas , but did not cross NJ to NY with it. Left them in MD.

im not sure how it would work with planes but if your driving then under federal law your allowed to drive threw any state as long as you can legally carry in the origin and destination states

[400dabuser]

Oh well, shame it isn't legal to carry guns in the UK, would of used that method to get all my gear safely :)

[400dabuser]

http://www.threemoviebuffs.com/openimages/crocodiledundee2.jpg

How do you explain how this got into the US and back to Australia in part 2? :)

Yeah, it is only a movie, not real life:)

[dovaka]

Yeah, it is only a movie, not real life:)

i believe Australia does have some pretty crazy knife laws depending on what part of the country your in you cant even carry a small pocket knife without "good reason"

[yogestee]

i believe Australia does have some pretty crazy knife laws depending on what part of the country your in you cant even carry a small pocket knife without "good reason"

Not crazy at all.. Carrying a knife with a blade longer than 50mm is illegal in all states in any public place or where the public might gather..

One thing that Aussies value more than anything is their safety and security.. Safe in the knowledge that the guy sitting beside them in a train isn't carry a knife or gun..

[dovaka]

Not crazy at all.. Carrying a knife with a blade longer than 50mm is illegal in all states in any public place or where the public might gather..

One thing that Aussies value more than anything is their safety and security.. Safe in the knowledge that the guy sitting beside them in a train isn't carry a knife or gun..

considering thats less then 2 inches i consider that rediculous as pretty much every little pocket knife i own would be illegal there

and just because its illegal wouldnt give me the slightest bit of a safe feeling since criminals dont obey laws.

[skydiver_8]

Ohhh
I think we do that in canada too..or used to.

I don't think that your license includes other Provinces...I know when I was a police officer and had to travel across the Country, we'd have to get authorized for that jurisdiction.

[yogestee]

wouldnt give me the slightest bit of a safe feeling since criminals dont obey laws

You make it sound like there are criminals carrying guns around every street corner,,this is being paranoid..

In Australia we just don't want any Tom, Dick and Harry carrying weapons..

[tonyniev]

im not sure how it would work with planes but if your driving then under federal law your allowed to drive threw any state as long as you can legally carry in the origin and destination states
Not true, not all states have reciprocity, I have both Nevada and Utah permits and I can carry in 31 states concealed, other states allow you to have loaded pistol so long as you have them visible either in the passenger seat or on the dashboard, others you must have it in the glove compartment. In CA you must have it in a locked box in the trunk and unloaded. The law varies by states. With planes you can easily check it in so long as it is legal in the destination state. You need a lawyer to give you advise or read the laws of the state you are going to. This is serious matter.

[tonyniev]

Not crazy at all.. Carrying a knife with a blade longer than 50mm is illegal in all states in any public place or where the public might gather..

One thing that Aussies value more than anything is their safety and security.. Safe in the knowledge that the guy sitting beside them in a train isn't carry a knife or gun..

In Nevada you can carry any knife as long as you show the clip, in other states more than 2 !/2 is illegal...here is what I always carry when I leave home:
my tanto bladed knife, a Glock sub compact 40 cal semi automatic (if nota 45 cal Colt 1911), my blackberry and cash and credit cards:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p150/tonyniev/dontleavehome.jpg

[tonyniev]

Be careful before you bring your firearm, make sure the destination is gun friendly. BTW I can bring my guns to the Philippines for shooting competitions, under the sponsorship of the local IPSC/IDPA clubs.

[dovaka]

You make it sound like there are criminals carrying guns around every street corner,,this is being paranoid..

In Australia we just don't want any Tom, Dick and Harry carrying weapons..

to clarify i can understand this working for guns, if no one has them really then there just arent a lot of them in the country. im sure that any body that wants a knife to carry it around regardless of size is doing so.

[dovaka]

Not true, not all states have reciprocity, I have both Nevada and Utah permits and I can carry in 31 states concealed, other states allow you to have loaded pistol so long as you have them visible either in the passenger seat or on the dashboard, others you must have it in the glove compartment. In CA you must have it in a locked box in the trunk and unloaded. The law varies by states. With planes you can easily check it in so long as it is legal in the destination state. You need a lawyer to give you advise or read the laws of the state you are going to. This is serious matter.

sorry i need to clarify my OP that you can have it in your car unloaded in a locked box in the trunk. in any state as long as you have the licenses in the departure and destination state.
I have 13 CCW permits and can carry in every single state that i possible could and I travel with my gun for my job every single day so i know what the laws are.

[tonyniev]

sorry i need to clarify my OP that you can have it in your car unloaded in a locked box in the trunk. in any state as long as you have the licenses in the departure and destination state.
I have 13 CCW permits and can carry in every single state that i possible could and I travel with my gun for my job every single day so i know what the laws are.

thanks for the clarification, that clears it, but NY and NJ still are doubtful.

[neil_r]

i'd love to see the look on their faces if you casually mentioned you had a firearm to declare at Heathrow:)

I have flown out of Heathrow with a firearm, there is a whole reel of red-tape to get through and all I can say to the OP is that if it speeds things up in the US it has exactly the opposite effect over here.

Here you go...

If you are the holder of a shotgun or firearms certificate and you wish to take your weapons abroad within the EEC, then you will need a European Firearms Pass (EPF). This is issued, free of charge, upon written application to your Firearms Licensing Unit. You will need to specify what weapons you will be taking with you, what country you are visiting and when you intend to visit. A European Firearms Pass cannot have an expiry date later than the expiry date on the firearms or shotgun certificate on which the weapons are held.

If you wish to take your weapons to any other country, whether in or outside the EEC, you should seek advice from the embassy or consulate of that country. Even within the EEC other documents may be required other than your European Firearms Pass.

All weapons must be declared to Customs and to the travel company carrying you, whether by land, sea or air.

Holders of British firearm and shotgun certificates, wishing to take their firearms to Northern Ireland, should be aware that a valid certificate of approval, from the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is also required in addition to their firearm and shotgun certificates.

It should be noted that air weapons are also currently required to be licensed in Northern Ireland, and approval as above is necessary to take them there.

Advice on obtaining approval can be found at http://www.psni.police.uk/index/advice_centre/firearms.htm

[dovaka]

thanks for the clarification, that clears it, but NY and NJ still are doubtful.

yea there are those states where its legal and you wont go to jail but it doesnt stop them from arresting you confiscating everything and making the next year of your life very stressful

[Pmolan]

In Nevada you can carry any knife as long as you show the clip, in other states more than 2 !/2 is illegal...here is what I always carry when I leave home:
my tanto bladed knife, a Glock sub compact 40 cal semi automatic (if nota 45 cal Colt 1911), my blackberry and cash and credit cards:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p150/tonyniev/dontleavehome.jpg

God... Thats amazing how foreign that is to me, almost like the wild west.

[dovaka]

God... Thats amazing how foreign that is to me, almost like the wild west.

i basically carry the same thing except its a droid phone, kershaw knife and a SIG P226 .40

[Todd Lambert]

I'm curious if this procedure could be used for nefarious things, like drugs or bombs.

From the sounds of everyones comments, it's like you could easily stash a bomb in there, tell em it's a handgun, they look in and see the handgun while the bomb is in the bottom of the gun case, unnoticed.

I dunno, it sounds like a good way to smuggle something to me.

[dovaka]

I'm curious if this procedure could be used for nefarious things, like drugs or bombs.

From the sounds of everyones comments, it's like you could easily stash a bomb in there, tell em it's a handgun, they look in and see the handgun while the bomb is in the bottom of the gun case, unnoticed.

I dunno, it sounds like a good way to smuggle something to me.

they still send everything threw the xray machine and all the other bomb detector type things they just arent allowed to open it again without you but if they suspect something in there and they want to open it they will find you and if they cant find you then it wont go on the plane until there satisfied that its safe

[Todd Lambert]

Ok, that makes sense, but what about putting drugs in the gun itself? Seems like that would be a good method, no?

[Disclaimer: I am not advocating this behavior and I do not do drugs - just curious, that's all!]

[tonyniev]

they still send everything threw the xray machine and all the other bomb detector type things they just arent allowed to open it again without you but if they suspect something in there and they want to open it they will find you and if they cant find you then it wont go on the plane until there satisfied that its safe

after you check in your bag at the counter, you have to wait for around 10 minutes to make sure you are not needed to open your bags by the by the TSA xray folks who scanned your checked in luggage.

[dovaka]

Ok, that makes sense, but what about putting drugs in the gun itself? Seems like that would be a good method, no?

[Disclaimer: I am not advocating this behavior and I do not do drugs - just curious, that's all!]

something would still pick that up in any major airport

[dovaka]

after you check in your bag at the counter, you have to wait for around 10 minutes to make sure you are not needed to open your bags by the by the TSA xray folks who scanned your checked in luggage.

ive never waited at the counter and they have never tried to find me to open my case again after i have left and i have literally done this hundreds of times. now that i said that next week ill get the 3rd degree about it for some reason at logan.

[yogestee]

im sure that any body that wants a knife to carry it around regardless of size is doing so.

The ratio of people carrying knives to the population is minute..

In 1996, Martin Bryant killed 35 and seriously wounded 21 people at Port Arthur in Tasmania..There was a huge public outcry and the government dramatically changed gun ownership laws to the relief of the public.. Sure, there was some opposition to the law change but Australians just don't want fire arms on the street.. These laws also included knives and any weapon that could cause harm or death..

[dovaka]

The ratio of people carrying knives to the population is minute..

In 1996, Martin Bryant killed 35 and seriously wounded 21 people at Port Arthur in Tasmania..There was a huge public outcry and the government dramatically changed gun ownership laws to the relief of the public.. Sure, there was some opposition to the law change but Australians just don't want fire arms on the street.. These laws also included knives and any weapon that could cause harm or death..

theres a big difference between guns that are essentially banned for everyone and knives that are completely legal to own but your not suppose to carry it around according to the law. once again ill completly agree with you that banning guns outright will have an effect but saying that knives are totally legal to own but your not suppose to carry it around with you really doesnt accomplish anything. any maniac that wants to go on a 35 person killing spree at the local mall can grab one of a dozen 12" knives out of a drawer in his kitchen on the way out to go do it.

[yogestee]

theres a big difference between guns that are essentially banned for everyone and knives that are completely legal to own but your not suppose to carry it around according to the law. once again ill completly agree with you that banning guns outright will have an effect but saying that knives are totally legal to own but your not suppose to carry it around with you really doesnt accomplish anything. any maniac that wants to go on a 35 person killing spree at the local mall can grab one of a dozen 12" knives out of a drawer in his kitchen on the way out to go do it.

My friend,, I see your point but this is heading into a political argument which I'll try to avoid..

Yes, Martin Bryant was deeply disturbed at the time and still is.. He walked into Port Arthur which is a touristmsite due to its historical significance.. He took random pot shots at people killing 35.. If armed with a knife or knives he would have been over powered after the first attack..

In Australia murders with guns or other weapons make huge news because of their rarity..

[andy0483]

you can own a pistol in ny and nj i have one and i live in ny , your just not allowed to poses any fire arm in the New york CITY area.

[dovaka]

you can own a pistol in ny and nj i have one and i live in ny , your just not allowed to poses any fire arm in the New york CITY area.

there is a big difference on how many states look at resident vs non resident gun's andNJ and NY as well as some other states are known for that