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08/24/2004 02:45:43 PM · #1 |
Haven't seen any recent threads on traveling with cameras and related equip.
What's the current climate for carrying on US domestic flights?
I usually travel by car, but will be flying some. I have a back pack style camera case, and usually have my tripper drive and flash (with metal mount bracket) in it. I suppose I'd have to put my tripod & monopod into my checked luggage.
Should I just request a hand check right away?
Thanks for any advice. |
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08/24/2004 02:54:59 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by JC_Homola:
Haven't seen any recent threads on traveling with cameras and related equip.
What's the current climate for carrying on US domestic flights?
I usually travel by car, but will be flying some. I have a back pack style camera case, and usually have my tripper drive and flash (with metal mount bracket) in it. I suppose I'd have to put my tripod & monopod into my checked luggage.
Should I just request a hand check right away?
Thanks for any advice. |
1) You can actually now have ONE bag and another "personal item" as carry-on. The persoanl item could well be a camera bag.
2) If you are using film - there are many NEW X-ray machines that will mess with it - BOTH in carry on and especially in checked baggage. Carry the film out of containers, in clear plastic bags. Yes ask for a hand check.
3) It's best to have tripods in checked bags. There was twice last year that they would not let me take it as carry on (a pretty heavy Bogen, said it could be used like a club.) There were probably another dozen trips that I carried it as carryon, no problem.
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08/24/2004 03:07:21 PM · #3 |
I'm flying to Ohio tomorrow night to see my sister
on her 50th Birthday.
(1 day trip)
I will have my camera in hand and carry my camera bag.
They can scan the bag all day long, but the camera
does NOT go on the conveyor belt and as I have always
asked for in the past, was to hand inspect it.
Tripods are best packed in a tube and checked.
So far I have only had one instance where they were
nitwits and MADE me put the camera through the conveyor
belt. CF and SM cards came out and were passed around the
metal detector, and I MADE them find something soft and
stable to put the camera on though.
It was the same nitwits that were starting to make an
issue over the jeweler's screwdriver set I have in the bag.
I can see the headlines now - Troll amateur photographer
attempted to hijack a plane yesterday, armed with a jeweler's
screwdriver set and a bright flash - film at 11....
Oh brother!
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08/24/2004 03:11:46 PM · #4 |
My latest online photography lesson discusses this. You can see it here if you scroll to the bottom and look under "Tips on Travel Photography".
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08/24/2004 03:15:02 PM · #5 |
While you are certainly supposed to be able to have one carry on and one personal item, I wouldn't always assume this is true. I certainly would try to avoid depending on it.
On a recent flight I was on, it was so busy that people were being forced to check anything that wouldn't fit under the seat in front of them, as all the bin space was taken with about 2/3rds of the people on board the flight. In fact, they were saying that they couldn't even check the items in the hold on that particular plane, but it would be on the next plane to that destination. I wouldn't be happy if my camera was put in that situation (!)
If I'm carrying on much, I make a special effort to get on first. One of the few useful perks of having platinum status is walking on in the first boarding group, no matter where your seat is.
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08/24/2004 03:19:40 PM · #6 |
I just send my bag, cameras and all, through the Xray. My bag is small enough to fit under the seat (barely). It's much easier now than back in the film days. Try waiting around for security to hand inspect 500 rolls of film.
I put my tripod in a small tripod bag and send it along with the camera.
Admittedly, my tripod is not that big. (Bogen 3001 Pro)
Some people are uptight about having their cameras Xrayed, but I'd be more worried about a butterfingered security guard dropping my camera during a hand check than what could happen to it secured inside a padded camera bag on a conveyer.
I would not check my cameras ever unless they were insured (allowing for immediate replacement) and locked inside a fitted, well-padded, waterproof Pelican case.
Message edited by author 2004-08-24 15:28:32. |
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08/24/2004 03:21:54 PM · #7 |
| I fly frequently with my camera, I have never had a bit of trouble. I always carry my equipment on the plane with me though. |
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08/24/2004 04:17:45 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Some people are uptight about having their cameras Xrayed, but I'd be more worried about a butterfingered security guard dropping my camera during a hand check than what could happen to it secured inside a padded camera bag on a conveyer.
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My backpack/camera got randomly (uh-huh) selected for a hand inspection after coming through the x-ray. It was mostly fine, though with the 'don't touch the bag at all while I'm searching it' warning, and then watching them poke and prod at rather fragile things was a bit stressful. In particular, I'll remember not to pack filters in rip nylon pouches, as, rather than open it like a sensible person, this inspector decided it would just be easier to poke and press it right in the middle of the glass a few times...
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08/24/2004 04:44:57 PM · #9 |
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08/24/2004 05:25:57 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Some people are uptight about having their cameras Xrayed, but I'd be more worried about a butterfingered security guard dropping my camera during a hand check than what could happen to it secured inside a padded camera bag on a conveyer.
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My backpack/camera got randomly (uh-huh) selected for a hand inspection after coming through the x-ray. It was mostly fine, though with the 'don't touch the bag at all while I'm searching it' warning, and then watching them poke and prod at rather fragile things was a bit stressful. In particular, I'll remember not to pack filters in rip nylon pouches, as, rather than open it like a sensible person, this inspector decided it would just be easier to poke and press it right in the middle of the glass a few times... |
There are codes on your boarding pass that let security know if you are to get "special" treatment. Of course the TSA (or whoever) have discretion to pick additional lucky contestants/bags as well. You should be glad you didn't win the free cavity search lottery.
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08/31/2004 10:45:04 PM · #11 |
I almost forgot that I was going to report back.
Camera bag never searched on the way there.
I was "selected" for secondary inspection on the
return flight and had to verify the camera worked,
let them poke around in my 2 bags, and was not allowed
to bring my jeweler's screwdriver set on board.
They kept appologizing and I had no problem with them
ditching the screwdriver set (cheap to replace) as it
is policy that no tools can be carried on board, as they
said, "you know, the cockpit door and such".
At least they were professional, very courteous and gentle
when it came to looking in the camera and the bag.
CF and SM cards were in hand as the camera went through
the conveyor belt though. Not taking chances there!
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