Airline travel with metal bodied cameras

[Stopped Down]

Has anyone done this recently? I have a 1ds that I am taking to Mexico next week. Last year I had a plastic body and I had no problems with security as a carry on. Do I have reason to expect any different with a metal body? I don't have a locking hard case so carry on is the only way it's going...

[CaptainTom]

I've traveled extensively lately. Not with a metal body camera, but I don't see where it will be any sort of problem. They may ask to examine the camera and for you to turn it on and show them it is functional is the only thing I can imagine, unless you are hiding a missile launcher inside your camera bag; and then they might let you through anyways.

[Stopped Down]

I read a thread on dpreview a few months back where someone was complaining about not getting their camera on - so I figured I'd ask.

[sbug_adam]

well, assume they're gonna ask you to operate it so be there EARLY just incase they take a while..

adam

[Stopped Down]

Maybe I should take a modeling release too :)

[AjP]

I did and never had a problem. they ask to open bag, check your equipt and its it. not problemo

[WLPelzmann]

Never been stopped with a 1DsMk2 - domestically.

However, don't take any "tools" as carryon.
Small allen wrenches are considered "tools" and will be confiscated, if detected.
Of course, tripods with large ball heads don't raise an eyebrow.

[Gordon]

I've been stopped twice domestically with a 1DII. They passed it through the scanner 4 times but couldn't see what it was, so wanted to hand inspect it, in California. Pulled everything out of the camera bag in Newark.

I've had occasion to travel to Israel in the past and was told in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't be allowed to take a 1D body on the plane, with El Al, unless they were allowed to disassemble the camera/battery. (i.e., you can't take them, without getting a lot of documentation / approvals)

I've had similar problems in London and Sydney - basically the scanning metal detectors show a 1D as a black mass, and won't penetrate, so they often want to hand inspect everything. Never stopped me getting a flight though, but I tend to turn up quite early just to have a less rushed time through security.

[Stopped Down]

Originally Posted by GordonMcGregor

I've been stopped twice domestically with a 1DII. They passed it through the scanner 4 times but couldn't see what it was, so wanted to hand inspect it, in California. Pulled everything out of the camera bag in Newark.

I've had occasion to travel to Israel in the past and was told in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't be allowed to take a 1D body on the plane, with El Al, unless they were allowed to disassemble the camera/battery. (i.e., you can't take them, without getting a lot of documentation / approvals)

I've had similar problems in London and Sydney - basically the scanning metal detectors show a 1D as a black mass, and won't penetrate, so they often want to hand inspect everything. Never stopped me getting a flight though, but I tend to turn up quite early just to have a less rushed time through security.

Thanks - that's what I was after. I will get there early and have enough room to pack it in an extra bag to check if I get to Mexico and then can't come back with it.

[CaptainTom]

Going to Mexico ??? NO problemo.... You can carry a bazooka into Mexico and not be bothered.
Getting back to the US is also easy... Just hide out in an 18 wheeler....

[engstrom]

Where in Mexico are you going? Coming back to DFW from Cancun the airports screeners did a great job. They hand inspected all carry-on and checked luggage. The screeners had quite a laugh at the expense of a friend of mine whose girlfriend put a few of her...ahem...toys in his luggage. After the hand check of carry-on and checked bags we proceeded to the entrace to the gates where our carry on bags were run through a metal detector AND hand checked again. Finally before going down the walkway to board the plane the passengers were randomly pulled aside to have their carry-ons checked one more time.

I doubt the system for Mexico City and other large airports in Mexico is like this.

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by engstrom

girlfriend put a few of her...ahem...toys in his luggage. After

Moral of the story is to leave the non-photographic toys at home!

[Stopped Down]

I'm flying into Cancun so I should be ok. Surely they get nice cameras there frequently...

[KeepsakeGirl]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Going to Mexico ??? NO problemo.... You can carry a bazooka into Mexico and not be bothered.
Getting back to the US is also easy... Just hide out in an 18 wheeler....

lol...ain't i the truth!

[KeepsakeGirl]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Going to Mexico ??? NO problemo.... You can carry a bazooka into Mexico and not be bothered.
Getting back to the US is also easy... Just hide out in an 18 wheeler....

lol...ain't it the truth!