Flying with Camera Gear/Bag.. Any suggestions?

[mrsrice22]

I thought I read somewhere about someone flying and getting a lot of grief from security for his/her camera bag and gear. Since this will be the first time flying with just about all my gear (body, lenses, tripod, remotes, etc) what can I expect going through security?

I figured I'd pack the non-breakables and check that bag and then put the body and lenses in the camera bag and take as a carry on. Last time we flew, I accidentally "locked" my suitcase and they freaked out, paged me, and wouldn't let me go back to my gate until they searched the entire suitcase... since it was locked. So, if anyone has had any experiences or suggestions on how to travel with your gear, please let me know. The shutter release remote could set off alarms as a detonator, gasp! lol... well it could. :)

Thanks!
Kristina

[Tom]

Anything valuable in the carry-on. Tripods and other cheaper items (if you have to carry it) goes in the checked bag.

If you have to check gear (which the airplanes won't cover) travel with a gun, have your bag inspected by TSA before it is checked and have it sealed.

[mrsrice22]

Thanks Tom (do you prefer Tom?), have you ever heard or experience security digging through your carry-on bag, man handling camera gear? I could have sworn it was on this forum that I read someone went through security and TSA agent was really rough with the gear though a search didn't bring up that post.

I'll most likely just have the T2i, 3 lenses, remote, and tripod all of which can fit in my camera bag (tripod in diaper bag/backpack if not checked) but just curious if anyone has had problems with TSA.

[kayumangi]

As long as they're packed neatly and clearly visible because they're on dividers then you shouldn't have any issues (just make sure you bag fits the overhead bin). Now if you cover your lens or flash with thick socks then that's another story.

The only time I read someone having issues with camera gear and on a flight somewhere, was coming back to the US and didn't had the proper documentary proof of ownership.

[Howard Barlow]

I don't fly domestically, so the only time I deal with TSA is in Houston, outbound. I've never really had any trouble with them. However, other countries vary. I have never had anyone mishandle the gear. In fact, they usually make me take it out and handle it, take off lens caps, snap the shutter, etc.

The two things that will arouse the most suspicion are lead batteries of size, like for a big Metz, or a jillion miles of wires for chargers, usb, firewire, etc.

Once in Germany, Berlin, I think, they made me go to a secondary location for a complete look see. "Much electronic." After looking at everything, wiping it all down with the bomb wipes, they packed it all back in neatly, escorted me back to security, and sent me through security again. Weird.

Like was said, carry the camera and lenses with you.

Of course, you are always at the mercy of everyone you meet. Most are fine folks doing their job. Some are, well, other.

........................

"...was coming back to the US and didn't had the proper documentary proof of ownership."

Actually, in the last 12 years, I've never done the paperwork and I have never been looked at coming in. But, as they say, YMMV.

[mjdmike]

I haven't had any issues in the last few years, traveling internationally a few dozen times.

Leaving the US the bag will likely only go thru X-ray. Coming back into the states, it will probably be hand searched as a secondary screening. My camera gear has never been removed from the bag, although some inspectors will rifle through the misc. gear looking a little deeper. I have all of my gear in my carry on, including batteries, chargers, flash, lenses.

If your camera is brand new, you might consider getting it registered with Customs.

Just be cooperative and there shouldn't be any issues.

[KenJulio]

I'll be travelling this weekend and have packed my body and lenses in my carry on(thinktank streetwalker harddrive) where they can be easily accessed and viewed if needed to be inspected. I have had security ask that we take all of our bodies and lenses out of the bag and each be sent through separately, but this was in China, leaving Beijing to Dunhuang. Other than that one instance, I havent had my bag opened or searched. Also, if you put a lock, make sure it's TSA approved, otherwise, they cannot open the bag.

[picman]

I carry a Lowelpro Slingshot 200 that I cram full of gear with a book and a couple of magazines thrown on top. As much as I expect it, it has zipped right thru the x ray with no problem. If you travel with extra batteries, tape the terminals and put them in separate plastic bags

Funny they called you about the lock - one time I put a bread tie on a zipper to make sure it didn't open - it came back with the zipper slide gone. coincidence, I think not.

[groovyone]

Security tends to get confused by my flashes, so now I pull those out with the laptop. Other than that I have flown many times with 30+ lbs of gear in a backpack with no issues. I do carry my tripod on, but it is a very compact Benro.

[KenJulio]

If I remember correctly when I travelled with my paintball gear, they inspected our team's bags that we had our paintball guns in, each time they inspected they left a 'flyer' stating it was opened and inspected.

[ronocnikral]

depends on how bored they are as well. we flew back from my parents on new years eve and we were out numbered about by TSA agents 4:1. everything got taken out and re-run through the x-ray.

also depends on who you are and what country you are flying from. if you're an old bald fat man passing security in bangkok, they're going to go through all your stuff, especially your computer files.

i have no problem checking my gear in a pelican case if i have a lot of it. these days, overhead space is hard to come by...

[ggeen]

I went to Hawaii last year, 2010, with m camera gear in a back-pack style bag. I did not get any grief from TSA at all. Either while leaving DFW or Honolulu airports. As a matter of fact, coming back I just carried on both bags. Stuffed one in the overhead and the other under the seat. YMMV

[BethG]

I've traveled several times this year with a backpack that holds a bunch of gear and the only problem I had was with a small external drive that the agent didn't recognize. I told him what it was and it was OK.

[mrsrice22]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback! Since we'll be traveling with 3 kids (my husband will be with me on the flight to Denver, but I'll be flying solo with 3 kids back to Houston, ugh) I definitely want to make this trip as hassle free as possible and I know it's hit or miss with TSA. Sometimes you'll breeze right through, other times they REALLY dissect everything.

I have a messenger style camera bag, so if it doesn't fit overhead I can easily fit it under my seat.

Thank you again!
Kristina

[z-monster]

If may add to the discussion for the record. I carried a fully loaded Lowepro Computrekker plus AW without tripod to Kenya, Qatar and back many times on a 747-400, 767-400 and an Airbus 330 as carry on.

I was only required to remove my laptop and flashes at the time. Now a days a laptop bag is allowed as a second carry on option.

If you think the shutter release is a good cracking joke. Try carrying skydiving equipment. I have a card that describes the small blasting cap that is loaded on the reserve tray for my Cypres AAD (Automatic Activation Device). I've only traveled with it once with Southwest Airlines. The DOT has officially determined the Cypress to be non-dangerous but I had to present the card to TSA so they could see what they were looking at.

A Jolly good time it was :D