I have a question about airport security and cameras?

[Scott@HRP]

I am flying out of town this weekend to shoot a big Dirt Track race in McAllen, Texas. I have not ever taken my camera through the airport security x-ray machine before. Will it hurt anything in the electronics or the compact Flash cards?? It will be a carry on Item!!

[Toad]

No, it won't. The flashcards and everything will be fine.
Toad

[bondarnes]

I've done it many times without any problems. Film however, should be hand inspected and never put through x-ray even though they will tell you it is safe.

[Patti Edens]

As previous reply said, no problem. I travel several times a month and always carry on my camera bag with 20D, lenses, CF cards, flash, etc. The only thing I don't try to carry on is my tripod.

Here's a bunch more info from another thread that you didn't ask for, but if you don't travel by air much, it might help... If you do, just ignore...

Patti

Here's the best way to get through security with the least hassle:

Packing: If you are planning to check luggage, put all liquids and gels in the check bag so you don't have to hassle with that at security. If not, make sure your liquids/gels (cologne, mouthwash, toothpaste, etc) are in no larger than 3 ounce containers and all the containers are in a 1 quart clear ziploc bag.

Wear a pair of shoes that come off and on easily (loafers work great) and wear socks you don't mind getting dirty (dark color preferably or they will be by the time you're done.)

TSA Lock
If you plan to check any luggage and you want to lock it, go to Walmart or a luggage store and buy a TSA lock. They are combination locks that TSA can open with a key. If you use any other lock, they might (and almost always do) cut it off.

After you get your boarding pass (print it out at home if your airline will allow), check any luggage you want to check.

Stuff anything electronic or metal that you want to take on the plane in your carry-on bag or zipped coat pocket. This includes any change in your pocket, a metal money-clip, your cell phone, PDA, Blackberry, pager, pen, belt if it has a big buckle, watch, etc. You can use the little containers for this at security, but I've found it's just easier to stuff in a compartment in my carry-on camera bag.

When you approach the security area, have your boarding pass and picture ID in your hand. After you get past the picture ID check, you can put the ID back in your pocket, but keep your boarding pass in your hand throughout the security check in process.

When you get to the table with the bins, pull out the ziploc with the liquids/gels and just put it on top of your carry on or somewhere where they can see it. It has to be visible as you are going through. Pull your laptop out of its bag and put it in a bin by itself. Take off your shoes and jacket if you are wearing one. You can put your jacket and shoes in another bin if you want but you can also just lay them on the conveyor belt ahead of your laptop/carryon. Your carry on can go through without a bin.

The inexperienced will get a bin for every dang thing they want to put through. That just slows everything down while the TSA guys are constantly carrying bins back and forth. This is where you can pick out the experienced travelers from the rookies.

Stay with your stuff until it starts to move through the X-Ray machine. Then the TSA person will motion you to come through the metal detector. Hold your boarding pass where they can see it.

You will be home free...*. Pick up your stuff and get dressed again. Head for the gate!

*...Unless you are one of the lucky ones they pick to search bags or do the explosive wipe test on. But it usually just takes a minute or two.

[thelegend1472]

Patti summed it up really well. Biggest thing in my opinion is the liquid thing. Nothin bigger than 4 oz..they all need to be in individual ziplock quart size or smaller bags or you'll be throwing whatever it is away or scrambling back to try and check it. It can make for a miserable experience (so I'm told)

[Scott@HRP]

WoW, thanks for all the info!! Have not had to fly since the liquid and Gel thing!! What a hassle!! So I guess I need to buy small containers for Shampoo, shaving cream, body wash etc... So you think it is best to have that in your carry on??

[Patti Edens]

Originally Posted by Scott@HRP

WoW, thanks for all the info!! Have not had to fly since the liquid and Gel thing!! What a hassle!! So I guess I need to buy small containers for Shampoo, shaving cream, body wash etc... So you think it is best to have that in your carry on??

If you are planning to check some luggage, put all that liguid/gel stuff in there. That is undoubtedly the best way to go. You can have whatever size you want in there. But, if you are not planning to check luggage, then you have no choice. You gotta get the little containers in order to carry it on. And having less than 4 ounces of something in a larger container won't work. It's the container size that they look at.

Oh, I forgot to mention... forget taking Eclipse fluid. It is flammable and illegal in carry on or in checked luggage. I don't know about other lens/sensor cleaner liquids.

[babybluetx23]

we are heading out of town in a few hours! THANKS for the Info! that really helps. I have flown post 911 but not since the whole gel/liquid thing. I packed all that stuff in my checked baggage, but we are also heading out of town for a week so The only think I am carrying on with me is my purse and my camera/laptop bag. I wouldnt DREAM of checking that stuff!!

[Mike G]

The only time I had any issues with Xray machines and my camera was at the Liberty Bell display in Philly earlier this year .. we went into the building 2x and both times after it passed through the X-Ray machine it got a err99 until I removed the batteries and let the camera reset itself .. but they did say when I asked them that the machines were cranked up much higher than anything you'll see at an airport.

[Edg02]

Also be nice to the airport people and don't say anything that would give them cause to take longer with your stuff. And don't forget about things at the very bottom of any of your bags, because chances are they will look and find everything you've ever forgotten about or lost.

[Cope]

Originally Posted by Edg02

Also be nice to the airport people and don't say anything that would give them cause to take longer with your stuff. And don't forget about things at the very bottom of any of your bags, because chances are they will look and find everything you've ever forgotten about or lost.

And don't forget to remove the Swiss army knife you keep in the bag, because you won't have it long if they find it.