Airport problem for Pro Photog

[Steelsun]

Interesting article on Sportsshooter from a pro-photog (news reporter) who had problems (major) at the airport this week.

http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1833

[Craig]

I flew to NC about 2 weeks ago from Houston to shoot a wedding. While I didn't shut down the airport, my equipment bag was gone thru with a fine tooth comb which made my time going thru security quite a bit longer than it should have been.

[CobyPhoto]

Exactly why I hate flying and try never to do so any longer.

CJ

[kenw]

At least she had a civil attitude and kept the whole mess in perspective....

...which is always a good idea.

[jonnydonut]

wow. I understand the need for security. I was a security guard for a while in Dallas. With that said, paranoia has taken over. It's become ridiculous, especially in the south. Terrorism is the last thing everyone in NY''s mind.

Has anyone seen the taser gun incident at the John Kerry convention the other day. If not, go to youtube and search "andrew meyer". Make sure to watch it from multiple angles so you see the real story.

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by jonnydonut

wow. I understand the need for security. I was a security guard for a while in Dallas. With that said, paranoia has taken over. It's become ridiculous, especially in the south. Terrorism is the last thing everyone in NY''s mind.

Has anyone seen the taser gun incident at the John Kerry convention the other day. If not, go to youtube and search "andrew meyer". Make sure to watch it from multiple angles so you see the real story.

Yep. Saw it. The guy was an idiot. Should have left when asked. Instead he wanted to call attention to himself. He accomplished that. Did I saw IDIOT?

[Cope]

I had trouble with camera gear at Little Rock's airport 25 years ago, and all I had was a minolta SLR and a couple of lenses.

I can see why her stuff would have looked suspicious on the X-ray.

[AndrewCCM]

I am flying Delta to Burlington, Vermont Sunday... Gotta make stops along the way there and on the way back in NY and GA on little puddle jumpers.. I hope I don't get hassled. I did take a flight to Cabo San Lucas a few weeks ago and had no trouble at all with my camera gear.

[boomerd35]

I'm sure it was the wires. That should be on Pocket Wizard's commercial:

ANNOUNCER: "How many times has this happened to you? You're waiting to board your plane, and the airport gets shut down because of all the suspicious wires in your baggage."

FRUSTRATED PHOTOGRAPHER WITH FRAZZLED HAIR: "There's got to be a better way!!!"

ANNOUNCER: "There is. Introducing the all new Pocket Wizards. Keep your photoraphy free from all those messy wires, and keep yourself out of trouble with the authorities."

HAPPY PHOTOGRAPHER WITH PERFECT HAIR AS HE'S BOARDING AN AIRPLANE: "Thanks, Pocket Wizard! Now the next time I see a latex glove, it will be on the hand of my doctor instead of airport security!"

[Gordon]

yeah, I flew with 3 pocket wizards a couple of weeks ago. TSA were going through my bag and asked what they were. I managed to just stop myself before saying something like 'remote triggers'

[jon_k]

Yep. Saw it. The guy was an idiot. Should have left when asked. Instead he wanted to call attention to himself. He accomplished that. Did I saw IDIOT?

Other than not leaving, he did nothing wrong. My personal opinion, it's almost Nazi to act that way when a citizen is obviously no threat. Sure, the cops were doing their job, but the Nazi soldiers were "just doing there job" too, yet nobody likes what they did. They're walking on a fine line between enforcing civil obedience vs outright oppression these days.

As for the airports these days, yeah... no comment.

I've tried to keep my views here out of politics as much as possible as Abel hates the political discussions, but the entire topic is politicaly related. I tried my best.

[Jeff_Green]

Dude, he was refusing the orders of a peace officer. That means he was breaking the law and deserved it. lol

[Comanche]

Originally Posted by kenw

At least she had a civil attitude and kept the whole mess in perspective....

...which is always a good idea.

I'm with Ken - she wrote an excellent piece that was very cognizant of all sides. Good for her.

[Steelsun]

It was a well written piece.

Last week I flew to San Fran and back - took alot of camera gear (body, multiple lenses, wire remote, batts, flash, etc) and a laptop in the same bag with no problem.

[bradc972]

I fly at least once a week and always pack my camera gear. I take my laptops, camera bodies and vid cam out of the bag and put them in bins and run everything through. Takes a little longer but I haven't gotten any grief over it since I started taking it all out. No issues with pocket wizards or wires ... yet =)

-b