Taking digital camera on airplanes?

[CarolynM]

We are going to FL this weekend for a 50th year wedding anniversary and we are flying there. I want to take my Canon Powershot A650IS camera with me on this trip. (Haven't decided yet if we will check any baggage or use carry on only.) I already do set off the security alarm at checkpoints due to a titanium knee replacement so I will get "wanded" as well. BTDT, this will be my first plane trip with a digital camera though. Will the x-ray machine they send our purses and carry-on baggage through possibly do any damage to the camera memory cards? (I have SD cards.) Should I leave the memory card in the camera and send it through the machine in my camera bag? Would I be better off keeping the memory cards out separately, but in little storage case and put in with "loose change" items tray or in my shoes to be sent through the screening (x-ray) machine? I'm guessing that trying to keep them in my pocket as I walk through is a bad idea since they'll have the wand pass over them too.

Please advise.
Thank you!
CarolynM

[Patti Edens]

I travel several times a month and always carry on my camera. The only thing I don't try to carry on is my tripod. I've never had a problem and I've carried the same memory cards (SD and CF) over and over.

Here's a bunch more info I've posted before that you didn't ask for, but if you don't travel by air much, it might help. If you do, just ignore. It won't apply completely to you since you will need to be wanded, but most is valid.
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Here's the best way to get through security with the least hassle:


Before you go to the airport:
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, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, hair gel, hair spray,etc) are in no larger than 3 ounce containers and all the containers are in a 1 quart clear ziploc bag. (1 bag/traveler) There are a few exceptions that can be handled separately like baby formula.

Check in and print out your boarding passes at home if your airline allows. (Most allow it up to 24 hours in advance.) Put them in an easy to access place along with your picture ID.

Wear a pair of shoes that are easy to take off and put on (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.

At the Airport:
Get your boarding pass if you haven't already and check your luggage. There are lots of folks there that will help you with this.

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 and that's one less thing I have to round up on the other side of the x-ray machine.

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 at some airports you keep your boarding pass in your hand throughout the security check in process. Some you can put it away. They'll tell you or you can ask.

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. If you have 'em, pull your laptop and video camera out their bag and put them in a bin by themself. 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 carryon can go through without a bin.

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 ( unless it's one of the airports where you don't need to.)

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.

[carrbowl]

Wow Patti, very nice suggestions. Now how would you get my family of 6 thru...one has to be hand wanded because of a "loop recorder" in his chest? Every time we go thru security, it makes me want to just show up naked and put my clothes on afterwards!!! (but of course, then I look in the mirror and decide I might get arrested!!!)

[CaptainTom]

All good advice. I'll add that if you are a large person, make sure you do not come in physical contact with the metal detector arch. It will cause an alarm, and after two alarms you get wanded ( if it is busy you might get wanded after one alarm).

My last international trip from DFW (last month) was a piece of cake. We got the security checkpoint with the new "full scan" xray machine. No shoes off, no laptop out, etc. Just put our things on the conveyor and off they went.
They also had the "puffer" personal sniffing device where you walk in, it closes and a puff of air is blown on you. If OK, out you go and on your way. Very civilized.

They are also testing a procedure where you can choose what line you want to get into by how experienced a traveller you are. One line for "road warriors" who travel a lot and know the procedures inside out. One line for the occasional traveller who might have more carry on stuff than the business guy, and one for families and other folks who usually slow the line down while they figure out what to do. I hope it catches on.

[gmarblestone]

I am overcautious and i put my cards in cases in my pocket when going thru security. I am sure its a NO NO, but i don't trust the xray machines. I also always copy my stuff onto a backup drive in my luggage before returning home with pictures.

G

[CaptainTom]

This thread prompted me to search the net on the topic of CF cards vs. X-ray machines.
Most info concludes that your CF card will not be harmed in any way by the machines at airports.

Has anyone heard of THIS warning ???

But think twice before you send your media through the mail. The CompactFlash Association recently announced that the irradiation being used by the U.S. Postal Service to sanitize the mail can potentially damage the semiconductors used in CompactFlash cards, resulting in data loss and damage to the media.

[Coelus]

Another good thing about keeping all your loose metal stuff in your carry on and having slip on shoes is that the rest of us don't have to wait while you stuff twenty things back in your pockets and tie your shoes in the conveyor line. I have a loewepro bag that carries my laptop, camera, a couple lenses, flash, cards, and assorted wires and chargers. I keep all that stuff in there along with keys, loose change, directions, reservation info, etc. The only two things I don't leave in the bag most of the time is my passport, wallet, and cell phone. I'll throw the cell phone in the bag before I get to the x-ray machine. If someone steals my bag in the airport, at least I have the three most important things still on my person.
I wish the airports would have better facilities with chairs and tables behind the x-ray line for those who don't fly much.

[ngoduyviet]

You shouldn't have any problems putting your digital camera through the xray machine. If you know you are gonna get wanded, get there early and be prepared, especially on Monday & Friday.

[Panama Kid]

I take my 20D & assorted lens in a backpack on the plane all the time, even pull it out and take pictures out the window if I get to sit by one, even during take off & landing.

But, x-ray machines won't hurt the memory cards or affect the images.

[Cerbera LM]

Originally Posted by Panama Kid

I take my 20D & assorted lens in a backpack on the plane all the time, even pull it out and take pictures out the window if I get to sit by one, even during take off & landing.

But, x-ray machines won't hurt the memory cards or affect the images.

Ditto what PK said

[Hanky]

LOL, I sent my cards through manually with screaner and I guess he had to comtemplate what dangers might lay inside them. Next time they go in the bag that flies overhead and the screeners can do whatever they want. On an overnight flight from Amsterdam to Memphis there was this real anoying lady who was using flash in the cabin and none of the stewies said anything.

[CarolynM]

Thanks for the info everyone!

RE: If not, make sure your liquids/gels (cologne, mouthwash, toothpaste, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, hair gel, hair spray,etc) are in no larger than 3 ounce containers and all the containers are in a 1 quart clear ziploc bag. (1 bag/traveler)

Is this only 3 ounces rule for liquids and must be placed in a clear ziploc bag for carry-on luggage still in effect for airplane travel nowdays?
Thanks,
CarolynM

[Rson]

Yep, basically if you can fit it in a quart bag you can fly with it.

[Rson]

Originally Posted by CarolynM

We are going to FL this weekend for a 50th year wedding anniversary and we are flying there. I want to take my Canon Powershot A650IS camera with me on this trip. (Haven't decided yet if we will check any baggage or use carry on only.) I already do set off the security alarm at checkpoints due to a titanium knee replacement so I will get "wanded" as well. BTDT, this will be my first plane trip with a digital camera though. Will the x-ray machine they send our purses and carry-on baggage through possibly do any damage to the camera memory cards? (I have SD cards.) Should I leave the memory card in the camera and send it through the machine in my camera bag? Would I be better off keeping the memory cards out separately, but in little storage case and put in with "loose change" items tray or in my shoes to be sent through the screening (x-ray) machine? I'm guessing that trying to keep them in my pocket as I walk through is a bad idea since they'll have the wand pass over them too.

Please advise.
Thank you!
CarolynM

Just a few notes:
1: your camera and card will be fine through x-ray
2: Wear slip on shoes with socks (I only have to imaging the germs on the floor of the airport screening)
3: skip all metal if you can (watch belt etc..)
4: have you id and ticket ready and bring it through the detector with you.
5: You still have to take the laptop out, take off shoes and bag the liquids.
6: go to www.seatguru.com and check to see if your seat has a power port. Move if it doesn't. Get a plugin power inverter from staples or office depot. You will have electricity the whole flight.

Link to the one I have: http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/st...&cmArea=SEARCH

[Chop249]

I'm NOT impressed with the TSA!!! The idiots (substitue whats going through your head because thats really what I want to say) have cut TSA approved locks to search bags that had nothing but clothes in them. AGAIN they cut TSA APPROVED (the ones with the little red diamond on them) locks to look through the ever dangerous bag containing nothing but clothes! Makes me feel really safe! I've had nothing but bad experience with them. I really wish they would start searching the bags while you wait like they used to do at DFW. They may still but it seems as though I am always flying out of terminal D. The last trip I took they removed the TSA lock, searched the bag, didn't leave a notice and failed to replace the lock. I have wasted about 50 bucks on cut locks, I even went so far as putting a strip of tape above the lock with the TSA lock key number to no avail. GRRRRRRRR!!!!!

Sore subject for me.

The part about keeping everything in one bag, keys change, etc. is good advice that's what I do. I also take my camera with me everytime and have never once lost any of the files etc. that was on any of my electronics (laptop, SD and CF cards, thumb drives).