nison777 wrote:
How many of you fellow traveling photographers; have experienced heavy screens; by the T.S.A. when traveling with your carry on camera bag?
This seems to be the norm for me..
Either coming or returning home...
At least once a trip this seems to happen...
I understand that the black bag could raise some suspicion...
All lenses are layed down as to not make the X-Ray scann bring suspension...
There's nothing sharp or unusual in the bag...
Although once I did have a small knife that I forgot was in there and they missed that all together...
But I have experienced a shake down even after my bag was X-Ray ed...
It is almost like I can count on this happening at least once every time I travel...
Just wanted to know if I was just unlucky... I really don't have anything to hide from them...
I even scored a "full security" .... "random test check" with a palm swab...
That was very unnerving...
I must have been the thousandth passenger... Lucky me...
I will never forget the looks from my wife and the other folks nearby...
How many of you fellow traveling photographers; h... (
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Nison ...
First, let me say with, TSA and the fact that you're traveling on airplanes, be warned to expect absolutely anything and everything.
As retired law enforcement of 30-plus years, in retirement my wife and I traveled extensively and during the last seven years, we traveled in excess of 100,000 miles. Yes, I have a large carry-on with 1 or 2 cameras.. and either 3 or 4 lenses... We both have TSA PreCheck and we both have Global Entry but, that doesn't mean a rat's patootie to TSA agents.
As retired law enforcement, I am always courteous, friendly, and I always keep my mouth shut when I go through TSA and just watch and observe their typical, police type, I don't give a damn attitude Behavior..... trust me they have unbelievable power...
They're humans, they have Federal power, and they can absolutely make your life miserable -- no matter what and the bottom line is you have absolutely no recourse.
Even if you complain, their supervisors will always justify the behavior of who and what they did.
My wife has a pacemaker. I have actually seen female TSA agents fondle her body in excess of five minutes and actually watched TSA female agents go over certain parts of her body at least five and six times in a single examination.
Stay calm, be polite, don't offer any excessive explanation and just relax. If you have nothing to worry about it will all work out in the end
Yes, I always make it a point to get at an airport at least 3 hours early and I always make sure that I have at least three hours in between flights during layovers for any such typical problem....
The above's are my personal experiences. Others may have different opinions and that's okay. I'll leave it at that just be kind, and be courteous and be patient...
Cheers
George Veazey
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