david vt Loc: Vermont

Yes, you enter this number (or if you are only TSA-precheck) in the spot for a “known traveler number” or “confirmed traveler number” when you make your reservations. It does no good to show up at the airport with it if not in your reservation, as it MUST be printed on your boarding pass (GE will still appear on boarding pass as TSA precheck).

For those that travel internationally, it is really worth it $100 for 5 years = $20 per year for 100% precheck traveling in USA plus bypass passport control via Immigration ATM entering USA plus priority line in customs). How much is it worth not to miss 1 flight per year? Not having to remove all of my electronics and camera gear, much less shoes and belt - “priceless”

Just renewed mine. Really happy with it. GE is just $20 more than pre-check - and then you get the 5 years of international expedite to boot.

Hint - if you are GE (and I assume TSA pre-check), and make a multi-person reservation, and you are first name on the reservation - your pre-check appears to extend down through your family - at least it has worked that way to for me.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Usually any larger than the norm will attract the TSA scanners... SLR bodies and bags are the perfect places to hide explosives or drugs. I have not had this experience with photography equipment since I usually only travel with one body and a couple of lenses. But, a couple years ago I did travel with 100 USB sticks for my company I was bringing to Vegas from JFK.... I am sure it looked strange on the xray machine since they were laid out flat in a grid of 10 x 10. Of course my bag was singled out and they scanned some individually and inspected a few - no problem. Another reason to arrive early at the airport!

david vt Loc: Vermont

Absolutely agree. I now get to the airports very early, and don’t plan short connections, especially internationally. I just bring a good book or do emails for work - time = lack of stress.

With TSA, deference, cooperation, and attitude (yours) are key. They face many unpleasant situations, and they are one of the “last lines of defense”. I would rather have my stuff searched 100 times than have them miss something once. With my Global Entry Trusted traveler pass, it cuts my personal probably of a detailed check to almost NONE.

Also, when I pack, I consider how things are packed in case of inspection. Try to make easy for them to see through with an X-ray (one layer deep). Consider pulling the stuff out into a tray so it is YOU that are handling it, not them. Assume they will have to swab everything, so when you wrap, assume you will have to unwrap and rewrap You can always adjust packing after security (I often do - much easier for me than worry about TSA handling the equipment)

Be nice, be patient, and be happy to safely arrive at your destination. Much better than the alternative.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

Yes!

gmsatty Loc: Chicago IL

A few years ago, I had trouble taking a monopod on board. TSA was going to stop me from taking it on the plane until one of the TSA supervisors, who must have been a photographer told the others it was not a weapon but a piece of camera equipment. I now pack it in my luggage.

Paladin48 Loc: Orlando

Tell that to the wheelchair bound 80 year old Grandmother who is singled out for a "Closer Look" because she can't stand up on command from the "Self Important Troll" in the TSA. I have seen this nonsense myself so it is not anecdotal.
Right before 911 the screeners were making $8.50/hour. They were "Unionized" and their pay DOUBLED. No increase in skill set just a new and enhanced sense of self importance knowing that if anyone questioned there "Authority" then they had the power to make everyone's life miserable.

gwilliams6

I am a pro and travel all the time with multiple camera gear, both domestically and internationally. My gear is often singled out for hand inspection as I always put the cameras in my carryon bags (yes bags. most airlines allow an extra carryon for pro camera gear. Most folks don't know this and even some airlines gate folks had to be informed of this. When they checked their rules they found out I was correct. On many airlines, like Southwest ,you can also board first if you have extra camera gear so you can get to the overhead storage first. Just remind the gate attendants. It is in their rules , but some don't know that. ) .

Getting back to the subject. I will pack large and heavy things like tripods and light stands in my checked bags (always with TSA-approved locks on all my bags). Often after arriving and opening my checked luggage I find a nice note from the TSA that they have opened my checked luggage for inspection. I always put my professional business card with my equipment so they can quickly see this is pro camera gear.

I am glad they check this all, and consider this as part of the routine when you travel with gear. Doesn't always happen, especially since I went to TSA-Pre check status and then Global Pass. And this varies by country and airport. Hey ,as a longtime photojournalist I have covered the tragedy of the scene of plane crashes (something no one should have to see) , and I would rather deal with the occasional hassle of this than lose my life to some terrorist carrying a bomb disguised as camera or computer equipment. Cheers.

kbatschke Loc: Chicagoland-west

I agree with other posters who suggest that it is the volume of equipment (and perhaps the country of origin as well) that triggered the extra screening. I've been traveling the world (EU, Colombia, Mexico and US domestic) since December with my Sony a6500 and two lenses in my carry on bag with zero extra scrutiny. In most foreign countries, DSLR's are asked to be removed from the bag and placed in the bin. I comply with this with my a6500 as well to avoid extra screening. Certainly difficult to do if you have several bodies but that does help avoid the extra step.

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

Also remember that the security agencies get a lot of tips and warnings that the public never hears about. So if security is tight, they may be acting on something.

Note that I do a fair amount of travelling, and have always found TSA to be courteous and effecient.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

My thoughts, exactly.
Mark

gwilliams6

Your anti-union rant here is inappropriate. Most TSA agents I have encountered are courteous and helpful. Yes some wheelchair folks have been checked in my presence, but if you travel to some parts of the world, some bad folks have used women and handicapped folks for their purposes. With the web, all tricks are known worldwide now. Don't make this a discussion about paid union workers. As Federal employees ,these critical TSA agents deserve pay and benefits equal to hundreds of thousands of other federal employees. They deserve to make a living wage, just as you and me.

Oldnintheway

It really just depends on the xray operator at the time. If they can't clear what they're looking at in their own mind, they should call for a bag check. There are rules & parameters for this along with constant training but in the end it's a fallible human making the call. Your bag was heavily loaded and all that glass shows up black/blue which could easily obscure just about anything. Sounds like a proper call to me. I worked for them for three years a while back for the healthcare. And TSA has no real interest in drugs.....explosives and weapons are the focus.

kensil

At times it seemed that some airports were more "inquisitive" than others. I shoot film so always have hand inspection. Have always been treated with respect. Traveled to Asia with Blad and five lenses and was actually congratulated by an inspector for my excellent choice of equipment. Inspectors are doing what they have to do to prevent possible terrorism. Don't feel like you've been singled out. Forget about the "bad" memories of your trip. Remember the good one's!

katherineivey Loc: Corinth, Texas

I have a travel coffee mug that looks exactly like my Canon 70-200L lens. I think I'll leave it home on my next trip. LOL!

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Not quite as we all have been invaded by the mind set of terror and fear or terror which has impacted our freedoms and our liberties. How many more freedoms do we loose to the government in the act of removing terror and fear. One of the reasons I do not plan on traveling outside the USA is not fear it is the invasiveness of government and local officials who think you can solve terror by scanning good people while the terrorists still get by the scans.