Airport Inspection: Planning to travel to Sedona and Grand Canyon in May. Haven't carried my camera equipment on an airplane in years. What can I expect from the TSA inspectors in...

Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

Planning to travel to Sedona and Grand Canyon in May. Haven't carried my camera equipment on an airplane in years. What can I expect from the TSA inspectors in terms of going through my bag? Can I send the memory card through the x-ray?

geclevel Loc: Springville, Utah

Every time I take my gear as carry on the TSA will open an inspect the contents. The lenses look suspect on the x-ray screen. I have not had an issue sending my memory card through x-ray.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Bunkershot wrote:

Planning to travel to Sedona and Grand Canyon in May. Haven't carried my camera equipment on an airplane in years. What can I expect from the TSA inspectors in terms of going through my bag? Can I send the memory card through the x-ray?

I did over 75,000 airmiles last year. I've taken my camera gear with me on several trips, both domestic and international. DSLR, plus about 6 lenses and flash, batteries etc. It has always gone through the TSA screening without a question for carry on. Memory cards are not affected.

It's when I go to museums and so on that people want to see what's in the bag.

So far it's much less of an issue than laptops are, but even if you get randomly selected for a check, it should not be a problem.

I'm very happy with those TSA guys. It is sometimes a little inconvenient, but nowhere near as inconvenient as getting blown out the sky! Just allow enough time to get through the process comfortably.

Have a good trip.

Schwabo Loc: Florida

I always take my photo stuff as carry on, never had any problems. Sometimes the ask me to open the bag. Memory card in camera no problem. Good shooting.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

geclevel wrote:

Every time I take my gear as carry on the TSA will open an inspect the contents. The lenses look suspect on the x-ray screen. I have not had an issue sending my memory card through x-ray.

Interesting! Is there something special about Utah or do you look suspicious for some reason? Your images look just fine!

geclevel Loc: Springville, Utah

I am TSA pre check 100% of the time, you should get this since you travel that much.
The checks are always at the smaller airports, never at the SLC, LAX, etc...

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

geclevel wrote:

I am TSA pre check 100% of the time, you should get this since you travel that much.
The checks are always at the smaller airports, never at the SLC, LAX, etc...

If you are directing that comment at me, I do have TSA-Pre and it is very useful, although they still do random things like sending you through the normal line. Once again, I'm happy with that.

When I went to Paris in November with my camera bag and other carry on luggage not only could I check in and print my boarding pass online (on-line passport check!), I was through security within 5 minutes of being dropped off at the airport.

On the other hand, I've just returned from Milwaukee, and my wife who was flying on my frequent flyer miles, and has never applied for TSA-pre got a TSA-pre boarding pass and I didn't. However, since Milwaukee is a fairly small airport it hardly made any difference, and they still didn't want to check my camera bag.

It's really about being intelligent about travel, and some people are more so, and some less so.

However, for the OP, I think he should be just fine, a check doesn't take long.

geclevel Loc: Springville, Utah

Peterff wrote:

If you are directing that comment at me, I do hav... (show quote)

Yes that was directed at you. TSA-pre is the best when traveling as long as the airport has TSA-pre. I agree the OP will be fine with traveling with the gear.

doclab88 Loc: Baldwin Wisconsin

Bunkershot wrote:

Planning to travel to Sedona and Grand Canyon in May. Haven't carried my camera equipment on an airplane in years. What can I expect from the TSA inspectors in terms of going through my bag? Can I send the memory card through the x-ray?

I just returned from Phoenix last wednesday and both on my trip to and return trip, I had no problem going through TSA. They did not inspect my bag. I had my 5200 and 4 lenses in the bag. I am not TSA-pre-checked either. I flew from Minneapolis. There was no problem with my SD cards either.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Bunkershot wrote:

Planning to travel to Sedona and Grand Canyon in May. Haven't carried my camera equipment on an airplane in years. What can I expect from the TSA inspectors in terms of going through my bag? Can I send the memory card through the x-ray?

The memory cards are not sensitive to X-Rays. The X-Ray cannot cause charge to collect or to dissipate on the floating gates of the memory cells and change random bits to the other state. I have never had an issue.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

^^^EXACTLY.

The X-Rays used in Baggage Scanners at airports do NOT cause problems for either film OR memory cards.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

CHOLLY wrote:

^^^EXACTLY.

The X-Rays used in Baggage Scanners at airports do NOT cause problems for either film OR memory cards.

Some still dispute that with film, at least a higher sensitivity. Regardless of the facts for film they usually off a visual inspection as an alternative for those that are concerned....

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

RE TSA precheck. I never applied but get this through USAirways. Only works at the larger airports, but it is a wonderful service. No longer have to take off my shoes, belts, etc. Sometimes have to remove my laptop, other times do not.

grandmadeb Loc: illinois, usa

we flew from Illinois to SFO in July. my husband hadn't flown in years, so I warned him about shoes, etc. we had the pre screen, so no need to remove shoes, belts, etc. very fast. this was in a small airport. but when we flew home from SFO, same thing, we cleared check in and tsa in less than 30 minutes. of course we are 65 & 68 white, old people. no threat. things maybe different now with all the new threats. deb

Madchemist Loc: Nesbit, MS

Bunkershot wrote:

Planning to travel to Sedona and Grand Canyon in May. Haven't carried my camera equipment on an airplane in years. What can I expect from the TSA inspectors in terms of going through my bag? Can I send the memory card through the x-ray?

I have traveled with my camera a lot and they have never gone through it. I have simply put it on the belt for the x-ray with no problems. The things they want to look at are laptops. Those have to come out and be put in a tray. Camera equipment can remain in the bag. Enjoy your travels!!