TSA Getting Tough on Photographers?
Mar 1, 2018 18:22:09 #
Just returned to U.S. from Costa Rica bird shoot via LAX for connecting flight to Hawaii and was very surprised to have my bags singled out from the scanner by a TSA agent calling out "photography equipment"! I had 3 Nikon bodies and 4 lenses in my camera back pack and they took the pack to an inspection table and took all bodies and lenses out examining each one in detail. Even had to remove caps from both ends of the lenses so they could "see if they can see light through them". My question to traveling Hogs is has anyone else traveling recently through U.S. airports been subjected to this time consuming and detailed exam? Is it part of the new "getting tougher on security" policy announced late last year or have I just been lucky before not to have encountered such a probing inspection?
Mar 1, 2018 18:31:48 #
CaptainBobBrown wrote:
Just returned to U.S. from Costa Rica bird shoot v... (show quote)
One reason I'm happy to have plenty of great places I can drive to in California for photography. Little need to fly. I haven't since 1977.
Mar 1, 2018 18:40:27 #
CaptainBobBrown wrote:
Just returned to U.S. from Costa Rica bird shoot v... (show quote)
3 bodies is probably beyond 0.5% of flyers.
Mar 1, 2018 18:45:01 #
I traveled overseas last year with my old twin lens reflex. One of the agents asked me, "What is this? A camera?" and scanned it a second time. That was it. Not really much of an inconvenience.
Mar 1, 2018 18:59:31 #
CaptainBobBrown wrote:
Just returned to U.S. from Costa Rica bird shoot v... (show quote)
Thank the terrorists who have altered the way we live.
Mar 1, 2018 19:12:30 #
Relax! You should like having people be as sure as they can that nothing bad is on your flight. Nobody is picking on you. Smile and say "Thank you for being thorough!" You have not been invaded.
Mar 1, 2018 19:54:59 #
CaptainBobBrown wrote:
Just returned to U.S. from Costa Rica bird shoot v... (show quote)
It was the location of your originating flight. A lot of drugs transit through Central America.
Mar 1, 2018 19:58:39 #
My wife is a frequent flyer , she always says she doesnt mind, taking off belts or shoes etc anything to make sure she is safe in the air. ( but she doesnt have to go thru security because she has some type of pass)
If they wanted to check my cameras , then ok with me.
to answer your question , mine have not been checked.
If they wanted to check my cameras , then ok with me.
to answer your question , mine have not been checked.
Mar 1, 2018 20:02:35 #
Mar 1, 2018 20:28:22 #
Mar 1, 2018 21:05:41 #
I found that if you pack a travel tripod in your carry on, and you are going to Mexico, that's fine. It's considered a weapon when you leave Mexico, and you have to check it.
That was a pain after going through the security line. Different things you need to know. I wish it was consistent, but every country has their own rules.
That was a pain after going through the security line. Different things you need to know. I wish it was consistent, but every country has their own rules.
Mar 1, 2018 21:39:10 #
Coming in Internationally with a photography bag I appreciate the extra scrutiny by TSA. Flying within the continental US I have experienced no extra scrutiny. Just went thru SFO's T1 Terminal last night with a loaded Pelican S115 Sport Elite Laptop & Camera Backpack and they didn't even blink an eye.
Mar 1, 2018 22:03:49 #
I for one am glad to have the checks done. It's a much bigger infringement of my rights to be blown out of the sky. Cooperating and being polite never seems to cause problems. Objecting can do so. I was at a company client dinner several years ago, and we were exchanging stories and travel was an acceptable topic, business was not. One of our client guests told a story about returning from a lengthy trip, where she had had several lengthy delays, and was really tired, and perhaps a little less than coherent. The TSA agent got a little suspicious and started to really check into ID's and stuff, which it took her a little while to find. A supervisor saw what was going on and wandered over to check on things, in case there was a problem. Well, the person in question found her ID stuff and handed it over as requested. It contained her NSA ID. Lots of apologies ensued, but as she said, the TSA was doing the job we ask them to do.
Mar 1, 2018 22:35:14 #
I thought I had read here somewhere that the TSA is now requiring all electronics be put in trays, including cameras. The last time I flew I had the TSA Pre, which I don't pay for but often get, and I asked if I had to take the cameras out of my bag and they said no.
Mar 1, 2018 23:06:44 #
More than 15 years ago on our trip to Europe and I was asked to remove the lens from my camera. They looked through the lens and into the body. I put the lens back on and all was well. This was not too long after 9-11.
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