willy6419

Just cleared Seattle tsa

I’m precheck

Was required to remove all lenses and camera bodies and send through individually

Not in Chicago when we came, same gear bag

Never before anywhere

Any other experiences

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

From my recent expriences with TSA, each location has their rules. My sense is that it depends upon the level of technology they have.

Quixdraw Loc: x

There is one employee at our local airport who has twice taken every single thing out of my camera bag. When I go on a photo trip that thing is packed like a 3 D puzzle. I told my Wife that the next time we encounter him, I will speak to his supervisor, even if I miss the trip. Lucky so far, and usually no issues with the cameras. On the other hand, most of the time, I get the full treatment, even if pre check.

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

It’s just the Union of Socialist Seattle breaking you down and getting you ready for your indoctrination😎

CaptainBobBrown

Had the same experience coming back from Costa Rica through LAX about a year ago or so. It was the only time and I had a small crowd of TSA agents standing by asking questions about the uses of the gear as though they'd never seen a DSLR or serious lenses before. Probably an artifact of the fact that the only cameras they see anymore are people taking selfies with cell phones.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

As someone who flies overseas every year, I think the best thing to do is assume you will be asked to remove your camera gear for inspection and simply prepare for it. I recommend to practice taking your camera and lenses in and out at home before the trip to make sure you can perform the task smoothly and safely without any snags. Ensure you have easy access to all items which you may be required to remove from your carry-on bag. The last thing you want to happen during security inspection is one of your lenses rolling around on the conveyor belt or even falling to floor! The better you are prepared, the less stressful the actual inspection at the airport will be.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Be a good idea to practice - just one problem, they will not let you touch what they are inspecting. At least that is what I've be told by TSA on a few occasions. Again, it may vary by airport.

poprock48

Never had to take my gear out of the backpack.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

Strange. We came through TSA Precheck in Seattle a week ago and got asked about nothing. My switch from Nikon full frame to Micro 4/3 lets me put the camera bag inside the carry on suitcase so my computer bag can be the second carry on piece. But I've never had an inspector ask to see it.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Have never happened to me but be aware all major airports operate on their own current status alerts as well as national ones. There may have been something unknown to the public that had them on stricter inspection in general, etc.

Bill_de Loc: US

Left NY for Florida, no real inspection. Coming back to NY every piece of equipment was inspected and the inspector ran his hands around the entire inside of the backpack. When I mentioned that we danced right through in NY he smiled before answering. He said no body is concerned with what might be coming into Jacksonville. Everybody is concerned with what might be coming into NY. Made me realize that the destination may have something to do with the amount of scrutiny you experience.

I should add that the inspector handled every piece of equipment with utmost care and returned each piece exactly where he took it from.

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CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

From Alaska we always pass through Seattle. Pretty much camera out and in its own bin every time. My bag with a couple of Lenes goes through on its own but TSA wants to see my camera. No big deal. I plan for and expect it so pack to make it easy. I am often thanked by TSA for having it out without being asked
...Cam.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I have found this to be true too.
...Cam

david vt Loc: Vermont

All of the above comments are accurate, but I have a bit to add after talking to a TSA supervisor

A) They do mix things up. sometimes they are are going to let most stuff go. Sometimes a site on a particular day or shift will go full bore, even in a pre-check line. The reason is so that the potential “baddies” have to assume that they will get full treatment. it keeps them guessing.

B) There is a component of the level of inspection for general homeland security threat level and other factors (which of course they would not elaborate)

so, plan for it. If you want to speed things up, take anything that might trigger a full bag inspection out and run separately in a bin. That way, if it “trips” notice that day, only THAT item has to be inspected and not the whole bag. This happens all the time with me, as I travel with allergen sensitive protein powder, which not only looks funny in the X-ray, but does not go so well with the explosives residue checker either (who knew bone-broth based protein powder would do this?). Separating it out, along with any other food I am carrying, generally results in faster transit. Yes, I am the guy whom is using 4 bins. Sorry about that.

Be early, be nice, be transparent, be polite. Offer to help if they would like as the equipment is expensive (they will turn it down, but you can offer). The nicer you are, the faster it will go.......

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Face it:
1. some people are different than others
2. some people aren't really sure of what they are doing
3. some people just get off on making people jump through hoops
4. some people are casual about rules and common sense enforcement
5. some people follow every last comma to the nth degree-just in case
6. some people work for TSA
7. some people will try to get by the rules and some TSA workers have been stung and therefore go overboard

8. some other people get bent out of shape when hey know they are going to run into the full spectrum of "some people" sooner or later

9. Murphy is looking for a chance to mess with "some people" and "some other people" every chance he can get
10. and that includes making things go easy and smooth at times just for the shock value when the opposite happens

PS it is labor day weekend and God is going fishing - he left Murphy in charge.

ALL HAIL MURPHY!!!