Air Travel Just Got Worse for Photographers
I wound up getting stuck overnight in Minneapolis/St. Paul due to a late flight that caused me to miss my connection back to Tampa (thanks Northwest Airlines, which not only made me miss my connection, but then wouldn’t release my own luggage to me, or provide me with a room, or well…pretty much anything. It just reminded me once again why I love United, but that’s another story).
Anyway, while passing through security the TSA Agent at the X-ray belt, said: “That’s a LowePro camera bag; do you have a DSLR in there?” I said yes, and he said I had to remove it and put it on the belt. I told him it wasn’t a video camera, and he told me DSLR’s now have to be removed and put on the belt separately because of their size. So I started screaming at him, and pointing my fingers in his face (you know I’m joking, right?). So, I just shook my head, took out my DSLR out of my bag (pictured above in a photo taken with my iPhone), put it in a gray bin (I sent it though last so I’d be there to make sure I’m the one that winds up with it), and went on.
Then they wanted to search my bag, and that’s perfectly fine with me, and they dusted it for explosives. While he and I were chatting, I asked him about having to remove my DSLR, and was this just an overzealous TSA agent, or a new rule? He said as of August 4, 2007 that all DSLR are supposed to be removed, but not all airports have instituted this new policy yet, but he felt certain most would. Just what I was hoping for, as I usually travel with two bodies, that now I have to worry about getting swiped as they pass through the x-ray machine.
Anyway, I haven’t had a chance to go to the TSA site and research this, but even if I find that it’s not accurate, what recourse do I have with a TSA agent that asks me to remove it. I’ve heard of the success rate of getting into an argument with a TSA agent. They generally win, since they can simply delay you long enough for you to miss your flight (this happened to a photographer friend of mine). Anyway, just a heads up that air travel with your DSLR may have gotten just a little bit more fun. 
Scott,
You have a right to be concerned. I was traveling with my brother-in-law. He put his camera in one of the bins, went thru the metal detector and then was asked to step aside to be wand (belt buckle). In just that short period of time, his camera walked off never to be seen again ! It would be interesting as to the statistics of how often this happens with Cameras, lap tops, cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, etc.
Scott, I’ve travelled overseas from Australia 3 times in the last year. Generally the only time security gets over zealous is on flights to the US or UK. My most recent trip was to New Zealand 4 weeks ago. This was the first time I was required to remove my dSLR (Nikon D200) from my carry on luggage. I also had to remove all lenses for inspection. I was told this is because the xray equipment get’s confused with all the electronics and metal being compacted in a small area. This must be a new thing over here as well. I’m not overly “dodgy” looking, plus my bag contained my wallet which carries a police badge, so I was hardly targeted as a suspect flyer. Something we just all need to accept these days I guess. Daniel.
Hi Scott -
I’ve looked at the TSA site and have not found anything about DSLRs. Video cameras, yes. Laptops, yes. DSLRs, no. As I will be traveling soon, I’ll investigate further.
Hi Scott,
I had a similar experience in the Memphis airport when I was on my way to PSW this year. They made us take out every single piece of electronic equipment we had with us and place it in a separate bin. They even made us remove batteries from our DSLR’s… Sounds fishy to me!
Just remember 9/11. I’d rather be safe than dead. Never give those security people a hard time cause you might end up in jail. Instead of carry on luggage maybe try putting everything into a hard case and checking it in. You’ll go through security a lot faster.
mike meyer
In response to Mike, we all remember 9/11. Unfortunately 9/11 has also resulted in a serious curtailing of our rights as photographers, not always with resulting increases in security. For example, how are tripods a threat to public buildings. How many instances of DSLRs used as bombs have you seen? Why not also inspect point and shoots? As long as we dont question the insanity of this all, we will keep losing our rights. The challenge our policymakers face is how to balance the requirements of security with the need to avoid having a police state. Scott, sorry you went through this and hope to see some sort of official word from the TSA.
Some new policies did start August 4th, but does not include DSLR’s. The TSA website with an interesting title “New Policies for Lighters, Electronics, and Breast Milk” (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/sop/index.shtm) halfway down has:
What Needs to be Screened Separately
* Laptops
* Full-size video game consoles
* Full-size DVD players
* Video cameras that use video cassettes
* CPAP breathing machines
Hi Paul:
Thanks for tracking that down. Maybe it was just an overzealous TSA agent, or his manager reported the new rule to his staff incorrectly.
Thanks for researching this.
-Scott
“Those who are willing to sacrifice a little freedom for security, deserve niether security nor freedom” B. Franklin
Wow, guess I’ll make sure my hubby goes through the security check before me now. At least if I get held up he can grab my cameras!
I usually ravel with two DSLR bodies and a laptop plus 4 to 6 lenses. The rule at this point is as far as i could find, is laptop out of the case and shoes off. If i am traveling alone, I will wait at the entrance to the xray machine with all my stuff till it is my turn to walk through the metal detector. I make sure that there is nothing that is going to set it off so that I am standing there to grab my gear as it emerges from the other side.
Back in the days of shooting film (remember those) I used to carry my film in a clear ziplock and out of the small grey film holders. This let it be hand checked much easier. One TSA agent in Chicago did the explosive wipe on all 46 rolls of film one trip.
This is my favorite bag of traveling. http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/notebook_camera/Stealth_AW_II.aspx
But if I am going to have to remove both bodies, then I will have to rethink this one as well.
Alan
I’m travelling almost every week at them moment and have noticed the change in Canada too. I travel with DSLR, 3 lenses and laptop. One agent had me removed the caps from both ends of every lens so he could look thru them. I was told that the inspection is at the discretion of the agent.
Now I try to help them and control the situation as best as I can:
(a) no metal on my body – remove my belt, shoes, watch so I know I won’t set off the detector
(b) camera gear in a bag inside a knapsack, Russian doll approach; remove the camera bag, a LowePro Omni, that gets placed in a separate bin. empty bag first, camera bag/bin next
(b) unpacked bags, shoe-less and belt-less I might send three bins and two bags thru the scanner – no problem they all go back into two bags
(d) wait with your precious stuff until the person ahead is clear of the detector, you know you are going thru without setting the detector off
This approach seems to work for me now. The agents look at the camera bag and laptop, wipe it, but I’ve organized the bags and trinkets so that things pass thru in the order that I want and I can get “dressed” while they are doing their inspection.
James
I travel with my husband, so someone is there to watch the camera, video camera, ipods, and laptop go through – I sound like a walking Best Buy. Anyway, I usually get stopped for my camera and I’ve been lucky – the one TSA agent who really pulled everything out loved photography and was very gentle. I didn’t like that he had to take a sample of dust from my lens – that looked fishy.
I always try to ship my stuff first, tell the hotel I have a box coming.
But if I can’t and I have my gear, I always request a private screening. Then you don’t have to send your cameras and laptops through.
In Response to Mike Meyer,
The last time I checked a bag with electronics inside, I wound up with an empty bag when I got home… They got everything from my DSLR to my iPod cable, although they did leave me the lens cap! Man I just LOVE the airport workers at JFK.
Hey Scott,
I found out when I flew to Vegas for Photoshop World. I was very concerned as well and I tried to keep a close monitor (likea hawk) of my $6000 (with lens) camera on a separate bin, as well as my $2000 laptop computer.
I guess, it’s better safe than sorry.
Checked baggage can also cause problems. Check out “I Shut Down The Little Rock Airport” – http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1833
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Ben Franklin
http://www.futureofthebook.com/stories/storyReader$605
It appears to be a new policy. The Las Vegas TSA last night said “any camera larger than your fist,” which seems a pretty bizarre way of putting it. When I complied with my two D2x bodies, he said “now that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Yes, it was. The fellow pulling the bins through the path to hasten getting them to the end managed to send them from one end of the bin to the other post haste. Meanwhile there was still plenty of stuff in my bag that would be more interesting to the X-ray machine.
This is where the pro organizations need to come up. Just like we had to intervene to get film “hand inspected,” I suspect that the long-term solution will be hand inspection again. TSA doesn’t want to do that, as it slows things down, but so does taking out a laptop, taking out camera bodies, taking off shoes, and on and on.
As for the origin of the change, it almost certainly has to come from a specific threat (that’s where the camcorder prohibition came from). What bothers me is that this is all nonsense. Flying around the world as much as I do, I can tell you this: the only attempt at a shoe bomb came on an International flight into the US. The only flights I’ve never been asked to take my shoes off on are international flights into the US. Personally, I feel no safer today than I did on September 11th, a day I was flying from the NYC area to San Francisco to go teach a workshop (no, never made it off the ground).
If you check your gear in a Pelican or similar hardcase, go ahead and put a sign on the outside that says “I have really expensive stuff in here so please break in and take it because those TSA locks are sooo secure!” I know way to many people that have lost gear by checking it in a hard case. The best method is to A.) carry it on, or B.) ship it ahead. Shipping can be a pain in the rear and you still have to depend on the hotel staff to keep it safe which is why I always try to carry it on board. I have yet to be asked to remove my gear from my bag. I always carry a laptop which does get pulled from the bag and placed in the bin as required. If you do get flagged for screening (it’s not always because you set off the detector) ask the TSA agent to secure your belongings for you. If you are polite, they will most likely comply. As for the new TSA regulations, I couldn’t find any that applied to DSLRs but they do have the ability to inspect any piece of luggage at their discretion. After all, there are still bad folks out there doing very creative things with explosives, e.g., the Richard Reed shoe bomb. So remember, be polite, be courteous, and be greatful to your civil servants that are keeping us safe.
You could just tape over any logos that might indicate that its a camera bag. Or use a camera bag that looks more like a regular backpack.
I’m in the movie industry. A friend who is a sound mixer told me of another mixer who would check a couple of Pelican cases of gear everytime he flew. He would place an unloaded starter pistol in each case, and declare them at the counter when he checked in. This would cause a TSA agent to come over, take him and his bags to a room, and the agent would then inspect and secure the cases and take them to a secure area until time to load the plane. Because these cases contained firearms, they got special treatment from the time he checked in until claiming them at his destination. I’ve never tried it, but it seems like something to look into. Of course, then they just add to to a list of travellers with firearms!!
In short, never, ever, ever check your expensive camera equipment or other such optics. Not only do your risk them being stolen (see horror stories above) but if damaged most airlines will NOT reimburse you for them. Even their piddly 250-500 dollar reimbursement will not go toward cameras, spotting scopes, binoculars, etc. Read that fine print! I carry on everything when I travel, and have it down to such a science that I can get all my clothes, tripod, 500mm f4, selection of standard lenses, moderate zoom (70-200 f2.8), laptop and two DSLR bodies into a bag for the overhead compartment and a smaller bag for under the seat. This of course only really works when I travel to the warm climates, but I’m getting it down for cold weather as well…
Interesting story. I just got back from a trip to London where I had my Rebel XT + 4 lenses with me. Flew from Seattle, through Newark, to Heathrow. Same route back. Never was asked to remove my camera.
I also knew someone that would put a biohazard sticker on the side of the pelicans to “discourage” folks from looking in. I don’t know how well that would fly in this day and age but I can tell you that he never once had anything removed.
I got caught by this new rule a couple of days after it went into effect. The overzealous TSA folk made me empty my camera bag – everything with _any_ electronics in it into a bin. I sent the wife through first and then waited until the bin disappeared into the x-ray machine before walking through the metal detector. They gave me a little grief for holding up the line, but were surprisingly sympathetic when I explained that after making me take everything out of the bag there was no way I was going to just walk away from it… Of course, I travel with a Kata-103 backpack, which does a pretty good job of separating out all of the gear into nice little compartments with no stacking, so it isn’t like they gained anything by making me remove it all from the bag.
Mike Myers, ARE YOU KIDDING???
9/11 was caused by someone carrying a camera through security that was then used to knock down two buildings? Really. I missed those details. Are are cars scanned before they drive into buildings with explosives attached, nope!
Some of the TSA folks have a big ego to protect and do some strange things, where in other airports they dont. Ever had something removed from your ag in one airport but not another? So the plastic expplosive you were carrying only explodes in some cities?
just traveled from from Lexington, KY to Phoenix and back…did not have to remove my DSLR from the bag…sounds overzealous to me….
Just as an aside – when I went poking thru the tsa site looking for new rules and those I knew existed – I found that the site isn’t very well organized so I dropped them a line asking about dslrs and stated their site could be more user friendly and also suggested an auto email notification like the FDA recalls where frequent fliers could get email notifications regarding new rules and changes. Let’s see if they take to the suggestions.
My cousin’s bag was locked with a TSA lock and when she arrived at her home airport her camera was gone along with photos of her trip to San Fran. Checked bags are certainly not safe bags. Now I only use them for my tripod, not so great clothes and worn shoes which are the best for traveling anyway. It is a pain to take any kind of camera stuff on a plane these days, but if it is your passion, you must just go along. In the old film days we kept our film from the xray machines by putting warnings to photo labs that the film had been pushed to 3200 on the bag. No one seems to know what it means so they would hand inspect them. My concern now is that by making us remove lenses, all kinds of dust etc. will end up on the sensors. Can someone think of something so that this does not happen? Also, I am considering a diaper bag with lots of diapers, sanitary napkins and tampons on top. At least the diapers make good padding for my camera stuff.
I flew out of Portland ME yesterday, much to my surprise , I had all of my photo gear removed and sniffed also. I have traveled around the world with the exactly the same bag/gear combination and I have never had a problem before this flight. Either something is going on or it is another uptick in the “Be afraid, be very afraid!” political climate of this administation.
A related link from the TSA website has already been posted, but here’s another link to the TSA site that shows that DSLRs are not on the list to be taken out separately for x-ray (in the Step 1 see “IN – OUT – OFF” section):
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1049.shtm
It could very well be that they had an internal memo go out recently that said they needed to check all “bigger” electronic devices. Or maybe their website hasn’t been updated yet. Or, you just happen to run into a TSA employee that was on a “power trip.”
I recently traveled between Portland and San Francisco with my Canon DSLR and 3 lenses, and didn’t have to remove it from my backpack from either airport.
So I’d lean toward the “power trip” explanation.
Speaking as someone that knows a bit about security I would have to say that most folks who have commented on here have an understanding that spot checking carry-ons is a reality in our air travels and more importantly, a necessary evil. I’m sure most of you know why you can no longer take large quantities of liquids on a plane. That’s right, because a group of people were going to smuggle explosive liquid compounds on to a plane in “ordinary” containers and then mix them and use them to blow up a plane. What we see as a nuisance is actually a process that is in place to safeguard every person on an aircraft. Personally I would rather see someone being “over-zealous” in searching a bag then to have a bunch of robots that blindly let anything and everything pass through the security screening. Believe it or not, air travel is not a God given right. It is a privilege that comes with rules and restrictions. Personally I am feeling lucky that I can still bring a carry-on bag aboard the plane at all. I think the day is coming when all carry-on luggage will be dis-allowed by the TSA and FAA. Now that would really suck (but just think how quickly everyone would get into their seats without trying to find overhead storage).
I just flew to LA last week and was startled to run into this rule. Now I have to take my computer, my 5D, and any large lenses out of my bag which is no fun at all. So, I second your experience, I’m quite sure it’s a rule.
Kudos to jeff above. You hit the nail on the head and that’s exactly what I was trying to say. Flying is very dangerous and TSA agents aren’t being overzealous or on a power trip. They are doing there job by keeping you safe. Your bags may not be packed with explosives but the next guys might be. And it doesn’t take much to blow a hole in a plane and bring it down so yes bigger cameras and larger gear should be checked. Can’t we all just get along. So sit back and relax and enjoy your flight.
mike meyer
I agree with you Mike but I do think TSA needs to get their act together. When I flew there was no notice of this new rule and I must say, there has never been notice of any rules except on their web site but nothing in the line. All we hear is a TSA agent yelling at us like a drill sergeant.
My expeirence last week flying home from LA was no fun, and I get how to flow to make life easier for both TSA and me.
Guys (and gals),
It isn’t just photographers. I work for an airline, and back when we make roadtrips to work on a grounded aircraft, we dread flying any carrier other than our own. If we fly on our aircraft as part of the crew we can bypass TSA. If we fly on another carrier we have to check all of our tools, parts, and supplies. I have been taken to the “back room” because of my tools. (I’m an electronics tech, so yep, I carry all the things that could look like the makings of a bomb) We carry ID that shows we have been through every background check and probing one could imagine, yet we are just like any other traveler; a potential threat to the safety of others. Keep in mind that TSA workers, especially at the gates are what we refer to as knuckle draggers. (LOL)
Enjoy the flights and stay safe!
Nick
Hi Scott~
I live here in Minneapolis and have had the same thing happen to me with Northworst!
I don’t mind if the agent has to look through my camera bag…
What kills me is that after they take everything out of my bag and open everything up, take every lens out of every case, they just stand there and look at me… then they walk away!!!
Hey TSA! PUT THE STUFF BACK IN THE BAG THE WAY I HAD IT WOULD YA!
Yeah Mike Meyer – so you’d support the following new rules?
1. no hand luggage ever. for anyone.
2. nobody to board a plane who comes from any place that has ever had a terrorist bred in their jurisdiction (I guess that rules out travel by any Americans!)
3. racial profiling for everyone else.
That would probably make us safer – are you willing to turn the place into a police state because a few criminals committed a crime? I do not want to diminish the awfulness of the crime on 9/11 but at the end of the day it’s just a crime committed by criminals…and no reason to impose arbitary or undue power relationships by the TSA on passengers.
The short solution is to not travel alone and have 1 person watch the hand luggage on the belt while the other is being dealt with. Safety (from the TSA) in numbers as they say
Also packing it in a nondescript bag is a good idea.
here is the response to my DSLR inquiry to the TSA:
Thank you for contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Contact Center.
Laptop computers, full-size video game consoles, full-size DVD players, CPAP breathing machines and video cameras that use video cassettes must be removed from their carrying cases and submitted separately for x-ray screening. Laptop computers and video cameras that use cassettes have long been subject to this policy. Small and portable electronic items do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.
We hope this information is helpful. For additional information, please visit our web site at http://www.tsa.gov.
TSA Contact Center
In response to TE above, I don’t remember saying anything about racial profiling, or banning anyone from a plane. But yes if they said no carry-on anything and I need to get accross our great country in a few hours. I guess if you all don’t like the new TSA rules or overzealous power hungry behaviour of the agents then you can always drive a car or take a bus or train from New York to LA, you know if you’ve got that kind of time to burn.
mike meyer
I had no problem flying this summer into USA with my gear (3 dSLR’s and some lenses) with my ThinkTank Airport International bag, but I’m sure things has changed since. The odd thing I notice when flying both intenational and national, that the airports all have different sensitivity regarding what they check for and not.
To flying photographers (and those flying in general a lot), let me point you to the direction of a great PJ, who’s flying a lot and has a great blog which helps you with ideas and thoughts about flying wih your gear:
http://flyingwithfish.blogspot.com/
Scott
What you encountered at MSP by the TSA is in violation of the TSA’s rules regarding what is “large electronics” and what gets removed and placed in a separate tray. SLR and DSLR camera do not need to be removed like a video camera, laptop, full-size DVD players, CPAP breathing machines or full-size video game console. The TSA may choose to open and inspect your bag after it has passed through x-ray , however they should not require you to remove the body prior to it’s passing through the screening point.
You can review the TSA rules for allowed, disallowed and other related carry on items on their web site at: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/sop/index.shtm
The TSA has little consistency from day to day. This is due to a number of reasons, one is TSA agents not having all the information that need. Another is the high turn over of TSA agents and a third is that the US Dept of Homeland Security has been subcontracting out airport security to private firms at some airports (which means that the security is not under the direct directive of the TSA or the Federal Gov’t, such as at San Francisco Int’l Airport).
You won’t win your argument in line, however just know that the agent you encountered will not correctly informed and was making up his own policy on site.
You can get more info on travel on my blog for traveling photographers at http://www.flyingwithfish.com
Happy Flying!
-Fish
5 flights in two weeks through Chicago, Nashville, Jacksonville and Detroit: at each airport, the TSA officer confirmed that you should remove any electronics (not just SLRs) larger than an iPod, PDA/BlackBerry, or small point and shoot camera.
If you think it’s security overkill fine; write the TSA, the President, and your Congressman. Just don’t argue with the TSA officer at the airport and hold all of us up. Assume they’ll ask you to remove everything and pack accordingly. It took me an extra minute to unpack and repack my SLR each time… how long does it take you?
In July/August, I travelled Dubai-London-Toronto-Vancouver-Anchorage and return. Part of the reason for the trip was so my wife and I could attend an Arthur Morris IPT so we had all our photography gear. The trick was flying through the UK as UK airports now only allow a single carry on through. I had all our big lenses, the flashes and the backup D70 in a nondescript roller and the D200, D80 and 4 lenses in my Xtra Hand vest. The vest didn’t count against hand luggage although one of the crew making you compact your stuff into one bag tried to tell me no on our return trip, one of her colleagues said it was OK. The roller got checked twice, the vest just went through the machine. Last summer, I used a Tamarac CyberPack and was stopped and swabbed at every stop but one including London Stansted where they were even swabbing battery packs.
Sure not fun to travel any more … We’re getting to dread the flights. If it weren’t for having to visit family at least once a year, we’d stick to UAE and Oman. Going into the US is the worst, followed by the UK. At least in the UK security is usually polite, whereas in the US many seem to be on a power trip.
Has anyone tried taking a Pocket Wizard or similar “triggering” device thru lately. They are focusing on kids toys now (as opposed to “adult toys” I guess), I would think PWs and similar won’t be far behind.
George
I fly with Pocket Wizard in my carry on often and have never been questioned about that. I have been questioned about 2″ x 10yds of Gaffers Tape , but never the pocket wizards. My set up in the carry on is usually two receivers and one transmitter.
You can find more info on my blog for flying photogs at http://www.flyingwithfish.com
Happy Flying!
-Fish
I went through the FNT airport on Sunday and DSM on the way back and they both were checking cameras. While I didn’t have mine they did check my LCD prrjector (pulled it out separatly). Message was that all electronics will be checked routinely.
Lucian
An LCD projector is a “full size” electronic and should be checked out.
Over the past two months, domestically I have flown through HVN,PVD, PHL, ORD, BDL, JFK, EWR, CLT and YVR in Canada. I have not had my three 1D series bodies removed once.
-Fish
http://www.flyingwithfish.com
As someone mentioned above, Northworst developed their name through years of less than stellar service. I avoid them when I can.
As far as TSA rules go, my only problem is the inconsistency. Why is something so potentially dangerous in one airport and not in another? Why do they only decide to check things out after there’s a credible report of potential use by terrorists. They focused for so long on shoes but practically ignored everything else. I remember traveling a year or two ago with a bag full of camera bodies, lenses, radios, slaves, and assorted other electronic equipment. I had a hand inspection since I had some film. They asked me to open my bag, and then they looked in at a bunch of electronics, that I’m sure they had no clue about, yet they never asked me to turn anything on, or even explain what anything was, yet I had to take my shoes of, and had every single roll of film opened and swabbed.
Beyond all of this though is my new concern, which is the report that flying causes gamma rays to damage DSLR sensors. Anybody hear about this? I’d ship the equipment, but often I travel last minute.