I am shooting a wedding event in Texas next week and would like the opinion(s) of you all that have recently dealt with the carry on aspect of gear and the TSA (Security). I will be using a compliant weight and carry on size case [Tamrac]. My question is, will I have this run through Xray or hand checked. What are the pros and cons of each method? With a hand check I would want to be present so I can pack & unpack and assure everything is handled with care... I have no experience with Xcountry travel and would appreciate any experienced comments. Hopefully there will be at least a couple.
Travelling with D1x, d100, sb24 & 800s, numerous cards up to 2 gig, 2 turbo batteries, rechargeable AAs (a ton), laptop, blank CDs, radio slaves, 3 lenses.
A concern regarding storage is Xrays pertaining to CDs, and CF cards.
Thank you,
Ed
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
You can request a hand inspection, rather than the x-ray. They wil inspect it right in front of you. That being said, X-rays will not harm CF cards- the beauty of being film free...
I never check camera gear, always carry it on. Check with the airline you are flying on to see what their carry-on bag requirements are- they vary from airline to airline.
good luck
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I always take mine on as hand luggage, which goes through the x-ray machine alongside when I go through the metal detector. This includes CF cards, which I have been told have more chance of being damages by magnetic type metal detectors rather than X-Ray (opposite for film)
I have never had my case opened to check contents (just lucky I guess)
Word of warning though - Pick the size of your hand luggage case carefully, to stop the flight attendant putting it in the cabin hold rather than in overhead locker/under the seat, as they tend to stack the luggage next to the toilet, and force the cage door to close - which could result in damage to your equipment....
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I've sent my carry-on bag with photo equipment through x-ray the five times I've flown since 9-11. Each time I did not have to unpack and have a visual inspection done after x-ray. I would dread having to unpack everything and am extremely happy I didn't have to go through that procedure.
Laptops have to be taken out of any carrying case. They can be left closed. I simply put mine in one of the gray trays provided before it goes through X-ray.
John
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I fly quite a bit with photo gear, including internationally with a maximum-sized carry-on (Tamrac.) Some people have reported occasional problems with inspectors, so be nice and pleasant, because there's nothing in the rules that says you can't fly with your stuff. The problems, other people have reported, is that some inspectors tend to make up their own rules on the spot, knowing that if you try to argue, the delay itself will mess you up. I personally have never run into this, but I am a very straight-looking, white-haired sixty-ish guy and I wear khakis and a sport coat when I'm flying; I try to look even straighter than I am.
You have to take your laptop out of the case at the inspection and have it inspected separately; you put it in a separate little plastic pan that runs through the x-ray machine. I've never had a problem with the X-ray machines with any of my digital. They also have a pat-down routine that you might have to go through; they select people at random for the pat-down check.
Pay close attention to the guy above who said to be careful about carry-on size. Sometimes, especially lately, it seems, the flight attendants get unhappy about large heavy carry-ons, and they tell you you have to gate-check it, which means they put it in the hold. There's really no appeal; they claim that they're over-loaded, it's for flight safety, etc. You are, however, allowed to carry one carry-on luggage (the Tamrac) plus a purse or briefcase. You'd be safest to carry a slightly smaller Tamrac than the max allowed, so it looks smaller, plus a briefcase, which you could stuff with extra photo equipment. I think Michael Reichman on Luminous Landscape has a short essay somewhere on packing the max equipment for airline flights, and I think I recall that he does this.
If you are questioned by a flight attendant, who wants to take your bag away, tell her that it has $25,000 worth of photo equipment (they never know) and ask if the airline will pay for it if it gets stolen. Telling her its for a wedding shoot might also soften her up. Generally, act pathetic yet polite...8-)
JC
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Thanks for the suggestions. It gives me a little more confidence. There would be nothing worse than having to rent equipment... I believe my carry-on is on the smaller size 21x14x11" @ 35lbs (it is not "maxed out") which is why I specifically choose it.
One final question: would arriving earlier at the check-in make things go "smoother"? Or how early prior to the flight do you arrive for inspection?
Thanks to all for the replies. Much appreciated!
Ed
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
If you get there too early they have plenty of time to paw through your stuff instead of letting you go on like when they're busy. On the other hand, you're not stressing about making the flight. Generally boarding starts a half hour before the flight leaves and you need to add the time to get through security, which can take a long time in airports like Miami. Note on laptops. Be sure the battery is charged, sometimes they ask you to turn on the laptop to show it works...
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
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