Camera equipment and travel

mgblunt · Mar 13, 2016

I have a two part question
1) Will airport scanning equipment damage camera equipment such as SD cards and sensors?
2) I carry my travel equipment in a backpack will the backpack cause a issue when entering a airport?

If anyone has this information I would greatly appreciate your input.
Mike,

weepete · Mar 13, 2016

1) no
2) no, provided there's nothing in your hand luggage that shouldn't be there and your backpack falls within size limits. (Assuming you are going to be travelling)

Jeremy Z · Mar 17, 2016

weepete nailed it.

They might ask to have a look in your camera bag, with all those tubular things and circuits, so I'd just allow a bit more time for that and all will be well.

Dave442 · Mar 18, 2016

I've had airport people complain about too many batteries in the carry-on. Lithium ion batteries have to be taken carry-on, not in checked baggage, and spares outside the camera need covers over the terminals.

In Mexico you have to take the camera out along with the computer, but don't have to take off your shoes.

Lots of people travel with backpacks so that should not be a problem.

KmH · Mar 18, 2016

When my backpack stuffed full of camera equipment goes through the x-ray machine, without opening it TSA guys often ask - "Nikon or Canon?"
They know what camera gear looks like.

nerwin · Mar 19, 2016

I don't think the X-Ray scanners will do anything but I have read some horror stories. SanDisk and other memory card manufacturers even say they are x-ray proof or whatever.

I'd personally be more worried about the TSA. I've heard some stories from photographer friends of mine of them being rough with the gear. One time a TSA agent was being rude and didn't like that he had all these compartments on his camera bag that they had to check and the agent mishandled the the camera and dropped it.

But I don't really know as I'm not really allowed to fly. Lol.

mgblunt · Mar 23, 2016

Well it looks like after the attack in Brussels there won't be much chance of escaping the grope down and unpacking everything I have, get there early way early!