Traveling through airports.

Fleacz · Mar 28, 2011

hey guys, can someone tell me what the security checkpoints at airports are like if im bringing my DSLR camera with lenses and its all in my pelican case ? i know it seems really specific what im asking, but i just want to know what to expect. also im curious if the xray machine may do any damage to my camera.

480sparky · Mar 28, 2011

My gear has been x-rayed many times going into public buildings with no ill effect.

Rekd · Mar 28, 2011

Depends on the airport. You shouldn't have problems as long as you're not pulling it out shooting while you're in the airport.

And no, the x-rays will not hurt your camera or digital media. They may ask you to take the camera out of the case and scan it separately but again, that depends on the airport.

I just went through San Diego, San Francisco and Medford airports with no problems at all. The Medford airport didn't bother me with taking the camera out (I offered to), they only wanted the laptop out.

altitude604 · Mar 28, 2011

highly dependent on what airport and can even depend on how the Security Agent is feeling that day.

i've done a lot of travelling with a backpack full of DSLR and DJ gear with no problems though.

Canon Man · Mar 28, 2011

In U.S. and most of Western countries the scanning machines are sohisticated enough to scan your camera bag with no questions asked. As long as you don't put any liquids there (you probably wouldn't) and plastic explosives.

Fleacz · Mar 28, 2011

ok thanks guys really helpful / simple answers

c.cloudwalker · Mar 28, 2011

Is your Pelican case carry-on size? The airlines are way more interested in making some green off of you than they are about security and will be a pain about over-sized carry-on.

Other than the size of your case, there shouldn't be any problem>

But here are a few things that have happened to me in the last few months at airports:

1/ I've looked at a few of the newfangled scan machines in a few different airports sitting abandoned. And I didn't see anyone having to drop their pants, lol. Do those machines even work?

2/ I went through the oldfangled scan machine with my belt which has metal in it and a pack of cigarette in my shirt pocket and the darn thing didn't buzz... This was at ATL.

3/ After once more packing my lighter in my checked luggage, I went to the "bookstore" that is beyond security because I was out of reading material and bought a lighter there...

Enjoy your flight.

RockstarPhotography · Mar 28, 2011

I would take out any kind of liquid lens cleaner you may have just to be safe.

spacefuzz · Mar 28, 2011

Ive never had a problem taking my camera through the airport, at least two dozen times in the last two years. Ive also never had a problem taking pictures of planes on the tarmac through windows, and even some shots of the terminal if it has nice lighting. But I wouldnt take pictures of the security area, that would probobly land you in a small room with some annoyed people asking tough questions.

Garbz · Mar 29, 2011

RockstarPhotography said:
I would take out any kind of liquid lens cleaner you may have just to be safe.

Anything in small bottles should be fine. Actually funny thing is they took off me an empty! tube of toothpaste because of it's ability to hold more than the set amount of liquid specified on the limit, and then proceeded to completely miss the 600mL bottle of coke that was in my bag.

Big Mike · Mar 29, 2011

Several years ago, when I did more traveling for work, I had my camera swiped a few tries. They take a soft pad and swipe it on the camera, then run the pad for traces of explosives or whatever. It took about 20 seconds and I was on my way. Lately, they just run the bag through the scanner and that's it.
The thing that caused more trouble was a tape measure, that drew the attention of many security personal at the scanning station.

As mentioned, make sure that you bag/case will fit the allowable size for carry-on...and don't forget to weight it. I'm sure my camera bag is bigger than the test rack, but I can usually cram it into an overhead bin when needed.

imagemaker46 · Mar 29, 2011

I travel with all my gear on the plane with me, including my 400 2.8 which I just carry on my shoulder, rest of the gear is in the bag and my laptop. I've had no problems ever, sometimes they do go through the bag and look at the gear, do a cloth and machine check looking for any kind of chemical/explosive trace, sometimes it sets the machine off for no apparent reason and they can't tell you what it was they picked up, but it's no big deal, they record your name and flight, sign a piece of paper and you're on your way. Most of the time I end up talking about the gear and the "big" lens. It's all good, just doing their jobs.

chiconian · Nov 20, 2012

Hello. I am also going to be traveling (going through airport security) with my camera soon and would like to know what type of protective gear everyone is using. Would something simple like a DSLR camera insert in my backpack suffice? Your help is much appreciated.
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TruckerDave · Nov 20, 2012

Protective gear??? I just use a small camera bag (which has a nice pocket for my kindle and pocket for phone and ipod). This fits under tbe seat in front so i have easy access, and i try to be considerate and only take one spot with my carry on in the overhead bin. And if im only gone for a day or so....everybody goes in the carryon (small camera and all) and into the overhead bin. (The advantage of priority boarding)

Dont over think it, keep it simple and be considerate of other fliers.