Airport Security and dSLRs

hyson

Hey guys, will x-ray examination (or however else they check bags) effect the equipment in dSLRs at all at the airport?

I can ask for hand check if this process should be avoided.

Thanks for the help.

ivar

hyson wrote:

Hey guys, will x-ray examination (or however else they check bags) effect the equipment in dSLRs at all at the airport?

I can ask for hand check if this process should be avoided.

Thanks for the help.

Not sure, but I don't think many (of the bigger) airports will allow you to not have it go through the scanner...

denisegoldberg

I haven't had any problems with my cameras (or memory cards), and they have gone through airport screening machines many times.

--- Denise

hyson

I actually found the answer:

Linky McClickster

Thanks for the quick reply.

wxwax

hyson wrote:

Hey guys, will x-ray examination (or however else they check bags) effect the equipment in dSLRs at all at the airport?

Not in the slightest. Perfectly safe.

Been through many times.

claudermilk

Digital doesn't care about x-ray, even film gear it doesn't matter. It's only the film itself that is affected.

Phyxius

When I went to Vegas (from BWI - Balitmore-Washington International) last spring after they scanned my stuff they asked if I had a camera with lenses in my bag. I said yes and they said they had to open the bag and check everything. I said that was fine as long as they didn't drop anything.

They actually had to run a little bit of paper over everything, checkinfg for explosive residue. When I came back, Vegas did not take out the lenses.



But, no as everyone else said your equipment will be fine going thru the machines. Have a good trip!

dogwood

Yeah, no probs. I've flown dozens of time with my gear. But... that said... you should ALWAYS have your photos backed up. Maybe a portable HD drive? A laptop? And NEVER EVER NEVER EVER check you DSLR in your checked baggage. Over the x-mas holiday, I saw a bag arrive on the baggage conveyor belt! Yup, the TSA forgot to zip it back up after they searched it and there was a string of clothes fanned out around the bag-- the poor owner of the bag was embarassed since her undies were strung out.

Phyxius

dogwood wrote:

Yeah, no probs. I've flown dozens of time with my gear. But... that said... you should ALWAYS have your photos backed up. Maybe a portable HD drive? A laptop? And NEVER EVER NEVER EVER check you DSLR in your checked baggage. Over the x-mas holiday, I saw a bag arrive on the baggage conveyor belt! Yup, the TSA forgot to zip it back up after they searched it and there was a string of clothes fanned out around the bag-- the poor owner of the bag was embarassed since her undies were strung out.

This is why I SOO do NOT pack like a girl and jam everything into a carry on. Of course, that totally won't be able to happen for the GNP shoot out.

Also, pack everything in ziplock bags, cause if the check point people DO want to check stuff it's much less embarrassing to have them pull out a compressed plastic bag than frilly stuff.

marlinspike

Phyxius wrote:

They actually had to run a little bit of paper over everything, checkinfg for explosive residue. When I came back, Vegas did not take out the lenses.

It depends on both the quality of the x-ray machine and the quality of the x-ray machine operator.

wxwax

marlinspike wrote:

It depends on both the quality of the x-ray machine and the quality of the x-ray machine operator.

Personally, I think they do it when they're bored.

It's only happened to me twice. Both times, it was slow and they had nothing else to do.

marlinspike

wxwax wrote:

Personally, I think they do it when they're bored.

It's only happened to me twice. Both times, it was slow and they had nothing else to do.

They've done it to me when it's busy as all get out. One day I finally asked why sometimes they check and sometimes they don't when I always pack exactly the same and they told me it comes down to the quality of the machine and moreso the quality of the operator...so I started watching operators and it seemed to be true.

wxwax

marlinspike wrote:

They've done it to me when it's busy as all get out. One day I finally asked why sometimes they check and sometimes they don't when I always pack exactly the same and they told me it comes down to the quality of the machine and moreso the quality of the operator...so I started watching operators and it seemed to be true.

Interesting, thanks.

You can tell that some operators have greater proficiency?

marlinspike

wxwax wrote:

Interesting, thanks.

You can tell that some operators have greater proficiency?

Some operators seem to actually care, and you can tell the older guys who've got some experience at this. Plus, the guys at the major airports typically are better. For instance, if the guy is working at Dulles International Airport during a rush, he probably knows what he's doing.

wxwax

marlinspike wrote:

Some operators seem to actually care, and you can tell the older guys who've got some experience at this. Plus, the guys at the major airports typically are better. For instance, if the guy is working at Dulles International Airport during a rush, he probably knows what he's doing.

Funny that, I had the gear wiped down at National.

colourbox

Your digital cards are sure are a lot safer than film ever was. Be glad you weren't these guys:

'Lost' loses footage in airport blunder

All it takes is one TSA employee who isn't paying attention...

Phyxius

marlinspike wrote:

Some operators seem to actually care, and you can tell the older guys who've got some experience at this. Plus, the guys at the major airports typically are better. For instance, if the guy is working at Dulles International Airport during a rush, he probably knows what he's doing.

Yup, this was during a major morning business rush at Baltimore-Washington International. They were real nice about it and weren't fumbling about.

I had all kinds of weird stuff with me when I was going down to Mississippi not to long ago. Again I flew out of BWI (with a lay over in St. Louis), landed in Memphis and then drove down pass Tupelo. I had in my carry on, a medium size 15 yr old video camera, a fuji finepix, a riding helmet, and spurs. They made me take off my sweatshirt, but that's about it. Oh, and I had a black eye for the flight home (by way of Chicago). Then again, I'm sure they see all kinds of weird things.

marlinspike

wxwax wrote:

Funny that, I had the gear wiped down at National.

National may be in DC, but honestly it's the worst. Actually, I quite like the old un-renovated wing, but the new wing seems to be run like a zoo sometimes.

mwgrice

dogwood wrote:

Yeah, no probs. I've flown dozens of time with my gear. But... that said... you should ALWAYS have your photos backed up. Maybe a portable HD drive? A laptop? And NEVER EVER NEVER EVER check you DSLR in your checked baggage. Over the x-mas holiday, I saw a bag arrive on the baggage conveyor belt! Yup, the TSA forgot to zip it back up after they searched it and there was a string of clothes fanned out around the bag-- the poor owner of the bag was embarassed since her undies were strung out.

I'd be less worried about that than I would be about my gear disappearing. I'm afraid I don't have a lot of faith in the honesty of airport security these days.

System

It won't hurt the camera or cards but it might get you pulled out into the super rad people special line. I've been singled out the past 4 trips through to get the heavy duty search.