re:flying with cameras / camcorders etc, freaking out a little

[dburg30]

OK, what do I need to have out / on / etc when I fly. I have a backpack style bag that is actually within carry on limits that holds bascially everything I need. It'll have my laptop, digital rebel, lenses, camcorder, chargers, batteries, cards, mini dv tapes etc.. you get the point. What should I expect as far as going thru security. I've actually considered just packing everything up in a good box, with packaging, and shipping the whole backpack ahead of me. Of course I really dont want to do that, but.. I'm just not a seasoned traveller. I posted this here as opposed to the transportation forum as I figure folks here would know a little better

 

[SharonLowe]

OK, what do I need to have out / on / etc when I fly. I have a backpack style bag that is actually within carry on limits that holds bascially everything I need. It'll have my laptop, digital rebel, lenses, camcorder, chargers, batteries, cards, mini dv tapes etc.. you get the point. What should I expect as far as going thru security. I've actually considered just packing everything up in a good box, with packaging, and shipping the whole backpack ahead of me. Of course I really dont want to do that, but.. I'm just not a seasoned traveller. I posted this here as opposed to the transportation forum as I figure folks here would know a little better

laptop - take out of backpack and put it in its own bin - nothing else in with it (no chargers, batteries, etc.).

camcorder - take it out and put in own bin - make sure they are able to turn it on and see that it works (ie., have a tape inside) but they don't necessarily do that.

All other things can stay in the backpack.

Make sure you see all your bags go in the x-ray machine before going through the security checkpoint and then go through security holding your boarding pass. Don't leave the conveyor belt until all your things come through.

Don't forget to remove your shoes too. And, for liquids, of course 3-1-1 - 3 ounce bottles/containers; 1 quart sized plastic bag; 1 bag per person. Check the TSA site for what is considered a liquid - I never carry on any liquids (other than epi pen which doesn't count) so not sure what is or is not a liquid.

No matter what, it is still much easier than taking film on-board.

 

[dburg30]

Cool.. electronics where my only concern, all our other stuff will be in checked baggage.. Does the laptop need to be on or again, just able to be turned on..

So I'll be using at least 3 bins..

backpack with accessories - shoes - keys etc..

laptop in bin by itself

camcoder in bin by itself - with tape in it, ready to be turned on (or I may just turn it on as I put it in)

in december if I have a coat, it would go in a bin also..

My wife will be with me, sine I'll have all this stuff should she go after me to kinda keep an eye, or before me to see stuff coming out other side?

 

[My2Girls66]

No bin for backpack- its prob. too big. Make sure backpack is all zipped up so nothing can fall out while going thru the machine. I'd send your wife thru 1st so she's there when your stuff comes out in case it beats you thru the line.
There is usually a list of things to do just before you get to the checkpoint or they will be announcing what you need to do. They all seem to require that laptops and camcorders be out of their cases and in bins. Occasionally they will pull out a camera to check it for residues. I don't know how many people I've seen carrying bottles of water/juice/soda- unopened to the checkpoint only to be told to throw it away I don't bring anything I don't need.
Relax and enjoy the trip

 

[dburg30]

Relax and enjoy the trip

I'll try.. I mean even if they decide to go thru all my stuff, it's not like I'm going to miss my flight, I'm one of those that gets there way earlier then needed .

Just for some reason I start freaking out when I think about it...

At least I'll be leaving my 'bigma' 50-500 at home so I wont have to worry about them thinking I have a missle launcher in there

 

[NostalgicDad]

Good advice from the previous posters. You don't need to turn on the laptop and they won't turn it on either. I've heard that some airports actually want your DSLR out of the bag but I've never experienced it at all. Even though the TSA is running the show, some airports are a little different than others with certain things for some reason.

And, as previously mentioned, just relax. I travel on business a lot and almost always forget to do everything 100% right for them. It basically reminds me of the Seinfeld episode regarding the soup nazi......No flight for you!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

OK, what do I need to have out / on / etc when I fly. I have a backpack style bag that is actually within carry on limits that holds bascially everything I need. It'll have my laptop, digital rebel, lenses, camcorder, chargers, batteries, cards, mini dv tapes etc.. you get the point. What should I expect as far as going thru security. I've actually considered just packing everything up in a good box, with packaging, and shipping the whole backpack ahead of me. Of course I really dont want to do that, but.. I'm just not a seasoned traveller. I posted this here as opposed to the transportation forum as I figure folks here would know a little better

We usually fly with a plethora of electronics - cell phone, PSP, camcorder, DSLR camera, P&S camera, iPod and all the cords, tapes, batteries etc. We purchased a Lowepro Micro Trekker which holds our camcorder, cameras, lenses, tapes, cords and batteries. Our PSP, cell phone and ipod are all in another carry-on in their own cases. With regard to security, we've never had any problems, or were asked to remove or turn on any electronics up until this past trip in October when Bonny was randomly selected for additional screening here in Edmonton. Only then did she have to open our Trekker (not turn anything on) and turn on our PSP. We've never had any problems flying out of Orlando.

 

[My2Girls66]

I had my film slr checked at Tampa Airport quite a few years ago and my D50 checked more recently(can't remember where- maybe Phoenix). They just ask you to take it out and they swab it. No big deal. The airports are the most stressful part of travelling for me. Once I'm on the plane I relax.
Enjoy!

 

[bumbershoot]

My wife will be with me, sine I'll have all this stuff should she go after me to kinda keep an eye, or before me to see stuff coming out other side?

I will actually keep my bins from going into the machine, until I'm walking up to the metal detector to go through, b/c I have no interest in having my stuff out of my sight (other than when it's going through).

 

[SharonLowe]

Cool.. electronics where my only concern, all our other stuff will be in checked baggage.. Does the laptop need to be on or again, just able to be turned on..

So I'll be using at least 3 bins..

backpack with accessories - shoes - keys etc..

laptop in bin by itself

camcoder in bin by itself - with tape in it, ready to be turned on (or I may just turn it on as I put it in)

in december if I have a coat, it would go in a bin also..

My wife will be with me, sine I'll have all this stuff should she go after me to kinda keep an eye, or before me to see stuff coming out other side?

shoes go on the belt by themselves, not in a bin. Laptop doesn't need to be on nor should you turn on the camcorder. If they want it turned on, they will ask you to do it. As others have said, backpack not in a bin either. Coat, keys, coins, etc. can be in a bin together.

Allow tons of time when leaving Orlando - they have the slowest security I have ever encountered! It doesn't look bad when you get there because they have lots of TSA staff checking boarding passes but then they funnel you into fewer lanes to get through security. When we came back yesterday, at least 5 of the 15 lanes were closed down but they told us "we're fully staffed, we just need fewer travelers".

It isn't a hard process; just allow time and you will be fine.

 

[SharonLowe]

We usually fly with a plethora of electronics - cell phone, PSP, camcorder, DSLR camera, P&S camera, iPod and all the cords, tapes, batteries etc. We purchased a Lowepro Micro Trekker which holds our camcorder, cameras, lenses, tapes, cords and batteries. Our PSP, cell phone and ipod are all in another carry-on in their own cases. With regard to security, we've never had any problems, or were asked to remove or turn on any electronics up until this past trip in October when Bonny was randomly selected for additional screening here in Edmonton. Only then did she have to open our Trekker (not turn anything on) and turn on our PSP. We've never had any problems flying out of Orlando.

Canadian rules are a bit different from those in the US. The camcorder rule here is pretty recent. Most of the time my camera (and all our electronics) pas through US security fine; other times my camera gets sniffed and occasionally it gets the full treatment - I think that happens when the person has camera envy

 

[rtphokie]

OK, what do I need to have out / on / etc when I fly. I have a backpack style bag that is actually within carry on limits that holds bascially everything I need. It'll have my laptop, digital rebel, lenses, camcorder, chargers, batteries, cards, mini dv tapes etc.. you get the point. What should I expect as far as going thru security. I've actually considered just packing everything up in a good box, with packaging, and shipping the whole backpack ahead of me. Of course I really dont want to do that, but.. I'm just not a seasoned traveller. I posted this here as opposed to the transportation forum as I figure folks here would know a little better

My latest experience a couple of weeks ago was:

shoes: off, on the belt (not in a bin)

laptop: in a bin, never asked to turn on

DSLR: in a small lowepro backpack with lenses, extra CF cards, small video camera, etc. Never asked to turn it on.

small Video Camera: see DSLR


I put the lowepro backpack in a small carryon bag so that I can carry a magazine or newspaper to read on the plane as well. I've never get a second look from security.

The only time I've ever had to turn a laptop or camera on was coming back into the US from Canada.

 

[JR6ooo4]

My first time traveling with a laptop, the ytold me take it out of the bag. So I did. I placed the bag in the plastic bin and put the laptop on top.

Boy did they get angry with me!!!! they wanted it in a seperate bin from everything else. I said "sorry, I just did exactly what I was told".

Mikeeee

 

[Wishes2you]

I flew to Disney last year at this time. I was all worried about my camera and lenses and what we could take through Security check point in carry on. I read the TSA website. It was much easier than I had expected. They told us exactly what to do. The airport we flew out of down and the Orlando airport made us use bins for everything. Even our shoes went in a bin. Like above poster said it depends on the airport but they will tell you. I left my camera and lenses right in my carry on. Coming home DD had to open her carry on in orlando because they weren't sure of kodak easy share docking unit. The first inspector didn't know what it was and he called over another inspector and he said he thought it was that but wanted to see it to make sure. We opened bag and showed him and off we went with no trouble.
It was chilly but we didn't bring our coats we left them in our truck. I didn't want to deal with them in the airport. We each wore a heavy sweatshirt. After all we wouldn't need our coats down there.