TSA rules for DSLR cameras & netbooks.

[heidia]

I haven't flown in the US in a few years, have the rules changed for digital cameras? Specifically for DSLRs? Last time I flew, it had to be screened separately.

Also, I have small netbook, does that need to be screened separately?

TIA.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I flew with my DSLR last June, I had no problems going through security with my camera safetly packed in our carry on. I think laptops, notebook computers, etc need to be opened and put in a bin separately to go through security.

 

[prncess674]

You are not required to remove the camera, but if your camera is surrounded by a lot of other "techie" stuff then the screener may not be able to figure out what it is and you then may have your bag hand searched. When carrying any heavy electronic item, i keep it in a protective sleeve and just place in a bin by itself so I avoid the secondary.

I frequently travel with carry on only and have a TSA approved corkscrew. They would spot it frequently and then would want to fondle all my belongings. Now I keep it in the outside pocket of my carry on and just throw it naked in the bin with my shoes so they won't go pawing thru my clothing.

 

[n2mm]

I travel with my netbook always and it is treated the same as any laptop. It must be out of it's case and put in its own private bin for security.

 

[eliza61]

I travel with my laptop weekly, not a problem what soever. I simply take it out of my bag, put it in a bin and that's it.

 

[CarolMN]

I travel with my netbook always and it is treated the same as any laptop. It must me out of it's case and put in its own private bin for security.

Ditto.

 

[ahmo]

Is an iPad treated the same as a laptop/netbook where you have to take it out and put it in a bin?

Edit: Never mind. I found my answer.
Electronic items smaller than the standard sized laptop should not need to be removed from your bag or their cases.
http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/04/traveling-with-e-readers-netbooks-and.html

 

[Tara]

Is an iPad treated the same as a laptop/netbook where you have to take it out and put it in a bin?

Edit: Never mind. I found my answer.
Electronic items smaller than the standard sized laptop should not need to be removed from your bag or their cases.
http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/04/traveling-with-e-readers-netbooks-and.html

This actually includes netbooks, to answer part of the OP's question.

 

[JDietz40]

The netbook will have to be in a seperate bin. Look on line for a TSA Checkpoint compliant sleeve. I bought one at Best Buy.com (not available in store) I think it cost around $ 25.00 but I no longer have to remove the netbook from the sleeve going through security. It makes things a little easier and I worry less about damaging it.
Although I have seen disclaimers that say you may still be asked to remove the netbook from the sleeve, I have flown about a dozen times and never had too.




John

 

[Tara]

The netbook will have to be in a seperate bin. Look on line for a TSA Checkpoint compliant sleeve. I bought one at Best Buy.com (not available in store) I think it cost around $ 25.00 but I no longer have to remove the netbook from the sleeve going through security. It makes things a little easier and I worry less about damaging it.
Although I have seen disclaimers that say you may still be asked to remove the netbook from the sleeve, I have flown about a dozen times and never had too.




John

Netbooks do not have to be removed from a bag, nor do they need to be in a checkpoint-friendly bag. You may be asked to remove a netbook if it's blocking view of something else but TSA regulations stipulate that they can remain in. I travel with netbook users a lot and they are never asked to remove them.

 

[n2mm]

Netbooks do not have to be removed from a bag, nor do they need to be in a checkpoint-friendly bag. You may be asked to remove a netbook if it's blocking view of something else but TSA regulations stipulate that they can remain in. I travel with netbook users a lot and they are never asked to remove them.

I guess you don't fly out of Dulles airport then. Because we tried not removing it from the sleeve or bag and have always been stopped and made to treat it exactly like a laptop. Now we just do it to keep things moving. Maybe we'll try just putting the netbook in a bin and leave it inside it's sleeve next month to see what they say. So far, we've had to remove it from it's bag or sleeve every time. BTW -- the last time we were told to remove it from it's sleeve was on Oct. 31st, just a little of a month ago. We always take it out of my backpack and put it by itself...dunno!

 

[goofy4tink]

Netbooks do not have to be removed from a bag, nor do they need to be in a checkpoint-friendly bag. You may be asked to remove a netbook if it's blocking view of something else but TSA regulations stipulate that they can remain in. I travel with netbook users a lot and they are never asked to remove them.

I had to put my notebook in a bin by itself in Boston yesterday. I forgot and just took it out and put it in a bin with my jacket...TSA grabbed it out and told me (very nicely) that it had to go in a bin by itself.

I have to say that I had the nicest, friendliest TSA people yesterday, flying out of Boston. They were just terrific...even when I kidded one about the rumor that the TSA people have no sense of humor. He thought that was pretty funny.

 

[Tara]

I had to put my notebook in a bin by itself in Boston yesterday. I forgot and just took it out and put it in a bin with my jacket...TSA grabbed it out and told me (very nicely) that it had to go in a bin by itself.

Notebook or netbook?

 

[Tara]

I guess you don't fly out of Dulles airport then. Because we tried not removing it from the sleeve or bag and have always been stopped and made to treat it exactly like a laptop. Now we just do it to keep things moving. Maybe we'll try just putting the netbook in a bin and leave it inside it's sleeve next month to see what they say. So far, we've had to remove it from it's bag or sleeve every time. BTW -- the last time we were told to remove it from it's sleeve was on Oct. 31st, just a little of a month ago. We always take it out of my backpack and put it by itself...dunno!

Maybe a poor training issue? I don't know - I can just speak to my experience, which jibes with the stated TSA regulations.

 

[n2mm]

Maybe a poor training issue? I don't know - I can just speak to my experience, which jibes with the stated TSA regulations.

just wanted to update that I took your advice this weekend when I flew out of Dulles (Sunday 1/16/11). I left my netbook in my backpack. The only thing in my backpack and I got the dreaded "who's backpack is this?" had to take the netbook OUT of the backpack and put in it's own bid to go through xray a second time by itself. I did look at the regs and it does say netbooks do not have to go through separate. Just wanted you to know I tried it out of Dullles and nope, they still treat it the same as a laptop. I will continue to take it out as I've done in th past.

 

[FireDancer]

Netbooks do not have to be removed from a bag, nor do they need to be in a checkpoint-friendly bag. You may be asked to remove a netbook if it's blocking view of something else but TSA regulations stipulate that they can remain in. I travel with netbook users a lot and they are never asked to remove them.

The TSA is very inconsistent with dealing with tablets/netbooks. While they shouldn't have to be removed many agents don't follow their own guidelines and will ask you to remove them. I'd be prepared just in case.

 

[CPT Tripss]

The TSA is very inconsistent with dealing with tablets/netbooks. While they shouldn't have to be removed many agents don't follow their own guidelines and will ask you to remove them. I'd be prepared just in case.

You got that right! It applies to just about every possible issue at the checkpoints.

 

[Meeky Mouse]

just wanted to update that I took your advice this weekend when I flew out of Dulles (Sunday 1/16/11). I left my netbook in my backpack. The only thing in my backpack and I got the dreaded "who's backpack is this?" had to take the netbook OUT of the backpack and put in it's own bid to go through xray a second time by itself. I did look at the regs and it does say netbooks do not have to go through separate. Just wanted you to know I tried it out of Dullles and nope, they still treat it the same as a laptop. I will continue to take it out as I've done in th past.

I had the exact same experience at Orlando Airport a few months back, right down to the dreaded "who's bag is this?". I was really annoyed because I originally had the netbook out, then spotted a sign announcing that netbooks, Kindles, and other small electronic devices can remain in your bag - so I put it back in. Since then I put my netbook in a separate bin no matter what the signs say.