In the last two years I have taken over 10 overseas trips to
destinations including Singapore and Belgium and Kosovo and Italy and
Bulgaria and England and Australia and Mexico and St. Martin and
Lithuania and Sweden.
Accumulated rules for easing the passage through security:
1. Except in Germany, do not expect anybody to ask any questions about
your camera gear. In Germany, they like to handle fine equipment and
will use the excuse of "looking through the lens" just so they can
fondle the gear.
2. Put all, repeat all, batteries, chargers, adapters, and cables for
your camera, computer, iPod, mobile phone, etc. in your carry-on bags.
And all of the electronic gear as well. (I use about half of the top
half of my LowePro bag for this purpose.) If they are in your checked
luggage, your luggage will get opened for inspection. If you pack like
me (very tight, very carefully arranged to maximize usage of all
space), then it is unlikely that they can satisfactorily repack your
checked luggage after inspection.
2a. Lock your checked luggage with one of the "TSA approved" locks; the
lock will help to hold the zippers closed despite the bulges caused by
careless repacking after inspection.
3. Do not even think about traveling with a tripod. You usually cannot
carry it on, and it will cause your checked bags to be opened for
inspection.
It has been at least a year since the last time anyone did more than
recycle my camera gear through the x-ray for a second look.
Stan
On May 21, 2005, at 5:41 PM, Amita Guha wrote:
I haven't flown since before 9/11. I'm leaving for London out of JFK on
Tuesday. Can I expect the security folks to hand-examine my lenses and
make
me prove that my camera is a camera? I just want to know what to
expect.
Thanks,
Amita
