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Author Topic: Digital Equipment and Airport Security?  (Read 9752 times)

Goldilocks

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« on: January 02, 2007, 12:39:27 pm »

This weekend Jan. 7th is my first time traveling with a laptop and digital camera. I will be flying domestic in the USA. Is there any standard screening procedure with carry-on that will ruin data, laptop, drives, camera etc? I travel by wheelchair at the airport, so I and my belongings may be subject to the manual wand, walk-through and/or conveyor belt x-ray. Are all these methods safe for equipment?

Also, I will be visiting a friend for 2 months that does not have an outgoing line phone, no computer (at least nothing that is hooked up and working), no internet service at her house, and of course no knowledge of digital photography. And I'll be dependent on her for car rides, so I don't want to leave anything home, that I'll regret. (I'll be on my own with my limited computer skills.)  I'm planning on bringing my laptop, camera, battery charger, pwer supply for camera and laptop,  memory for camera, some blank cd's and DVD's and a flash drive. Does anyone think that I'm forgetting anything important?

It's always a pleasure to hear from those who've been there, done that or just happen to know.
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Jonathan Wienke

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2007, 01:02:15 pm »

The hand wand metal detector may damage disk drives, but other than that you have nothing to worry about. Your biggest challenge is fitting your camera gear into a carryon so you don't have to check it. The odds are good it will disappear if you do, at least cameras, lenses, and other high-value accessories.
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Goldilocks

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2007, 10:21:58 pm »

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The hand wand metal detector may damage disk drives, but other than that you have nothing to worry about. Your biggest challenge is fitting your camera gear into a carryon so you don't have to check it. The odds are good it will disappear if you do, at least cameras, lenses, and other high-value accessories.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=93300\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Thanks. I'll make sure any clothing holding digital stuff goes thru the carry-on x-ray machine.
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2007, 11:30:32 pm »

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Thanks. I'll make sure any clothing holding digital stuff goes thru the carry-on x-ray machine.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=93391\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
That's one place one of those multi-pocketed photographer's vests comes in handy. Just stuff all the good stuff (plus metal things from pockets, like keys, coins, etc.) into pockets of the vest and send the whole vest through the X-ray machine.
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-Eric Myrvaagnes (visit my website: http://myrvaagnes.com)

Paul Sumi

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2007, 11:37:43 pm »

I've had no problems carrying on a Lowepro Mini-Trekker with camera gear and a laptop in a separate nylon briefcase.   Be sure to contact your carrier for their latest rules regarding number, weight and size of carry-on items, however.  Also check the TSA for their latest regulations.

You will be required to remove your laptop from its case and your camera gear may be hand-inspected.  Usually the latter is just a quick swab for suspect trace chemicals.  But in smaller airports (Oakland, CA and Kansas City come to mind), your gear may be inspected more closely.  My gear has always been handled with care in these instances.

Good luck!

Paul
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Goldilocks

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2007, 12:08:43 am »

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I've had no problems carrying on a Lowepro Mini-Trekker with camera gear and a laptop in a separate nylon briefcase.   Be sure to contact your carrier for their latest rules regarding number, weight and size of carry-on items, however.  Also check the TSA for their latest regulations.

You will be required to remove your laptop from its case and your camera gear may be hand-inspected.  Usually the latter is just a quick swab for suspect trace chemicals.  But in smaller airports (Oakland, CA and Kansas City come to mind), your gear may be inspected more closely.  My gear has always been handled with care in these instances.

Good luck!

Paul
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=93402\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


What who and where is TSA?
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Paul Sumi

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2007, 12:30:13 am »

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What who and where is TSA?
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration:

[a href=\"http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm]http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/pro...ited-items.shtm[/url]

Paul
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NBP

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2007, 02:43:18 am »

I'm just in the process of buying a new bag for carry on.
The maximum dimensions for carry at present are 55x40x20cm.
Both manufactures that I'm looking at - Peli & LowePro - both do bags/cases that comform to these dimensions.
B&H's website as ever, has good detailed info in the specs section of the items, including if it meets FAA carry on rules.
As others have said though, it's always prudent to double check your carriers info.
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francois

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2007, 05:10:41 am »

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I'm just in the process of buying a new bag for carry on.
The maximum dimensions for carry at present are 55x40x20cm.
Both manufactures that I'm looking at - Peli & LowePro - both do bags/cases that comform to these dimensions.
B&H's website as ever, has good detailed info in the specs section of the items, including if it meets FAA carry on rules.
As others have said though, it's always prudent to double check your carriers info.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=94901\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
On top of dimension limits, there's also weight limits. They tend to enforce them more "actively", at least for international travel.

 
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Francois

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2007, 06:55:00 am »

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On top of dimension limits, there's also weight limits. They tend to enforce them more "actively", at least for international travel.

 
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=94911\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Yes, you're right.
It seems to be 8kg for most at the moment, although easyjet, a UK low cost who I use frequently, has no weight restrictions within reason for carry on.

I've never had any probs with my RZ kit.
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francois

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2007, 07:24:03 am »

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Yes, you're right.
It seems to be 8kg for most at the moment, although easyjet, a UK low cost who I use frequently, has no weight restrictions within reason for carry on.

I've never had any probs with my RZ kit.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=95246\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Last time I took EasyJet (in Geneva), my checked suitcase was declared "too heavy" and I had to pay an overcharge of $120. When we arrived in Edinburgh, my suitcase was weighted at 2kg below the limit. Strange? I was in a hurry and didn't bother... My carry-on bag was heavier than my suitcase and, as you said, they only enforced maximum size limits.
« Last Edit: January 12, 2007, 07:25:45 am by francois »
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Francois

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2007, 07:36:28 am »

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Last time I took EasyJet (in Geneva), my checked suitcase was declared "too heavy" and I had to pay an overcharge of $120. When we arrived in Edinburgh, my suitcase was weighted at 2kg below the limit. Strange? I was in a hurry and didn't bother... My carry-on bag was heavier than my suitcase and, as you said, they only enforced maximum size limits.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=95248\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

$120!! Christ.

I must say, I've found it's quite dependent on the [easyjet] check in staff and whether or not they're having a good/bad day.

I just smile and I'm polite as can be & use a backpack bag and sling it casually over one shoulder and try to look as if it's not bending me over backwards!

Swiss on the otherhand, always check


(I'm in CH too, btw)
« Last Edit: January 12, 2007, 07:37:23 am by NBP »
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francois

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Digital Equipment and Airport Security?
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2007, 08:27:59 am »

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$120!! Christ.

I must say, I've found it's quite dependent on the [easyjet] check in staff and whether or not they're having a good/bad day.

I just smile and I'm polite as can be & use a backpack bag and sling it casually over one shoulder and try to look as if it's not bending me over backwards!

Swiss on the otherhand, always check
(I'm in CH too, btw)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=95249\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
My theory is that the lady was tired and rested a bit too much on my suitcase... Other than that, I have nothing to complain about Easyjet and the carry-on rules (no weight limits within reason) is something I appreciate.
 
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Francois
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