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Bulb blower and airports

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laobagua

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Hi all,

So I just got myself a bulb blower to more easily deal with dust. I got one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Giottos-AA1920-Rocket-Blaster-Small/dp/B000L9OIQ2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1292689416&sr=8-2

Stupid me, why did I get something that looks like that? (And why do they make these things anyway?)

My question is ... I'm going on an international trip soon ... has anyone had problems with these things in airports? It looks far too much like something that could be classified a "suspicious object".
 
Depends on how vigilant the screeners are. 5 years ago, I flew from Phoenix to Baltimore to Albany, NY and did not realize I had 2 utility knives in my carry on until my return to Phoenix. Yikes!!!

I would leave it home or paint it pink and explain that its a..well, you know. ;)
 
I rather think this question is tongue in cheek. In case someone's taking it seriously:

For goodness sake, it's less threatening in appearance than a child's toy.

I've packed mine in my checked luggage several times without incident.
 
It's made of rubber and probably won't show up on the xrays. If it was metal then a red flag would go up.
 
I cut the fins off because it was just too bulky with them on. I have it in my camera bag numerous times and never had an issue. Besides. I don't think it will take too much effort for security to figure out what it is if they ask you about it.

--
When things go too smoothly it's life's way of throwing you off balance.
 
Greetings,

You should have no problem with the Rocket Blower unless you jokingly say to the TSA folks that it's a hand grenade or other explosive device. When I travel, I carry one with me as well.

But, last year I was travelling by air from San Francisco to visit a friend in Vancouver, Canada, and forgot that I had a gift wraped silicone battery operated vibrator in my carry on camera bag. As soon as my bag went through x-ray machine, the TSA lady asked me to show her what was in the wrapped package inside my camera bag. Maybe she thought it was some kind of explosive or a triggering device. I had to upwrap the package, and show her that it was a vibrator. However, she did make me remove the batteries.

I made my connection without further problem.

Good luck.

--
Like others here, I suffer from GAS.
Gear Acquisition Syndrome.
 
Everything seems to be a suspicious object to airport "security" except for the things that are really dangerous. They'd probably find 25 knitting needles before they found the cheap bomb in a box marked "Danger: Unstable Explosives". If it doesn't go Beep, it doesn't attract attention. Just put the stupid thing in your bag and it probably won't even show up on the scanner.

--
http://www.alexanderrogge.net/arshutterbug
 
I've taken my Rocket Blower through security many, many times in carry-on luggage without a peep. Being plastic and rubber it is completely transparent to anything the TSA screeners would see on their monitors.
 
Sailor Blue said:
I'm always amazed that people buy these things. A red rubber ear syringe from the drug store will work just as well, and is cheaper.
Click to expand...
No - not really. A rocket blower has a couple of valves in it to ensure fresh air is drawn in at the back for each puff.

Without this feature, your first puff dislodges the dust particles and then they get sucked into the blower. On the second puff you just blow all the dust back into your camera. Not helpful.

Don't skimp on camera gear! Get a rocket blower or similar design for best results.
 
fishwich said:
Depends on how vigilant the screeners are. 5 years ago, I flew from Phoenix to Baltimore to Albany, NY and did not realize I had 2 utility knives in my carry on until my return to Phoenix. Yikes!!!

I would leave it home or paint it pink and explain that its a..well, you know. ;)
Click to expand...
We (mom, dad, and son) went to Vegas one year. I had my son grab his Sail duffle for his clothes and without anyone thinking about along with that his gerber multi-tool. It was in an outside net pocket and we didn't spot it until we landed back home. We'd be better off with dogs that snarled on queue and just detain who ever freaks out as they go by.

The TSA was good with 3oz of canned air, I think a rubber rocket will do fine just don't hide it. And don't jump if a dog snifs you.
--
Phil Agur

7D - 5DMKII - Dual Body Bag - Go 'L' and don't look back!

Got 7D? See http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=3167
 
not sure would there be any problem with it.. i have the same one its a great tool from a good brand..i had it on international flights..never had any problem..i had it in my camera bag which was searched and no one asked any question regarding this blower
 
...no matter how bad security is they're not that bad. I never had a problem with it in airports. If you are really worried about it, put it in your hand luggage with your camera and if anyone asks, you can show what it is and how it works.

The only reason I was pulled on one side in airports a couple of times, was to do a "random" drug/explosives test because my camera showed on the x-ray machine.

Imagine my surprise when one time the test indicated possitive. I had been visiting a factory in Germany and the camera got some paint particles on it. Had a lot of explaining to do lol.
-
Christakis
http://blog.christakisphoto.com
(Updated every Monday and Friday)
 
Len_Gee said:
Greetings,

You should have no problem with the Rocket Blower unless you jokingly say to the TSA folks that it's a hand grenade or other explosive device. When I travel, I carry one with me as well.

But, last year I was travelling by air from San Francisco to visit a friend in Vancouver, Canada, and forgot that I had a gift wraped silicone battery operated vibrator in my carry on camera bag. As soon as my bag went through x-ray machine, the TSA lady asked me to show her what was in the wrapped package inside my camera bag. Maybe she thought it was some kind of explosive or a triggering device. I had to upwrap the package, and show her that it was a vibrator. However, she did make me remove the batteries.

I made my connection without further problem.

Good luck.

--
Like others here, I suffer from GAS.
Gear Acquisition Syndrome.
Click to expand...
Good point about about saying anything stupid even though the intent was only humour. Common knowledge but it is amazing how many people still live under rocks. I still see people whining at airports because they exceeded their limit of liquids and have to throw things out. It is getting close to a decade since 9/11.

--
When things go too smoothly it's life's way of throwing you off balance.
 
Christakis said:
...no matter how bad security is they're not that bad. I never had a problem with it in airports. If you are really worried about it, put it in your hand luggage with your camera and if anyone asks, you can show what it is and how it works.

The only reason I was pulled on one side in airports a couple of times, was to do a "random" drug/explosives test because my camera showed on the x-ray machine.

Imagine my surprise when one time the test indicated possitive. I had been visiting a factory in Germany and the camera got some paint particles on it. Had a lot of explaining to do lol.
-
Christakis
http://blog.christakisphoto.com
(Updated every Monday and Friday)
Click to expand...
Now this reminded me of an event. I was at my cottage one summer and my our friends came up to visit with their kids. We were shooting off Estes model rockets for the kids and you have to handle new and spent engines which smell like gun power after a burn. I was taking pictures and handling my camera bag. A few weeks later we were flying. The security person asked if it was OK to swab my gear. My heart almost stopped as I remembered the rockets. I figured I was done right there but they did not detect anything. I'll never do that again.

--
When things go too smoothly it's life's way of throwing you off balance.
 
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