Airport security

designdog

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Anyone have experiences taking an Exx through the newly heightened security at our airports?

I have a choice between the Oly or a Nikon 990...

Thanks,

-David
 
Anyone have experiences taking an Exx through the newly heightened
security at our airports?
Define "our".

Anyway.. I've never had any problems taking a digicam (C2020 and
E-10) through any airport security. Including countries like Syria, the
US, Singapore, China, Tibet and Cambodia

Be sure to check in your loose batteries with your regular (not hand-)
luggage! They might confiscate them since loose batteries are prohibited
in the cabin. They did that with my NiMHs in New Delhi airport. Never
saw them back.

HTH

Bram

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.pbase.com/brambos
 
Thanks - "our" is the USA. Great tip on the batrteries! I will pack them and the recharger in my checked baggage...

-David
Anyone have experiences taking an Exx through the newly heightened
security at our airports?
Define "our".

Anyway.. I've never had any problems taking a digicam (C2020 and
E-10) through any airport security. Including countries like Syria,
the
US, Singapore, China, Tibet and Cambodia

Be sure to check in your loose batteries with your regular (not hand-)
luggage! They might confiscate them since loose batteries are
prohibited
in the cabin. They did that with my NiMHs in New Delhi airport. Never
saw them back.

HTH

Bram

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.pbase.com/brambos
 
So why did you use "our", implying this is a USA based internet site. Do you realize it's based in Britain.

I've flown at least 8 time this year both USA and Asia and the security personnel havent even looked at my E-20 in it's case.

VJS
-David
Anyone have experiences taking an Exx through the newly heightened
security at our airports?
Define "our".

Anyway.. I've never had any problems taking a digicam (C2020 and
E-10) through any airport security. Including countries like Syria,
the
US, Singapore, China, Tibet and Cambodia

Be sure to check in your loose batteries with your regular (not hand-)
luggage! They might confiscate them since loose batteries are
prohibited
in the cabin. They did that with my NiMHs in New Delhi airport. Never
saw them back.

HTH

Bram

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.pbase.com/brambos
 
FWIW I've never had any problem carrying "loose" batteries between the US and UK. I usually save the small boxes 4-pk Alkalines come in and pack my NiMhs in them, maybe that made a difference.
 
While I understand your frustration I would remind you that Phil uses targeted ad's so those of us in the States see ad's from CompUSA, CNet, etc, while I'm sure others see ad's pertinent to the market they are in. I believe Phil started a thread on this some time ago in one of the other forums.

In any case I'm sure no harm was meant, nor do I believe any should have been taken. "Our" airports are all of the airports we all may travel through to our destinations, regardless of their location.

Personally I live in the US (though I was born in Germany and have a British Mum, and I grew up in my early years just outside London). I travel to various international locations relatively frequently for the average person and haven't had any problem other than more frequent searches of my bags. A very small price to pay IMO.

ksj
I've flown at least 8 time this year both USA and Asia and the
security personnel havent even looked at my E-20 in it's case.

VJS
-David
Anyone have experiences taking an Exx through the newly heightened
security at our airports?
Define "our".

Anyway.. I've never had any problems taking a digicam (C2020 and
E-10) through any airport security. Including countries like Syria,
the
US, Singapore, China, Tibet and Cambodia

Be sure to check in your loose batteries with your regular (not hand-)
luggage! They might confiscate them since loose batteries are
prohibited
in the cabin. They did that with my NiMHs in New Delhi airport. Never
saw them back.

HTH

Bram

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.pbase.com/brambos
 
In any case I'm sure no harm was meant, nor do I believe any should
have been taken. "Our" airports are all of the airports we all may
travel through to our destinations, regardless of their location.

Personally I live in the US (though I was born in Germany and have
a British Mum, and I grew up in my early years just outside
London). I travel to various international locations relatively
frequently for the average person and haven't had any problem other
than more frequent searches of my bags. A very small price to pay
IMO.

ksj
I've flown at least 8 time this year both USA and Asia and the
security personnel havent even looked at my E-20 in it's case.

VJS
-David
Anyone have experiences taking an Exx through the newly heightened
security at our airports?
Define "our".

Anyway.. I've never had any problems taking a digicam (C2020 and
E-10) through any airport security. Including countries like Syria,
the
US, Singapore, China, Tibet and Cambodia

Be sure to check in your loose batteries with your regular (not hand-)
luggage! They might confiscate them since loose batteries are
prohibited
in the cabin. They did that with my NiMHs in New Delhi airport. Never
saw them back.

HTH

Bram

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.pbase.com/brambos
I live in the USA and this past summer while traveling to Alaska I passed thru Toronto security with my cameras in my carryon and had to demonstrate to the woman at the gate that in fact they were cameras. I had to demonstrate they were cameras by turning them on and demonstrating they in fact took pictures. I did this by showing her the lcd monitor before she was satisfied. She wanted me to take a picture so she could hear the shutter release. When she couldn't hear it she became very suspicious. I finally talked her into believing me when I showed her the monitor. It took me 10 minutes to get thru the gate with a lot of grumbling from other passengers. I learned my lesson and on my return I checked my cameras with my luggage with no problems.
Just my experience JimP
 
Sorry to have offended anyone with the "our" airports comment. I really didn't have any locale in mind. While I live in the USA, I had been going to Europe on a monthly basis, though not taking a camera.

I retired August 2001, just before 9/11 and have not been on an airplane since. Thus my question.

I regard "our" airports as the airports that "I" and "you" travel to. Anywhere.

BTW, when I refer to "Europe" as above, I include the UK although I know many on both sides of the Channel do not do so...

-David
 
Sorry to have offended anyone with the "our" airports comment
No offense taken ofcourse.. I was just wondering if the question was
aimed at some people in particular.
I retired August 2001, just before 9/11 and have not been on an
airplane since. Thus my question.
I have noticed the increase in security all over the world. Since I travel
all over the globe a lot I have seen many airport checks after 9/11 but
none was particularly suspicious of digital equipment. And this included
a score of non-western countries like Tibet, Syria and China. The most
thourough checks were in Singapore, BTW.
BTW, when I refer to "Europe" as above, I include the UK although I
know many on both sides of the Channel do not do so...
Them crazy Brits :-)

Bram

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.pbase.com/brambos
 
I've had no problems with the E-10 or spare NiMH's so far. Have others had any batteries confiscated?

I am planning several trips and would prefer to avoid checking through any bags. I would be quite upset if someone took my batteries however.
 
It took me 10 minutes to get thru the gate with a lot of grumbling from other > passengers. I learned my lesson and on my return I checked my cameras > with my luggage with no problems.
I would sooner walk than check my cameras with luggage (digicam especially) . Never, never, never.

The comment elsewhere about battery confiscation is worth noting. Hasn't happened to me (yet) but would be disconcerting to arrive at my destination with no rechargeables. Last month my wife and I were both subject to the random "extra special" security check when returning (eastbound) from Oakland, CA airport. Fairly intense scrutiny of my Oly E-10 gear, including inspector fruitlessly turning and turning the lens cap until I said, "Wait, don't do that." After which I removed the cap for her. In the course of having a full body scan (mine, not camera's), emptying pockets, removing shoes (then rushing to get into the plane before all overhead space was filled) I managed to leave behind a pocket comb, Lifesavers and about 50 cents in change. Small price to pay--until it becomes necssary to check my camera! :-)

Phil
 
David,

Back in June 2002 I had a "bad" experience with airport security in Mexico:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=2905658

Since then, I've only flown with my camera once and I checked the batteries, but not the camera. I've never checked my camera in 30+ years of photography and I hope I never have to. My advice: check your batteries, but not your camera.
--
Thanks.

Cleave
 
had no problems with the E-10 or spare NiMH's so far. Have
others had any batteries confiscated?
Well.. it happened to me only once.. And I've heard from only
one other occurrence of this happening. But check the back of
your ticket: it will state explicitly that you aren't allowed to carry
batteries in your handbaggage. Better safe than sorry I'd say.

cheers,

Bram

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.pbase.com/brambos
 
It's been a minor problem, but the airport security people keep thinking that my E-20 is some kind of a bomb. I have it in a camera bag along with the wide angle lens, FL-40 flash, batteries, a polarizing filter, an extra Compact Flash card, and the remote control (maybe they think that's a detonator).

After looking at it on the XRay, they take it and rub the surface with something (I think this means they're looking for explosives) and then hand it back to me. They don't open the bag and reject my offer to do so.

This happens almost every time I fly with it, most recently in Boston and Miami.

I'm thinking of moving the accessories to a different bag to see if that diverts their suspicions. I am very curious about what arouses their suspicions.

I had not heard about batteries being a problem. In fact, the last time I flew I thought that a set (I carry two extra sets of four) had fallen out of the bag. I showed the other set to the security people and asked if they had noticed a set like that. They were very helpful, looked around - then I discovered them in a crevice in the bag. Nobody complained about my haiving batteries in my carry on luggage.

Michael Bate
 
Anyone have experiences taking an Exx through the newly heightened
security at our airports?
Yes. In San Jose, CA. they searched my E-10 bag but left my 35mm gear (LowePro MiniTrekker stuffed full of Olympus OM gear) alone. On the return trip they searched my OM gear and left the E-10 bag alone at Dulles. The E-10 was not an issue--they just wanted to see what was in the bag (LowePro Orion AW).

They were very friendly and courteous. I shipped film back and forth via FedEx so I wouldn't have to worry about arguing for a hand check on my film.

I had several memory cards full on the return trip (already backed up on CD for insurance) that also made it through just fine (as I would expect them to).

Mike Veglia
http://www.motorsportvisions.com
 
I flew with a laptop once and after they rubbed the surface and tested I asked about it. They said they have to do that with all electronics. I have visions of Lockerbey Scottland (however you spell it) where the bomb was in a radio.

Never had a problem with E-10 traveling or with batteries. On one trip they emptied all of my carry bags 5 different times, yet they didn't open the camera bag (the camera bag was inside a larger bag) once. Funny that in all of those places they were worried about my books and spare underware but not my camera.
It's been a minor problem, but the airport security people keep
thinking that my E-20 is some kind of a bomb. I have it in a
camera bag along with the wide angle lens, FL-40 flash, batteries,
a polarizing filter, an extra Compact Flash card, and the remote
control (maybe they think that's a detonator).

After looking at it on the XRay, they take it and rub the surface
with something (I think this means they're looking for explosives)
and then hand it back to me. They don't open the bag and reject my
offer to do so.

This happens almost every time I fly with it, most recently in
Boston and Miami.

I'm thinking of moving the accessories to a different bag to see if
that diverts their suspicions. I am very curious about what
arouses their suspicions.

I had not heard about batteries being a problem. In fact, the last
time I flew I thought that a set (I carry two extra sets of four)
had fallen out of the bag. I showed the other set to the security
people and asked if they had noticed a set like that. They were
very helpful, looked around - then I discovered them in a crevice
in the bag. Nobody complained about my haiving batteries in my
carry on luggage.

Michael Bate
 
Cleave,

Thanks for the heads-up on Mexican security. I'm doing a photo and video trip to Mexico City for a client next month and just bought a carry-on big enough for my E-20, Sony VX-2000 and laptop. In the US I've never had any interest in the cameras when going through security, but they always x-ray the Apple Titanium separately.

Clark
David,

Back in June 2002 I had a "bad" experience with airport security in
Mexico:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=2905658

Since then, I've only flown with my camera once and I checked the
batteries, but not the camera. I've never checked my camera in 30+
years of photography and I hope I never have to. My advice: check
your batteries, but not your camera.
--
Thanks.

Cleave
 

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