First Flight to the US since 9/11

digitalbeginner

I'm flying from Dublin into a small airport in Kansas via Chicago this summer. I've done this before, but not since the increased security after 9/11.

I have a Lowepro CompuRover AW which conforms to Ryanairs carry-on dimensions. This will take my 17in Apple MacBook Pro, D200 Body, 18-200 VR and 14mm Prime along with the usual assortment of cables, chargers and a couple of batteries. This is roughly the gear I brought to Italy last August and had no problems.

Does anyone think I'll have difficulties with US airport security? It would break my heart to have to leave anything at any of the airports I'll be flying through,

Dave

Ruu_Old

Not much I can think of except there is an issue with lithium batteries.

As of January 1, 2008, travelers may no longer pack spare lithium batteries of any kind in checked baggage. Passengers wishing to carry spare lithium batteries for devices such as laptops, cell phones and cameras are now required to pack them in their carry-on baggage with the terminals covered/insulated. Travelers may check bags that contain batteries, as long as they are installed in electronic devices.

Please see the following web site for tips on traveling with spare batteries:
http://safetravel.dot.gov/tips.html*

iMax

I've travelled a lot in the US (once just 10 days after 9/11) All the time I've had a rucksack (just an ordinary one, not roughsack or designed for any purpose other than to carry "stuff"), every time it's been a mess of cameras lenses & cables.

Every time they scan the bag, get you to empty i tout, take it apart, put it back together again & take a couple of shots. No biggie at all. They may request you take the batteries out for the flight, that's about it.

whyulittle

iMax wrote: »

Every time they scan the bag, get you to empty i tout, take it apart, put it back together again & take a couple of shots. No biggie at all. They may request you take the batteries out for the flight, that's about it.

Your post count is 911, freaky!

Is that not the complete opposite of what Ruu quoted above?

liamtinney

I traveled to Hawaii with three US stop overs, I had a laptop, leads, 2x 580ex, 20 batteries, charger, 1D MK3, 5D, 70-200 2.8IS, 70-105L, 16-35L,2X extender, the weight was about 15KG I had no problems at all, was not even asked to open the bag, anybody that had a video camera had to remove it for screening but not still cameras.

Stephen

I travelled through JFK this time last year with a D50, charger, tripod and a couple of lenses, no problems except that they jump on you if you try to actually use it in the airport!

Paulw

I've travelled to the US and Canada (via the US) every year for the last 15 years. Never a single problem, including all my camera gear. Some extra checks, and twice since 9/11 I've had to open my bag, to be swabbed, but nothing more. With a laptop, the odd time they want you to power it on, but that has only happened me once. It's a random selection.

So, basically, aside from more security checks (shoes, belts, etc), your camera gear will be scanned like any hand luggage. Nothing to worry about at all.

xshayx

Flew out of O'Hare last August, camera gear & laptop, no problems at all - just the usual remove laptop from bag

digitalbeginner

This is like comfort food Thanks for putting my mind at rest guys,

Dave

Fajitas!

Heading to the 'States myself soon and Canada a good while after, so this is good.

Actually... I have a lot of flights this year :-/

Paulw

I'm heading to the US in March. Very much looking forward to it. I just have to work out how best to pack my camera gear. That's the hard part.

Fajitas!

What dates Paul? NY, yeah?

Paulw

I'm going to Utah, via NY. Planning to visit a number of the US National Parks, such as Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands and Arches. Stunning places for nature, wildlife and landscape photography.

Going from 1st March until 16th March.

Can't wait.

Fajitas!

Grand, I'm safe then

Paulw

Ok, just back from my holidays. I had no real hassles with security and my camera gear, aside from security in JFK where they wanted all items separated (bodies, lenses), rather than just scanning the whole bag.

I had my tripod in my check-in luggage, no problems.

All my lenses, and bodies were in my carry-on, as well as batteries and such. My chargers were checked in.

The equipment I brought - 1D MkIII, 40D, 50mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 2x extender, Speedlight 580EX, and a load of filters and bits.

So, for anyone travelling, it should be easy enough.

Laptops always have to be taken out of the bag and scanned separately.

man1

Paulw wrote: »

Ok, just back from my holidays. I had no real hassles with security and my camera gear, aside from security in JFK where they wanted all items separated (bodies, lenses), rather than just scanning the whole bag.

I had my tripod in my check-in luggage, no problems.

All my lenses, and bodies were in my carry-on, as well as batteries and such. My chargers were checked in.

The equipment I brought - 1D MkIII, 40D, 50mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 2x extender, Speedlight 580EX, and a load of filters and bits.

So, for anyone travelling, it should be easy enough.

Laptops always have to be taken out of the bag and scanned separately.

Welcome back Paul
Have you got your photos up anywhere yet?

Paulw

Only a few images processed so far, and on my FlickR.

I still have to make time to really go through them.

gandalf

Flew to Vegas with a stop over in Atlanta last November with a fully laden Lowepro Computertrakker AW and had no issues, apart from being asked to open it in Dublin Airport.

You'll be fine. Interesting bit about the batteries, is that the same for Canada as I am hoping to head there in August.

Paulw

gandalf wrote: »

You'll be fine. Interesting bit about the batteries, is that the same for Canada as I am hoping to head there in August.

As far as I'm aware, the battery issue is worldwide, and not specific to airlines. Better safe than sorry, so, it's easier to just put any batteries in your carry-on, rather than take a risk with your checked-in luggage.

Duchovny

Hi

I travel to the US 2 years ago and i have the same bag as you do, and i didnt have any problem, took my camera lens, my laptop and 3 batterys and there was no problem at all

Enjoy your trip...

gandalf

Paulw wrote: »

As far as I'm aware, the battery issue is worldwide, and not specific to airlines. Better safe than sorry, so, it's easier to just put any batteries in your carry-on, rather than take a risk with your checked-in luggage.

Interesting was in South Africa in Feb and yes I had the batteries in my carry on (no fecking way any camera equipment is going in the hold) but never had the terminals covered!