Tips for taking camera equipment through airports

JohnMcL7

JohnMcL7

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I was going to reply to the other thread here discussing airport security but thought it would be better having a thread of its own.

I'm heading to the US in a couple of weeks with a fair amount of camera gear and wondering if there's any recommendations people would make to be aware of to prepare for. I was surprised at the posts in the security thread where people had more scrutiny over the equipment than I expected.

One particular issue is loose batteries as I'm on the fence about taking two extra for the drone. Looking at the rules for the airlines they claim the batteries need to be 'protected' or in cases, I did ask on a drone forum for advice but I was told it's just a myth and when I provided links to the airlines specifying this requirement I was told again it's just a myth(!)
 
I always have my spare batteries in separate plastic bags in my hand luggage ... never had a problem.
 
Search for "camera battery case storage" and you will get lots of options.
 
I've carried batteries, radios, cameras, chargers and all sorts of other 'potentially suspect' items all over the world on dozens of trips, and have been checked and searched many times. :naughty:

The one constant you should remember, is to always carry anything 'questionable' in your hand luggage. It's easily searched and you will be there to explain what the items are. Be prepared to request a supervisor or superior - education and a high IQ is not a job requirement. :rolleyes:

Batteries should always be separated and isolated . . . (y)
 
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I always put a bit of insulating tape over the contacts of any uncased spare batteries, then stick them in little baggies (got loads left over from Covid tests).
 
I'm just back from New Delhi. Departing from Heathrow T2 was an absolute breeze. Coming back, not so much, quite a few holds ups going through security at T3. My GoPro & Nikon batteries were put in a small plastic bag the night before going to the airport. Everything in my camera backpack was ready to be dumped in their trays quickly. Putting it all back in was a pain :)
 
Bletch said:
I'm just back from New Delhi. Departing from Heathrow T2 was an absolute breeze. Coming back, not so much, quite a few holds ups going through security at T3. My GoPro & Nikon batteries were put in a small plastic bag the night before going to the airport. Everything in my camera backpack was ready to be dumped in their trays quickly. Putting it all back in was a pain :)
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Why did you empty your camera backpack? The only thing I take out is my iPad (although that wasn’t necessary at LHR). Just been through Heathrow, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Phuket and only at Phuket did anything come out. Two cameras, two lenses, a power bank and spare batteries all just left in the backpack.
 
I usually have my spare batteries in an old film camera case that works well enough - I’ve never been asked to show them or remove from a backpack.

The issue I’ve occasionally had is if I have my Leica M10 with me. A couple of times I’ve been asked to show it once it’s been through the scanners as it’s allegedly a little dense for easy scrutiny from a scanner! No issue other than having to wait to get it checked.
 
Craig1912 said:
Why did you empty your camera backpack?
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Because in October at New Delhi airport my Lowepro bag caused a stir. So my bag was pulled aside and I had to empty the full thing in front of the officer - batteries, go pros, pocket 3, mini torch, pens, house keys, padlocks, loose change, everything. they didn't say what alerted the xray machine but the second time it went through, all was fine. I didn't take anything out of my bag at Heathrow T2, the notices on the wall said not to.
 
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Bletch said:
Because in October at New Delhi airport my Lowepro bag caused a stir.
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At one time, I was a parish councilor and was the last person to run away when the chairman wanted a victim volunteer to represent the council on the local airport's advisory committee.

It actually turned out to be quite interesting. At one meeting, they arranged for the customs team to talk us through the basics of how security checks worked. They explained why bags full of gadgets sometimes have to be checked. As they only see the silhouette on the screen, they have to confirm that something that appears problematic isn't. The quickest way, it seems, is to empty the bag, glance through the contents and get the passenger to repack it. If the suspicious silhouette has disappeared, all is well.
 
Tui told us that we must put all batteries (lithium-ion) in carry-on. It must be a new regulation. I suppose if something goes wrong it will be seen immediately which wouldn't be the case in the hold. I assume this is because of the electric bike fires.

Coming home from Tenerife on March 3rd was the first time , on these trips, that security (Spanish) wanted to see my kit. Only once did that happen in eight visits to the US. Having just read AF's post I now appreciate why it was done.
 
The Lithium batteries in hand luggage has been a rule for a few years.
 
i carry my camera through as hand luggage, including extra batteries( with covers on) , i always take ages to get through security and the bags been through the scanner several times regularly, granted the extra time taken but rather this than even contemplate risking it going in the hold
 
Brendan Mulachy said:
i carry my camera through as hand luggage, including extra batteries( with covers on) , i always take ages to get through security and the bags been through the scanner several times regularly, granted the extra time taken but rather this than even contemplate risking it going in the hold
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Agree. I do the same. As Pete mentioned re his wife, my wife carries one or two of the lenses. Usually the 70-200 and the 17-40mm.
I have my 24-105 on my 5D11 out on my lap at a window seat which we always pay extra for. I know which seats to book re a good full window view1-8 but never 6. (Boeing 737 Max 800 ) not overlooking the engine or wing or behind the engine..heat haze... Unfortunately, there haven't been any decent cloudscapes to photograph the last few times. April is the next trip. It's a good month for showers and thunderstorms. Two of those Boeing's crashed. They've sorted the issue. When I saw which plane we were on I was a bit concerned.

It's off topic, really but worth a read despite its length. It's very concerning. I was aware of Boeing g's record and would rather fly Airbus but you don't get a choice with holiday companies. We book through Tui. Jet2 use them, too. You just have to hope it's not your flight that highlights a problem leading to disaster.

perell.com

Why Did The Boeing 737 Max Crash? - David Perell

David analyzes the root causes of the Boeing 737 Max crash. Read here.
perell.com perell.com

"The more I studied the crash, the more I realized the media wasn’t telling the full story. That’s the purpose of this essay. Why did the 737 Max crash? Because of a software failure. Why did the software fail? Because Boeing’s executive team has lowered its engineering standards. Why did Boeing lower its engineering standards? To lower costs and increase efficiency — the goal was to save money"

No criminal proceedings. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c891k875x3qo#:~:text=Boeing will avoid a criminal,to dismiss the criminal case.

Well, if you say it takes you a while to get through security re the photo gear then maybe I've just been lucky. As I said, that inspection leaving Tenerife South was the first time on our trips to Tenerife, Madeira and Croatia. The real issue, though, was the rudeness of the Spanish security officer. Added to that was the time pressure.
 
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I appreciate all the replies which really help in reassuring me.

I bought a Thinktank Rotation 34L which is just within the cabin bag allowance because it would be big enough to take the camera, drone, lenses and other electronics but when double checking the dimensions I noticed this on the BA site:

Cabin bag:​

  • 1 cabin bag
  • Max dimensions up to 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) – includes wheels and handles
  • You must be able to lift your cabin bag into the overhead compartment unassisted
  • No valuables, electronics or essential medicines
  • May need to go in the hold
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The bag clearly can't go in the hold because it has batteries but I assume others haven't had any issues carrying electronics this way?
 
I have used the same bag for years a Lowepro computreker
It will fit under the seat which means that if there is no overhead space I can put it under the seat in front and won’t be forced to put it in the hold
I have never been asked to put stow it in the hold and as Craig said if you explain that it has camera equipment they should understand and let you carry it on
on some flights at the gate they sometimes ask for ‘volunteer's’ to put bags in hold but to be honest there are always people with huge wheeled hand luggage so I don’t get asked
 
The backpack I want to take is a fair bit bigger than the Computreker so I don't think would fit under the seat. I do have a smaller backpack with a similar design to the computreker I was thinking I could take to the airport and repack if they refused the larger backpack (I find the rotation one much better for use on the go) but then that's only one of five flights and they may not agree for the next one.
 
What I sometimes do is take a bigger bag in suitcase and use the computreker just for travelling with lens hood reversed and off the camera for compactness
Then use the big bag once I get there
 
LCPete said:
What I sometimes do is take a bigger bag in suitcase and use the computreker just for travelling with lens hood reversed and off the camera for compactness
Then use the big bag once I get there
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That's a good option and one I've been considering because I think I'll have space in my hold luggage.

What I was also thinking was I bought the insert for the backpack which is another bag in its own right that fits into the top section of the backpack and the lower rotation part is also its own waist bag as well. So if they're not happy about the electronics going in the bag, I could split it into the shoulder and waist bag which will fit under the seat then the backpack (which can be squeezed into a smaller space) could go overhead.
 
We had to put our luggage in the hold in January going to Lisbon.
My camera and a couple of lenses were in my rucksack which could fit under the seat in front.
 
My photo outfit for foreign travel......

20260316_092741_resize_61.jpg

20260316_092856_resize_49.jpg

Just goes through the scanner in a tray :)
 
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Craig1912 said:
We had to put our luggage in the hold in January going to Lisbon.
My camera and a couple of lenses were in my rucksack which could fit under the seat in front.
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My wife and I also have rucksacks for carry-on and ,as with Pete, we put them under the seat infront. Much easier, it saves that struggle to get bags in and out of the overhead.
 
Craig1912 said:
We had to put our luggage in the hold in January going to Lisbon.
My camera and a couple of lenses were in my rucksack which could fit under the seat in front.
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Why did you luggage have to go in the hold, just not enough space on the plane?
 
JohnMcL7 said:
Why did you luggage have to go in the hold, just not enough space on the plane?
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Yep- around 20 cases went in the hold. Generally happens on short haul when lots of people bring the large hand luggage. There isn’t enough room in the overhead lockers.
 
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