10/1/2007 UPDATE:
I received a response from TSA today. While they did not specifically mention DSLRs in their response to my very specific question, my take on their response is that their policy does not require DSLRs to be removed from bags.
“Laptop computers, full-size video game consoles, full-size DVD players, CPAP breathing machines and video cameras that use video cassettes must be removed from their carrying cases and submitted separately for x-ray screening. Laptop computers and video cameras that use cassettes have long been subject to this policy. Small and portable electronic items do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.”
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Pro photographers Scott Kelby and Tom Hogan have both blogged about their recent experience going through airport security in the United States while traveling with their DSLR cameras. It appears that there is a new TSA policy that requires DSLRs to be removed from their bags when going through the airport security screening area. TSA has had a policy of requiring laptops and video cameras to be removed from their bags, but DLSR cameras are a new addition.
Scott said in his blog that “while passing through security the TSA Agent at the X-ray belt, said: “That’s a LowePro camera bag; do you have a DSLR in there?†I said yes, and he said I had to remove it and put it on the belt.” Scott questioned another TSA agent about the new policy, who said that as of August 4, 2007 that all DSLR are supposed to be removed, but not all airports have instituted this new policy yet, but he felt certain most would.
According to the TSA website:
“Laptop computers and video cameras with cassettes must be removed from their carrying cases and placed in one of the bins provided. You will also need to remove your coat, jacket, suit jacket or blazer and place it in one of the bins. These items go through the X-ray machine.”
I was unable to locate any mention on their website of DSLR cameras being added to this policy. I submitted a request to TSA for additional information regarding this new policy but have not received a response as of this writing. I will post an update if/when I hear back from them.
The removal of DSLR’s at TSA check points is not the policy of the TSA. What travelers often face is the on the spot decision making of TSA screeners. TSA screeners are often ill informed of TSA policy and many cannot differentiate between a full size DSLR, such as the Canon 1D and a full-size video camera such as the Canon XL-2. Sounds silly? It’s not.
The TSA policy for electronics removal includes the following
Full size DVD players, laptops, CPAP breathing machines, video cameras that use video cassettes and full size video game consoles.
You can read the official TSA policy here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/sop/index.shtm
Keep in mind that the TSA has a high turn over in personnel. This turn over often creates gaps in training procedures. Additionally, the TSA was formed by the Department of Homeland Security to make a more uniform system of airport travel procedures. In the past few years the TSA has begun to outsource the security screening at certain airports to third party private security firms. This outsourcing is officially called the “Screening Partnership Program.” By outsourcing the TSA screening to private companies you get an even more inconsistent screening experience when traveling. What this also causes is a completely non-uniform security procedure, much like the private security issues that airports had prior to the formation of the TSA…….except all screeners now wear a very similar uniform to work (you’ll notice at some airports, such as SFO, the screeners do not wear a standard TSA patch on their uniform and they have a unique “branding” stitched to the back of their white uniform shirt).
You can read more on the current climate of travel, learn how to travel more effectively and get quite a bit of travel tid-bits and tips at my blog which is set up for photographers who travel for business and pleasure at: http://www.flyingwithfish.com
Happy Flying
-Fish
New hurdle for photographers at airport security « Airports USA // Oct 18, 2007 at 7:27 pm
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