DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus TSA Requires a Separate Screening of Cameras in Airports Now

Bad news, photographers: your airport experience in the United States is now more tedious if you’re planning to carry a camera onto the plane. The TSA just announced that all electronics larger than a cell phone need to be placed into a bin for separate screening.

The move is part of a rollout of “new, stronger screening procedures for carry-on items.”

If you’re bringing a camera bag or case onto the plane to keep it with you, you’ll be required to pull the camera(s) out of the bag and place them inside a bin for X-ray screening while passing through the standard security lanes. The camera will need to have nothing above or below it, similar to how laptops have already been screened at airports for years now.

The stated goal of this new measure is to give TSA security officers a clearer X-ray image of electronics than if those gadgets are left inside carry-on bags.

“It is critical for TSA to constantly enhance and adjust security screening procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats and keep passengers safe,” says acting TSA administrator Huban A. Gowadia. “By separating personal electronic items such as laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles for screening, TSA officers can more closely focus on resolving alarms and stopping terror threats.”

“It is possible that passengers may experience more bag checks,” the TSA says, “however, through extensive testing, TSA identified ways to improve screening procedures with quicker and more targeted measures to clear the bags.

There’s no change to what can be brought through checkpoints, so you’ll be able to still carry the same camera equipment onto your flight. Also, if you are enrolled in TSA’s PreCheck program, you won’t be required to remove cameras and other electronics from your bag.

The TSA has already tested this new security plan at 10 airports across the country, and now the agency is rolling the same measures out to every single U.S. airport over the coming weeks and months.

It is getting to the point where walking to your destination is faster than flying.

I don't get what the big deal is, in fact I don't even see it as much of a change.. I've had to pull my tablet out of my computer bag for years... I never travel with a camera (other than my phone).. I just assumed all electronic devices were treated that way.

Last time I flew was December 2001 - down to Tampa to party with the DudedinDawgs for a Browns game.

From what I remember, they hadn’t yet instituted a lot of the security procedures I’ve read about on DT. For instance, I didn’t have to take off shoes.

I think it was just like it was before the 9/11 attacks.

Except that there was airport security everywhere openingly carrying M-16s.

When I take a 1-1/2 hour flight, say to Bermuda, I arrive 2 hours early for TSA and then board the plane.

600 miles off the North Carolina coast and it takes 3-1/2 hours!

Lindbergh did it in less than half that time!

Some of the US stipulations like removing footwear is not a procedure enforced elsewhere. It makes me think that some of what we see as "security" is really for show and doesn't truly make us safer.

I don't get what the big deal is, in fact I don't even see it as much of a change.. I've had to pull my tablet out of my computer bag for years... I never travel with a camera (other than my phone).. I just assumed all electronic devices were treated that way.

Because I'm not talking about just removing a compact point and shoot camera. Enthusiasts and professionals have a bunch of gear. Multiple camera bodies, multiple lenses, speedlights, flash remotes, etc. All of that now has to be unpacked.

Because I'm not talking about just removing a compact point and shoot camera. Enthusiasts and professionals have a bunch of gear. Multiple camera bodies, multiple lenses, speedlights, flash remotes, etc. All of that now has to be unpacked.

I'm ok with you unpacking if it keeps terrorists from blowing up planes.

TSA screeners, many of whom work part-time with no benefits, have a high-stress low-paying job that lacks many protections that other government workers have. Frustrated passengers create an unpleasant work environment for screeners, and complaints about long lines create political pressure on them to move people rapidly. As a result, there is high turnover among personnel; and the chronic stress experienced by those who remain impedes their job performance. These factors increase the likelihood that an actual terrorist will encounter an inexperienced, inattentive, or stressed-out screener who is motivated to move passengers along as quickly as possible.