Re: [Leica] Thoughts about cameras and the new aviation rules

[Tina Manley <images@InfoAve.Net>]

At 07:28 PM 9/15/01 -0700, you wrote:
>I'm flying on Thursday and desire to take my cameras to my daughter's
>college parent's day. I assume everything will be hand-checked. I assume the
>x-ray machines will be set "up" so I'm taking 100 ASA film and a flash.
>
>But if anyone has braved the new security and has suggestions for doing
>things right and easier I'd love to hear suggestions.
>
>Adam Bridge


Adam -

I just got back yesterday on the first flight to leave Guatemala since the 
11th.  I had no problem passing my film around the x-ray machines in 
Guatemala City or Houston.  I had it in zip-lock bags and got to the 
airport 3 hours early.  Security was very heavy at both airports.  My 
carry-ons went through a total of 4 x-ray machines and two chemical 
checks.  All baggage was hand-examined before checking in at the Guatemala 
airport.  When I got to the x-ray machines there,  they questioned my 
camera batteries.  I had several spares in my camera bag plus the ones in 
my cameras.  At first they were going to just take them, but when I 
explained how much the batteries cost, they had a Continental employee come 
to the security site and take the batteries to be checked.  I claimed them 
in Houston and put them in my checked baggage.  My digital camera and a 
Quantum battery attached to it were in my waist pack and were never 
questioned.  Neither was the digital album in my carry-on.  My flight from 
Guatemala was full because they were carrying everyone who had been 
scheduled to fly since the 11th.  When we landed in Houston, the pilot 
said, "Welcome to the United States of America!"  Everybody on board 
applauded.  Customs and baggage claim in Houston were empty and the flight 
from Houston to Charlotte was only half full.

I had spent the night with a family in the Cuchumatanes mountains and 
didn't know anything about what had happened until the afternoon of the 
11th when I heard the news in Spanish on the bus radio.  Everywhere we went 
in Guatemala people expressed concern for the USA said they were praying 
for us.  The news reports in Spanish were horrifying and graphic, but we 
were only able to see one hour of a CBS report on TV several days 
later.  My husband saved all of the newspapers for me, but I haven't wanted 
to look at them yet.

As for airport security right now, I would advise doing the same as 
always.  Carry your film in a zip-lock bag but, if you are traveling 
internationally, carry lead-lined bags also.  Put all of your camera 
batteries in your checked luggage.  I think digital will be even more the 
way to go in the future.

Tina


Tina Manley, ASMP
http://www.tinamanley.com

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