[ updated 28-Sept-2007 to add a link to Schneier's blog ]
In the completely-useless-policies department, Thom Hogan and Scott Kelby have recently and independently pointed out that TSA screeners are making people take their DSLRs (actually anything larger than your first) out of their camera bags and send them through the x-ray machines in their own gray bins, just like laptops and video cameras.
When will the habit of adding even more inane rules to the TSA policy stop? Would writing Congress help? Maybe we should try and find out. If enough people complain, maybe it will get them to change policy.
What’s sad is that there are people out there who believe they’re safer by following these rules. Do yourself a favor, educate yourself and read a few posts on Bruce Schneier’s blog.
CHERYL | 28-Sep-07 at 3:32 pm | Permalink
I wrote the TSA about this and it looks like local TSA may be making up their own rules. Here is the response I got when I emailed them about the TSA DSLR rules:
Thank you for contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Contact Center.
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.
We hope this information is helpful. For additional information, please visit our web site at http://www.tsa.gov.
TSA Contact Center
Kim G | 28-Sep-07 at 5:47 pm | Permalink
Thanks for the comment CHERYL. From what I’m reading, there’s nothing in their policy, and now you’re saying they won’t even answer direct questions about DSLRs. I really wish we could get someone with real security experience and common sense in the lead position at TSA. In case you’re interested, Bruce Schneier has an extensive interview with the head of TSA on his blog (which I need to link to in my post).
Steven Frischling | 29-Sep-07 at 7:47 pm | Permalink
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
Kim G | 01-Oct-07 at 10:06 am | Permalink
Great info Fish. Thanks. By the way, caught a link to your post about this on Strobist … congrats. That has to have driven some traffic your way. You finished that particular post with some sound advice:
“The lesson here , even for the most experienced flyer? You guessed, let them know what is i your bag up front and stick around until your baggage tag has a “TSA” sticker on it and us placed on the baggage belt.”
Steven Frischling | 01-Oct-07 at 1:52 pm | Permalink
Kim
I am glad you found my post useful. The rest of the blog should hopefully be useful as well. I am currently writing two new posts, one on using the train and the other on the situation of the TSA and how it affects us as travelers.
I honestly have no idea if being mentioned on The Strobist two weeks in a row has affected my traffic. I have no stat counter and have not installed Google Analytics. The Blog was originally written for a few flying photogs , some of whom were new to flying and I try and maintain writing it on that level.
Happy Flying!
-Fish
Yokimbo » Update to the DSLR Airport Issue | 06-Oct-07 at 12:04 pm | Permalink
[...] you may recall (”DSLRs Are Now Treated Like Laptops by TSA“), some professional photographers have been experiencing extra scrutiny at airports [...]