I fly out of Oakland whenever possible (versus SF). First of all, NEVER EVER EVER put any camera or anything of real value into checked-in luggage;
it WILL get stolen. As far as TSA security lines are concerned, I've never had an issue with carry-on camera gear. Medium format gear, large format, sheet film holders, roll film, 35mm cameras, light meters - just put em in your carry-on and send it thru the X-Ray. You're more likely to get hassled over a laptop. The rule on these seem to be changing all the time; but ya gotta admit, the more electronic something is, the more they need to look at it carefully. And you take your chances with hand inspection. They claim film up to ASA400 is unharmed by TSA X-Ray, and I've done careful densitometer measurements to confirm this fact after multiple exposures. No problems. Otherwise, if they hand inspect, they'll swab and snoop through your bag too. Some handlers are very courteous and careful, some are not. I got picked out of the line last time simply because I forgot to
take my baseball cap off. So they checked me pretty thoroughly, but didn't bother a single item in my bag, which was obviously viewed via the X-Ray
already, and had two 6x7's in it, film, even a collapsed Gitzo tripod. Otherwise, Oakland is a much faster, more efficient airport than most. Rarely a
long line through security.
