Interesting time at an airport...

Phillip P. Dimor · Oct 18, 2005

..Packed a darkroom into a large piece of luggage to bring back to GA. with me. Had a small Omega 35mm/MF enlarger, safelight, trays, paper and timer. I wish someone could have seen the face of the TSA men as they pulled my Time-O-Lite timer out of the luggage and proceeded to wipe it down with wet naps and test it for traces of explosives. They thought it was a bomb!

Also about 5 boxes of 100sht forte paper were wiped down (but not opened! bless that man for not opening it) while several men stood around my luggage.
Ah well.

Also reminds me of another story; Man orders two bricks of Kodachrome, 12 rolls per brick via the supply depot of the air force. Receives 12 bricks of Kodachrome but only 12 mailers. *bangs head*

KenM · Oct 18, 2005

I had a similar experience on Saturday when I went through security in Phoenix. The guy running the scanner wanted to scan (and scan, and scan) my roller, which contained my Technika, 7 lenses, meter, and a ton of film. I asked him to not scan it again, so they did a hand inspection.

The guy that did the inspection was *very* gentle with my gear. They swabbed the film boxes (one exposed, one not), and looked at everything. I was impressed with his care, and thanked him. I showed him the camera, which he though was really cool - followed by saying that it was like an 'old camera'

All in all, a good experience.

Bighead · Oct 18, 2005

Just this weekend, my Mamiya C330 received some nice attention:

"Sir, what is this"???
"A camera"
"A Camera"?
"Yes, a camera"
"ah huh, Sir, I am going to need you to open this up and turn it on for me".
"Well, I'd be happy to show it to you but there isn't anything to turn on"
"What do you mean"?
"There is no on/off... There is no power source"

He calls someone else over.....

"Hey Bill, you ever seen anythhing like this"?
"What, have I ever seen a camera"? Yeah, quite a few. Sir, heres your camera, have a good day."

Jeremy · Oct 18, 2005

Flying back from Maryland I was offered a hand-check for my 15 rolls of film which I graciously accepted. The gent was very affable and courteous.

Monophoto · Oct 18, 2005

I've traveled a lot over the years, and have my share of horror stories of inconsiderate airport security - in the US as well as many other parts of the world. In general, I have to say that I have been very impressed with the performance of the TSA folks, both in terms of there apparent thoroughness and professionalism, and the way that they handle themselves with the public.

But unfortunately, the TSA relies on people, and people are subject to the usual human frailties. My wife and I had a bad experience last Monday evening with what I consider to be arrogant and unprofessional behavior by a few TSA people. Admittedly they were overwhelmed and understaffed for the volumn of travelers they had to deal with, but that was no excuse for them to yell at people or to employ retaliatory techniques against travelers who didn't meet their unspoked expectations.

The traveling experience used to be fun - now all that matters is whether you get to the destination.

wildbill · Oct 18, 2005

Be careful as even though the tsa should have the same rules at all U.S. airports, they don't enforce them so. They've made me open all my boxes of film, luckily i had my changing tent. It was just a show anyway. The guy took all of my boxes and only opened 2 of them. I've also had them require that they open all 120 packaging to see the film on unexposed rolls. Just let them scan away. Oh, good luck filing a complaint. I've been waiting a month to hear about my TSA approved padlocks they cut off.

Paul Sorensen · Oct 18, 2005

This story works best out loud, but here goes. I was coming back home from Minneapolis and asked them to hand check my sack of film. I had about 20 rolls or 35mm, all removed from their boxes and canisters. The agent gives me this look, takes the bag from me, holds it up in the air and yells out "HAND CHECK, IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG ONE!"

The guy who did the hand check was very quick and quite professional and it turned out to be no big deal, but the first guy was kind of a jerk about things. It was really funny hearing him yell, however.

Rlibersky · Oct 18, 2005

Having flown out of MPLS for years, I've almost always get a check on the camera bag. Even before 9/11. It weighs in at 45lbs. only once did I get any flack or have trouble.

The Checker took the lens off the M645 put here thumb on the mirror and first finger on the bottom to inspect. I must have looked annoyed because she quickly apologized and removed her thumb. I also had 8x10 film which she was going to open until I said. That would be fine but I need a document that says NW will pay me back the $350 dollars when they ruin the film. They didn't open it. Other then that always courteous.

removed account4 · Oct 18, 2005

back in 1982 we were flying from cdg in paris to the states. a family member had one of those funky ultra wide polaroid cameras ( way wider than a one step ) and a tripod in a small leather pouch.
the tripod pouch looked like it had a gun in it ... you should-a seen the folks who inspected it: looked at the pouch, they looked at us, and were nearly grabbing for their side arms thinking the worst.

... luckily we spoke enough french and were able to have them open the pouch and see it was a just a tripod.

it could have been ugly ...

firecracker · Oct 18, 2005

In the summer of 1999, I flew from the West Coast to the East Coast with a one-way ticket carrying a large and heavy, rusty and dirty (but still working) Bell & Howell 16mm film projector, which I bought in a sidewalk sale. You know this old film projector without having its arms and reels set up, looked perhaps more suspicious than gulf bags or camera cases, but there was no fear going around among the security people.

So, I experienced no problems at the airport when I boarded. I put the film projector under the seat since it was too heavy to put in the cabinet space and a fight attendant told me to keep it on the floor. But she didn't ask what it actually was when she tried to lift it. And during the flight, a young lady sitting next to me became curious about it, (and she was cute) so we started to talk for the next few hours about film, photography, and so on.

Man, that was one of the fun flights I used to have, but what happened?

celeborn · Oct 18, 2005

Fortunately I have no interesting airport photography stories, but then I just recently started shooting film again so I am sure my time is coming. I am traveling by train soon, I hadn't thought about their security. Anyone had any experience with them?

noexit · Oct 19, 2005

None of the train travel I've done, just to and from Seattle, has had any security at all. Not a single change after 911 either.

Dave Parker · Oct 19, 2005

firecracker said:
Man, that was one of the fun flights I used to have, but what happened?

If you don't remember 911 happened, so things have swung again to the right..

dave

firecracker · Oct 19, 2005

Satinsnow said:
If you don't remember 911 happened, so things have swung again to the right..

dave

Sad, isn't it?

BruceN · Oct 19, 2005

Satinsnow said:
If you don't remember 911 happened, so things have swung again to the right..

dave

I would argue that, as far as TSA, etc. is concerned, things have swung far to the left. These Soviet Union styly bag and paper checks are not the best answer IMO. Especially when they are hindered by extreme political correctness. My right wing answer would be to (gasp!) spend more time looking for terrorists than looking at luggage.
Before taking my current job I was an airling pilot. I was in a small town airport, hitching a ride with another airline. This is known to pilots as "jumpseating." I was in full uniform, with airline ID and white shirt with wings and captain's bars gleaming. For some reason, the TSA types decided I needed the "special treatment." So there I was, boots off, pants undone and arms outstretched getting felt up by some high school dropout when a nice little old lady stopped and asked "What are they searching YOU for?"
I was a little miffed by this time, so I said "I don't know ma'am, I guess they must think that I have something concealed about my person that I might use to somehow gain access to the cockpit and take control of the aircraft." TSA goon is now looking a little red. "Well isn't that what they PAY you to do?" the little old lady asked. "Yes ma'am, it is," I replied. TSA goon, now very red faced, throws my boots at me and grunts "You can go."
Most of the security I saw instituted after 911 is simple eyewash to make the public feel better. It has been somewhat effective in spite of this, but still not good enough. We're too afraid of offending someone to do what really needs to be done. Just my 2 lux worth.

Bruce

Calamity Jane · Oct 19, 2005

Ain't that strange Bruce! I had exactly the opposite experience shortly after 9/11.

I had two pisols coming in from a supplier to a major Canadian airport a few months after 9/11. Now up here pistols have been "restricted" for decades and you need a whole mitt full of papers to own or transport pistols.

Seein as how the whole continent was on alert, I figured I was going to be half the day at the airport to get in, get my box of pistols, and get out.

I walked into the counter at the air freight office and asked about my package. The fellow pointed to a door and said I should ask somebody in there to get it for me. I walk thru the door and I am standing in the (bonded) warehouse and there isn't soul around but the big overhead doors are open to the apron and I can see all the airliners parked at their loading gates. After waiting a LONG time, I managed to find a warehouse worker who got my package for me. Clearly marked on the waybill is "RESTRICTED WEAPONS" - the guy hands me my package and turned around and walked away.

There I stand on the apron, with all the airplanes getting ready to leave, with a box in my hands containing pistols, and I am all alone. MEanwhile the passengers inside are being X-rayed, searched, interrogated, etc.

Security? No, just window dressing.

Photo Engineer · Oct 19, 2005

Going out of DeGaulle airport in Paris a few years ago, I went through a total horror story but not at the hands of anyone. It was just watching what went on.

First, some unattended luggage turned out to be a bomb which went off. I saw that going up the escalator to the 2nd floor. Then, up there in the waiting area, the Gendarmes brought in 3 people stripped to their underwear. One began arguing, and the Gendarmes beat him with their sticks until he was a bloody mess and then dragged him out through a security door. His two companions became quite quiet. Wonder why?

The only high point was going through the x-ray. The security person told me that I had an excellent vintage in my luggage. I asked him how he knew, and he said that the winery that made that vintage was well known for their distinctive bottles which he recognized in the x-ray.

Oh, coming in to France I had 5 pounds of burre de caccawes (SP?) which is peanut butter. Our French friends children love peanut butter, but cannot buy it in France (easily), so I always brought 5 lbs of Peter Pan to them. That created some consternation at customs, but after the explanation (ah, nous comprenons, pour les enfants) they waved me through with big smiles.

Some good things, some bad.

Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. (no easy accent marks on my kbd, sorry to the purists out there)

PE

medform-norm · Oct 19, 2005

Photo Engineer said:
burre de caccawes (SP?) which is peanut butter.
PE

beurre de cacahuettes

(as it says on our jar of Dutch Jori pindakaas = peanut cheese - hey, what do y'a know - it's a dutch obsession, this cheese thing). It seems hard to get in some countries - here it's a national food. Seems to get force fed to young soccer players, if one may believe the commercials

Imke · Oct 19, 2005

Peanut butter, eyewash or not, I actually think things have beconme easier for shooters since the new security rules have been imposed, for the TSA guys are now REQUIRED to hand check film if they're being asked for it.

I used to have to argue with the officers about my film being professional ("So you're a pro, huh?"), that I push my 800 ASA film so it virtually becomes a 1600 ASA film, thus might be affected by x-ray ('You do WHAT with it?"), and once had somebody just simply put my bag, film and all, into the machine, cutting our discussion short.

These days I don't mind taking my boots off and the whole spiel, and engaging in a little conversation about cameras and photography while the officers check my film, much more pleasant experience than it used to be.

dans · Oct 19, 2005

Photo Engineer said:
Oh, coming in to France I had 5 pounds of burre de caccawes (SP?) which is peanut butter. Our French friends children love peanut butter, but cannot buy it in France (easily), so I always brought 5 lbs of Peter Pan to them. That created some consternation at customs, but after the explanation (ah, nous comprenons, pour les enfants) they waved me through with big smiles.

Although it hasn't been after 9/11, we do the same thing. Bring a big care package for friends that contains PB, Fluff, etc. The only problem is keeping to kids from eating it all in one day.

Dan

Mongo · Oct 19, 2005

Imke said:
Peanut butter, eyewash or not, I actually think things have beconme easier for shooters since the new security rules have been imposed, for the TSA guys are now REQUIRED to hand check film if they're being asked for it.

If only the TSA guys knew that. I think the reality is that they make up the rules as they go along.

I've had TSA officials refuse hand inspections, citing the line behind me as being "...too long to take time out for your film."

I've given up on asking for hand inspections in Pittsburgh, as they turn the whole thing into a production designed to stop you from ever wanting a hand inspection again. I've watched as they swabbbed every package of film until I thought the lettering would wear off, and then they "accidentally" mixed up the film they'd checked with the film they hadn't and the whole thing started over again. I'd rather just travel with slow film and send it through the machine...their anti-customer-service attitude is amazing. If I'd not been subjected to the treatment myself, I'd not have believed it.

In Paris, entering St. Chapelle for a concert, the guard looked at me, asked, "American, non?" to which I replied, "Oui, American." He just waved me through without even making me go through the metal detector. (I've been to St. Chapelle multiple times, and the worst I've run into is sending my camera bag through their x-ray machine - which didn't fog 400 film - but I've never been subjected to the abuse that I get in my own home town.)

I can take 2 Bic-style lighters onto a plane, but I can't take 3. And I can't check any through in my luggage. (I actually had two removed from my checked luggage at the end of a flight once.) The present security measures are nothing more than a sham perpetrated on the public to make people who don't think too hard believe they're being protected, when all they're really being is placated.

Robert Budding · Oct 19, 2005

I asked to have my Astia film hand inspected when I flew out of Portland, OR. The security person opened the sealed boxes and removed the foil wrap from each roll. At least she didn't unwind the film from the spool. But, hey, I gueass I looked like a terrorist - gray hair and traveling with my wife and two children (ages 6 and 8).

Next time I'll just mail my film ahead of time. Or I'll track down a supplier prior to the trip.

I feel so much safer now.
Robert

Mark Layne · Oct 19, 2005

Not a good thread
I have to fly Halifax Vancouver San Francisco this week. Maybe I put the Pentax spotmeter in suitcase.
Mark

colrehogan · Oct 19, 2005

Mongo said:
The present security measures are nothing more than a sham perpetrated on the public to make people who don't think too hard believe they're being protected, when all they're really being is placated.

Agreed. However, I'm going to get on a plane early Friday morning headed for CA and I'm taking my F5 with some ISO 400 print film with me. It will be interesting what kind of security they have at that hour of the morning.

gbroadbridge · Oct 20, 2005

If you do not have film that needs manual inspection, please dont ask for it. I'm pretty sure that the surly behaviour of some airport staff is because well meaning folks with 400 or 800 ASA film are asking for manual inspection.

If your film is slower than 3200 or probably even 6400 ASA you do not need manual inspection.

Period.

I have carried 400 ASA film through 10 airport inspections without fogging. I have never had a fogged film when carried through carry on baggage inspection machines.

Graham.

Interesting time at an airport...

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