Strategy for camera protection: TSA will not check bags with declared guns in them

[Ed Richards]

http://lifehacker.com/5448014/pack-a-gun-to-protect-valuables-from-airline-theft-or-loss

[Ari]

Hey, pretty good idea.
Buy a $15 starter pistol, and never worry again about lost or stolen luggage.

[C. D. Keth]

It's true. I've traveled with firearms many times and you're asked to certify that the weapon is safe and unloaded. The person at the check-in desk generally doesn't want to see the weapon. I've never been asked to open a gun case. Once you have done that, your bag gets tagged with a special tag that denotes a weapon inside.

[Brian C. Miller]

What's to prevent you from simply claiming that you have a firearm in your baggage? And put in a gun-shaped piece of aluminum foil for the xray machine operators to see?

[C. D. Keth]

What's to prevent you from simply claiming that you have a firearm in your baggage? And put in a gun-shaped piece of aluminum foil for the xray machine operators to see?

Probably nothing. I don't think anybody's particularly concerned with no guns present where they took precautions.

[BradS]

I get what you're asking...just wanted to point out that the xray machine itself knows the difference between aluminum foil and steel. Obviously, so too does the operator.

[Light Guru]

Will this work?

http://lastnamebackwardsis-krap.tumblr.com/post/28214122837/what-its-a-camera-i-wanted-to-get-a-picture-of

[Daniel Stone]

Nothing's wrong with the majority of Americans Ross. However, just like Australians(I have some family in Australia btw), we here in America have a certain part of the population that are deemed "looney" :)...

Lets keep this thread from getting deleted, the discussion was talking about using a "loophole" to keep our camera gear safe during travel.

What I'd like to know: If traveling to int'l destinations, is there a "workaround" like this for foreign countries by chance?
Even those countries that allow firearms to be owned by their own citizens?

-Dan

[Peter Mounier]

Here is a Wiki page that talks about traveling with a gun, both domestically and internationally...
http://www.wikihow.com/Travel-on-Airplanes-With-a-Gun

Peter

[Roger Cole]

Nothing's wrong with the majority of Americans Ross. However, just like Australians(I have some family in Australia btw), we here in America have a certain part of the population that are deemed "looney" :)...

Lets keep this thread from getting deleted, the discussion was talking about using a "loophole" to keep our camera gear safe during travel.

What I'd like to know: If traveling to int'l destinations, is there a "workaround" like this for foreign countries by chance?
Even those countries that allow firearms to be owned by their own citizens?

-Dan

International is another issue of course. I know it's POSSIBLE to some countries, because hunting groups do it, primarily with long guns, pretty regularly to some countries but the particulars vary a lot more and I'd think they'd be a lot more likely to inspect the contents and a lot more likely to look askance at just sneaking in camera gear.

This is an idea that had not occurred to me though. Like many southerners I grew up always owning guns and still do. It wouldn't have occurred to me to travel with one just to include my camera gear in the package, but if I wanted to do so, it would be easily done.

[Roger Cole]

Now that I actually read the article - buy a cheap starter pistol probably is better than risking a much more valuable real gun, however carefully it's tracked, if one has no other desire to take it. Interesting idea.

[photobymike]

What's to prevent you from simply claiming that you have a firearm in your baggage? And put in a gun-shaped piece of aluminum foil for the xray machine operators to see?

That is actually a bad idea..... you will freak out some low paid TSA worker and cause yourself alot of greif...If you travel with a firearm read the following.....

I have a Florida permit to carry and i used to be law-enforcement..."I dont leave home without it" I always get royal treatment with the luggage.... Years ago i was even asked to carry on the airplane ...and the pilot would keep it for me....nice guy ... he had a conceal carry also... to this day i cant fly into California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New York City, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virgin Islands, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Illinois, N. Mariana Islands.... they dont have agreements with Florida...... its changing day by day

Please i am not saying this to incite riots on LF.... I really respect other opinons....

This information is intended for photographers that fly and "carry" into airport. I suspect there are a few of us....

also note 1.. it helps to have gun disassembled.(Rendered "SAFE" so TSA inspector does not shot him or herself).. 2 ..you have to call ahead and get special instructions from the airline. (some dont take weapons) 3.. a locked case in luggage with key available for TSA (they will inspect it and record the serial number) 4... keep your CC permit handy.... you will need to display it. Different states even different locals have different laws so bone up where you are going.... i actually put it in a Pelican with my camera ... so both are safe......

Please dont turn this into something its not..... its just put forth as information only ...not opinion.....

[Drew Wiley]

I'd be worried about some baggage handler stealing it, then it ending up in some crime
scenario with serious implications. Perfectly plausible around here. All my camera gear goes
into a carry-on, and anything else of real value. I don't even want the tripod going thru
check-in. Stuff disappears. This pretty much limits me to 4x5 on flights, rather than my
preferred 8x10 system, but it's better than losing rare equip, having it damaged, or going
through even more hassles just trying to board a flight.

[photobymike]

TSA makes sure that does not happen..... it would be on them if it turns up missing. My locked Pelican has a sticker that notifies of TSA special attention needed.... different airlines have different ways of notifying TSA of special handling needed. There is a movement for private security companies at airports. Sanford intl. in Orlando is moving towards privatizing security. They all have different ways to handle with competence any special security needs luggage.

[rdenney]

Those risks are what make the starter pistol a good idea. It cannot be used as a weapon--it has a solid barrel. I doubt that it is covered at all by state concealed-carry laws.

The reason the TSA requires it to be checked and declared is because it looks real.

Rick "who has not had the problem with theft reported by many others" Denney

[rdenney]

I decided to tone down the title a bit. People were drawing the wrong conclusions.

Rick "it's not really about guns" Denney

[Brian C. Miller]

That is actually a bad idea..... you will freak out some low paid TSA worker and cause yourself alot of greif...If you travel with a firearm read the following.....

I have a Florida permit to carry and i used to be law-enforcement..."I dont leave home without it" I always get royal treatment with the luggage.... Years ago i was even asked to carry on the airplane ...and the pilot would keep it for me....nice guy ... he had a conceal carry also... to this day i cant fly into California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New York City, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virgin Islands, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Illinois, N. Mariana Islands.... they dont have agreements with Florida...... its changing day by day

Please i am not saying this to incite riots on LF.... I really respect other opinons....

That's for concealed carry with a real firearm. I'm using the concept of an aluminum foil sillouette and checking it into TSA, so that a package that's declared to have a gun in it looks like it has a gun in it. Honestly, if it's a "bad" idea to have the silloutte of a handgun in your luggage, is a starter pistol better?

The times that someone gets in trouble with the TSA and violates federal laws is when a person attempts to carry the firearm onto the airplane in carry-on luggage, not checking it through TSA in the luggage.

[Roger Cole]

And the laws for concealed carry are different than for possession. You can in fact fly into most of those places and bring a firearm with you. You just can't carry it on you - you could arrive, take it to your destination in the case, go to a shooting range, go hunting etc. so you could also have a camera in the case with it.

[paulr]

When I first read about this it seemed like a great idea. Starter pistols get the same special treatment as guns but are legal to carry in all 50 states. But then I read a couple of articles (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-08-14/news/0608140240_1_aviation-security-police-officers-chicago-police) about guns specifically being targeted by thieves at airports. Suggests this scheme could backfire. So to speak.

[BradS]

I'm using the concept of an aluminum foil sillouette and checking it into TSA, so that a package that's declared to have a gun in it looks like it has a gun in it. Honestly, if it's a "bad" idea to have the silloutte of a handgun in your luggage,

...and again, I will point out that there is no way that a cleverly shaped wad of aluminum foil "looks" like a gun when it goes through the xray machine. The machine itself knows the difference between aluminum and steel! No competent xray technician would confuse the two...certainly not the TSA folks.

[BrianShaw]

...and again, I will point out that there is no way that a cleverly shaped wad of aluminum foil "looks" like a gun when it goes through the xray machine. The machine itself knows the difference between aluminum and steel! No competent xray technician would confuse the two...certainly not the TSA folks.

... and no matter, this scheme is illadvised for so many reasons.

[Roger Cole]

I think faking it with a fake silhouette is very ill-advised. Whether it's so with a starter pistol, or a real one for that matter, depends on rules I haven't researched and the circumstances. I won't be taking a firearm anywhere I wouldn't otherwise just to include a camera for example - better to get the starter pistol if one were going to do that. But if one is traveling with firearms anyway it might be just as well to include a camera, IF that's actually allowed per TSA and I don't know. It could be that only the weapon and related items (magazines for example) are allowed in the same case. The same concern would apply to the starter pistol for that matter. Perfectly legal to declare it and travel with it, whether it's within TSA rules to put a camera in the same case is a different question. Anyone know for sure?

[photobymike]

If in doubt don't ... "ill-advised" Gimme a break ...TSA or any Federal officers are known for not having a sense of humor. If you do not want to follow Federal Laws and TSA directives at airports (federal jurisdiction) dont go. They (airport police and TSA) don't suffer fools well....

[Leigh]

What's to prevent you from simply claiming that you have a firearm in your baggage?
TSA would arrest you for not carrying a gun.

Ironic, isn't it. :eek:

- Leigh

[Mike Anderson]

Maybe if you tell them you have volatile and explosive chemicals in your luggage they'll be very, very, careful with it.

[BradS]

... They, airport police and TSA, don't suffer fools....

That's a fact!

[Roger Cole]

Reminds me of something I read a few years ago. Someone plastered their cases containing Hasselblad gear with biohazard labels and "Warning - Human Tissue Samples" stickers even though there was no such material in them. Worked great for a while until finally airport security insisted on checking and were very not-amused. This was pre-TSA too I believe.

Again, I wouldn't fake it. But if you have what you claim, it might be ok to also have other items in the case, or not. I'd check on that before doing it and comply with these rules though.

[paulr]

I think faking it with a fake silhouette is very ill-advised. Whether it's so with a starter pistol, or a real one for that matter, depends on rules I haven't researched and the circumstances.

Unlike the foil, using a starter pistol isn't deception. You declare it as a starter pistol. The rules say that a starter pistol needs to be treated as a real gun in your baggage ... but it's legal to own and transport anywhere in the country. That's why it's a clever idea, assuming that this whole rigamarole actually makes your bags less likely to be stolen, which seems at least a little questionable.

I read an article by one photographer who had three starter pistols, so he could put one in each of his checked equipment cases. Aparently TSA agents aren't authorized to say, "dude, can you just save us some time and put your toy gun collection in one bag?"

[Roger Cole]

I'm just wondering if there are rules against having unrelated stuff packed in the same case. But if not, there shouldn't be a problem with this.

[photobymike]

The airline will tell you how.... in with the clothes, in with the camera ... locked is the usual way I have even had to check the gun case separate and charged for a separate bag.. check with the airline .... police, FBI, bond agents, and conceal carry fly all the time..... more than you know... the airlines now what to do..... The TSA will WILL most definitely check your bag with the gun and record the serial number

[Robert Kalman]

I'd be worried about some baggage handler stealing it, then it ending up in some crime
scenario with serious implications. Perfectly plausible around here. All my camera gear goes
into a carry-on, and anything else of real value. I don't even want the tripod going thru
check-in. Stuff disappears. This pretty much limits me to 4x5 on flights, rather than my
preferred 8x10 system, but it's better than losing rare equip, having it damaged, or going
through even more hassles just trying to board a flight.

How do you manage to take your tripod on board as a carry on?

[Jim Andrada]

I carry my tripod in a carry on all the time. I have a Giotto that folds very compactly - short enough to fit in a briefcase. It's also surprisingly stable and not a toy at all. One of the legs comes off for use as a monopod. I use it with Mamiya RB, Super Graphic 4 x 5 and have even had my 8 x 10 Seneca on it.

Would it be my first choice - well I normally us a Ries for the Seneca and a Linhof or a Libec video tripod for my heavier cameras. But the Giotto goes into a small case with my Super, a dark cloth, and 4 or 5 lenses so for travel it's hard to beat.

[Robert Kalman]

I carry my tripod in a carry on all the time. I have a Giotto that folds very compactly - short enough to fit in a briefcase. It's also surprisingly stable and not a toy at all. One of the legs comes off for use as a monopod. I use it with Mamiya RB, Super Graphic 4 x 5 and have even had my 8 x 10 Seneca on it.

Would it be my first choice - well I normally us a Ries for the Seneca and a Linhof or a Libec video tripod for my heavier cameras. But the Giotto goes into a small case with my Super, a dark cloth, and 4 or 5 lenses so for travel it's hard to beat.

Perhaps I need to rethink my travel kit. I also use a Ries, that's why I have to check it as luggage in my long, Lightware rolling bag. What head do you use on the Giotto?

[Bob Salomon]

Perhaps I need to rethink my travel kit. I also use a Ries, that's why I have to check it as luggage in my long, Lightware rolling bag. What head do you use on the Giotto?

He has a Giotto VGR tripod. There are s in the series, 4 aluminum and 2 carbon fiber and they all come with a Giotto ball head.

[Jim Andrada]

Hi Bob

I noticed that the suffix on mine was S2C and the current one seems to be S2N. What's the difference?

By the way - I think it's some of the best money I've ever spent on Photography stuff - I love this little tripod. Very light (even the Al version) and solid enough to hold more than you'd think it would.

[Ari]

Hi Bob

I noticed that the suffix on mine was S2C and the current one seems to be S2N. What's the difference?

By the way - I think it's some of the best money I've ever spent on Photography stuff - I love this little tripod. Very light (even the Al version) and solid enough to hold more than you'd think it would.

This might help, Jim.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/indepth/photography/hands-reviews/giottos-new-vgr-tripods-convert-monopods

[Bob Salomon]

Hi Bob

I noticed that the suffix on mine was S2C and the current one seems to be S2N. What's the difference?

By the way - I think it's some of the best money I've ever spent on Photography stuff - I love this little tripod. Very light (even the Al version) and solid enough to hold more than you'd think it would.

The current version has a two piece center column. Also, after the first version that had a propritary quick release on the ball head all later versions come with an Arca compatible quick release.