I haven't flown since before 9/11. I'm leaving for London
out of JFK on > Tuesday. Can I expect the security folks to
hand-examine my lenses and make me prove that my camera is a
camera? I just want to know what to expect.
>
> Thanks,
> Amita
==========
They will just x-ray everything. The danger is if your gear
is in a separate bag. When I try to put my gear bag in one
of those plastic tubs, the attendants always want to remove
it. This has happened in several countries. And they don't
just remove it. They like to slap your gear bag down on the
conveyor belt with emphasis, indicating that you have
offended mightily and upset the balance of the cosmos by
wanting protection not authorized by regulations. When I
protested this in Montreal the fellow just gave a Gallic
shrug. When I protested at Heathrow, I got a very sharp
"What's in there?"
Traveling by air is not fun. Destinations can be. I hope
that you have a good time wherever you arrive.
In the U.S., people with videocams are now required to
remove them, just like portable computers. Maybe SLRs will
be next.
I leave Monday for Brazil with a minimal kit -- *ist D and
DA 40 f2.8. Have to spend my time in a conference and don't
expect to be able to do much photography.
Joe
