Flying with gear, any issues with TSA? Anything goes · Chase Newtson · ... · 8 · 731 · 0

CN_Astrophotography 4.01
...
· 
Hello fellow astrophotographers!

I am traveling to Florida, and will not have a checked bag.  So, since Minnesota has been very cloudy and very negative the past two months, I was looking to bring my Skyguider, camera and lenses with my tripod to get some data from not so negative temperatures.   Now I know as a general, photography and accessories are not an issue when it comes to TSA for carry on luggage.  My main concern is my latitude wedge, I have the William Optics Latitude base, which is a decent piece of machined metal.  I have never brought something like this onto a plane, do you think this could be a cause for concern with going through security?  This is my first time traveling by plane with gear.

Also, feel free to mention any travel stories you may have!  Anything to prepare me haha

Thank you all,

Chase
Like
HegAstro 11.72
...
· 
·  1 like
I took an iOptron Skytracker Pro with me in carryon baggage for the 2017 eclipse. Complete with counterweight and bar. I was asked to open my bag so they could see what it was. Surprisingly, the TSA security guard knew what the counterweight was for and I had no issues both ways! Similarly, I have taken my Fornax Lightrack II and wedge with me in carryon with no issues.
Edited ...
Like
CN_Astrophotography 4.01
...
· 
Thank you for the reply!  I am leaving my counterweight at home for this trip, and it's nice to know they didn't have issue with a 3 pound counterweight!  My 2 pound wedge should hopefully not cause an issue then!  I will update back if there is a story worth telling XD

Thank you Arun!

-Chase
Like
Poochpa 0.00
...
· 
·  1 like
I flew last month from Buffalo, NY to Tucson, AZ with a tracker mount and the WO latitude base, as well as a scope, camera, lenses and accessories and had no problems or even any questions.
Mike
Like
CCDnOES 5.21
...
· 
·  1 like
OK, this will not be helpful but is amusing. There was a story, a few years ago, that a photographer was carrying the common air puffer lens cleaner, the Giotto Rocket Air Blaster (I have two, they are great for puffing off filters in a filter wheel) and they confiscated it because "it looked like a grenade".  Never mind is is rubber and plastic.
Like
Corvik 0.90
...
· 
·  2 likes
I'm an electrical engineer for a large equipment manufacturer.  I often travel with tons of electronics, some very unconventional, and I've never had a problem.  What I have found is if I put it in checked luggage, then it will get a "random" search and inspection.  This usually isn't a problem, unless you are concerned with them repacking your luggage in a caring, secure manner.  I once opened my duffel bag to find the glass jar Yankee Candle that I had packed securely was sitting on top of my luggage and had shattered all over my clothes.  This resulted in me picking glass out of my skin and feet from all the pieces that fell onto the floor and got lost in the carpet despite all the cleaning I did.

Due to the fact that checking luggage leaves it up to an anonymous person somewhere, I tend to shove all the electronics into my carry on bag if I have anything fragile to prevent an unfortunate discovery upon reaching my destination.  I send my carry on through the security checkpoint scanner, and about half the time I have to take it out and explain what it is.  I don't like to be in a rush, so I usually get to the airport an hour or more before boarding time (except at little tiny airports that I can get through in 5 minutes).  So when they ask me what is in my carry on I calmly and politely explain what each item is and what I do for a living since I am not rushing to get to my flight, and I've never had a problem except coming back into the United States from a foreign country where they want to take the swab to my equipment.

That said, for my mobile astrophotography setup I have a Pelican case for my camera, SkyGuider Pro, and all accessories that is small enough to be carry on luggage.  Having everything packed together neatly and not in a big heap like when I am traveling to the field for work helps as they can see each item instead of a bunch of things stacked on top of each other that the scanner can't penetrate.  As much as I dislike the TSA, it's a fairly thankless job most of the time, and the employees are just people.  I always offer a smile, hello, and chat while going through the checkpoints, and I think that more than anything helps.
Edited ...
Like
CN_Astrophotography 4.01
...
· 
I just got back from the trip, and both ways I had zero issues, no checks or anything.  The security in Florida appeared to keep my bag in the scanner a bit longer than normal, but ultimately no issue.  This was nice as I have a history of getting random checks in the past haha 
Bill McLaughlin:
they confiscated it because "it looked like a grenade".

haha, that's interesting!  Glad I didn't bring mine!

Alex:
Alex

Yea, I do feel much better now that I have gone through my first flight involved trip with gear.  I do need to invest in a decent Pelican Case for this stuff!  I have one that can fit only the essentials, that I use to bring the gear up to the Boundary Waters on a canoe.


-Chase
Like
mbuto 0.00
...
· 
What about batteries? I will be flying with a Celestron PowerTank Lithium LT. I think I do need to keep that in my carry-on, but I'm hoping that won't be a problem.
Like
CN_Astrophotography 4.01
...
· 
Mike Butorac:
What about batteries? I will be flying with a Celestron PowerTank Lithium LT. I think I do need to keep that in my carry-on, but I'm hoping that won't be a problem.

Hi Mike, I did a quick google of your powertank and you should be fine with no issues.  You definately will need to keep that in your carry on, but the TSA rule is up to 100Wh, and 101-160Wh with airline approval.

Hope that helps, and safe travels!!
Like
 
Register or login to create to post a reply.