Hofstra

I just purchased a new Canon 550 digital camera and am wondering whether the airlines will permit me to carry on the accompaning AV cable, interface cable, battery charger, and extra memory card that came with this camera. I need some help from you photo buffs out there. Thanks.

J62

Yes, you can carry-on all the accessories you mention.

It is liquids that have been banned, not electronics.

I do, however, recommend against connecting one of the interface cable to a ticking, analog alarm clock, and the other end to a dense block of something like peanut butter. That might look suspicious to even a TSA agent.

Dick

Some TSA agents may ask you to turn the camera on so that they can look through the viewfinder. That has happened to me a couple of times.

As an added note, sometimes I travel with several memory cards. I treat them as I would cash....even to the point of placing unneeded cards in a hotel safe.

The camera can always be replaced...the photos can not.

Dukey

TSA agents are woefully undereducated about electronics. As Dick has mentioned, they think if you turn it on that means it is safe. They apparently cannot be bothered with what might be concealed inside that has nothing to do with "normal" operation.

I'll honestly be suprised if you are even asked to turn it on.

Hofstra

Thanks to those who responded to my message. I appreciated the advice.

Gretchen

And while the x-ray will not harm your memory card, apparently the jury may still be out on whether the wand they use might jumble the memory. So put it through the carryon, not in your pocket where the metal detector stuff is. I thought this was bunk when I first read it, but apparently there may be a slight slight chance.

J_Correa

We always travel with gobs of camera equipment. Almost every time we go through security, it gets searched by hand, but we have never had a problem not getting it through. We always have to turn the camera on (so make sure your batteries have some juice in them). Our lenses generally get looked at closely too. The only thing we can't take on is the tripod, so it goes in the checked baggage.

Andrew

I often travel with a camera bag full of lenses, etc. but oddly enough, it hasn't been hand-searched going through security in a long time, I'd say years (and I've had it on a plane probably 10 times in that time). I was asked to turn my digital SLR on many years ago when those cameras were still novelties, probably because the agent had never seen one before, but I haven't been asked to turn one on in ages. The lens is detached anyway.

AmySabato

I have a regular point and shoot digital camera. I always put it in the bin so they can see it. They have never asked me to turn it on. The more you put in the bin, that you have doubts about, the better it is and in my case, the less likely they are to ask.

It seems that everyone puts their cameras in the carry-ons. If they ask you to turn it on, you have to t hrough the whole thing of opening the carryon, taking out the camera, etc; which makes it more inconvenient for you and fellow travelers.

Any personal experience on this out there? Bin or carry on for digital cameras?

AmySabato

Small and portable electronic items do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.

Source: tsa.gov

Andrew

I had an early digital SLR back in September 2001, and after the attacks I was asked to turn it on a few times, because many screeners had never seen a "regular" camera with a digital back before; they wanted me to turn it on to prove it was a real camera (what if my battery had been dead???). But I haven't been asked even to take my camera (or any of my equipment) out of my carry-on bags for years now, let alone turn it on.

Gretchen

No, it can go through and in your carryon. I have more cables, chargers etc. and have never been asked to upack it.
.Do not put your memory cards in your pocket to go through the walk through screener. There apparently is "some" discussion about whether this can affect the memory cards. Xrays DEFINITELY do not.

stfc

My final picture from a visit to Germany last year is a picture of myself taken by the security staff at Munich airport. They wanted my to see my camera (and camcorder) switched on, but accompanying cables and chargers weren't a problem.

I look somewhat surprised, but it occurred to me afterwards that behind me is the security area, where of course photography by us mere mortals is forbidden. The security person did seem somewhat embarrassed when the flash went off and quickly handed everything back.

suze

I wouldn't put a digital camera in checked luggage myself. Whatever the risk or hassle, I'd tuck it into my carry-on. Too small and valuable to leave in a checked suitcase imo.

tenthumbs

I'm on suze's team. I would never put any type of camera in my checked luggage~it might develop legs and walk away, or it it likely to get crushed by the gorillas slinging your suitcase. Just be sure your equipment carrying case fits in the overhead bin!

suze

I consider my one checked suitcase an "open book". I don't put anything that would have any value to anyone but me in it.