Tougher Airport Screening Procedures for Photography Equipment

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Airport security policy in the US is now focusing on passengers’ cameras. In an effort to improve the security of airline passengers and airports, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is implementing new, stronger screening procedures for carry-on items that require travelers to place all electronics larger than a cell phone in bins for X-ray screening in standard lanes. These changes could affect photographers traveling with equipment on board by potentially requiring each camera body, some hard drives, speedlights, tablets, audio recorders, and other common electronic equipment to be removed from cases and placed separately in bins for X-ray, slowing the screening process, evaluates fstoppers.com.

DHS Secretary John Kelly announced in late June new security requirements for nearly 280 airports in more than 100 countries due to increased threats to aviation security. The new screening procedures in standard lanes are already in place at 10 U.S. airports with plans to expand to all airports during the weeks and months ahead.

There are no changes to what travelers can bring through the checkpoint; food and liquid items that comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule, electronics, and books continue to be allowed in carry-on bags.

TSA officers will begin to ask travelers to remove electronics larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similar to how laptops have been screened for years. This step is intended to help TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image.

Fortunately the stronger security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA PreCheck who are using dedicated lanes now available at 200 airports nationwide. Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck do not need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, electronics, light outerwear, or belts. The program allows TSA to focus resources on passengers who may pose a high risk to security while providing expedited screening to those travelers who have been identified as low-risk, trusted travelers.