First major airplane trip

[dawnwithacamera]

Hi All:

I know this has probably been posted before but I will be making my first major airplane trip in 3 weeks to see my son off before he is deployed to Afghanistan. I will be going thru Chicago O'Hare, and GW Bush International in Houston and on to El Paso. Will I be allowed to take photos inside the airport? I am just a country girl at heart and have never been inside a major airport terminal. What about inside the plane? I plan on taking my biggest purse to carry my Rebel XSi with my kit lens attached and my 70-300mm long lens wrapped in a scarf. I am a little worried about the scanning at security as I have an artificial shoulder joint and staples in my upper arm bone from a fall 3 years ago, I am dreading having to go thru the scanners and setting off the alarms. Any advance advise you travelers can give me on those airports would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Dawn

[UlpilotSC]

I went through security in november with my dslr in a lowepro adventura 140, it's about the size of a small purse. I had my headphones and a few other things in it. No problems.
As far as taking pictures, a few shots here and there won't raise much alarm, but if you're shooting constantly like you're in the magic kingdom on your first trip to Disney world, they might begin to think you're planning something.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Originally Posted by dawnwithacamera

Hi All:

I know this has probably been posted before but I will be making my first major airplane trip in 3 weeks to see my son off before he is deployed to Afghanistan. I will be going thru Chicago O'Hare, and GW Bush International in Houston and on to El Paso. Will I be allowed to take photos inside the airport? I am just a country girl at heart and have never been inside a major airport terminal. What about inside the plane? I plan on taking my biggest purse to carry my Rebel XSi with my kit lens attached and my 70-300mm long lens wrapped in a scarf. I am a little worried about the scanning at security as I have an artificial shoulder joint and staples in my upper arm bone from a fall 3 years ago, I am dreading having to go thru the scanners and setting off the alarms. Any advance advise you travelers can give me on those airports would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Dawn

You will only go through security once at O'Hare. As long as you don't leave the secure area when you transfer planes in Houston you don't have to go through security again. Depending on when you fly, the wait at security could be long so plan ahead and arrive early. Some go by the two hour rule, however I usually find that 1 hour is sufficient if you are being dropped off at the curb. If you have to park and shuttle in, I'd plan on 2 hours just to be safe and not stressed about time.

O'Hare is a big airport so make sure you get to your gate and check for any updates (gate changes, delays, etc.) before you start wandering around taking photos.

You absolutely can take pictures inside the airport. If you are snapping pictures of people... they might not like it so use good judgment and don't be intrusive. I take photos of planes and the ground crew all the time.

Hope you have a nice time on your trip and best wishes to your son for a safe deployment in Afghanistan; please pass on my thanks for his service

[doubleg]

First and foremost be prepared to go through security. Arrive at the airport with ample time to spare if you are concerned about setting off alarms. As far as what sets off the scanners, it depends on the airport and the way they calibrate their scanners, some airports deploy the body scanners others scan or a combo of both.. You may or may not set off any alarms, just be prepared to be pulled aside in case you do, and let them know you are "bionic". Also check the TSA web site for packing your carry on bags. TSA | Transportation Security Administration | U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Your camera equipment is fine, (unless you are carrying film) but you will have to remove your lap top, liquids, and shoes and run them through the scan. If you are carrying on a bag, you'll have to make sure your liquids are in 3oz travel size bottles in a 1 quart size plastic bag. Also, once on board, make sure you are able to lift it in to the overhead bin and it will fit, otherwise you'll have to check it planeside.

As far as taking photos in the airport, it shouldn't be a problem, general rules of privacy prevail. I would not even think of taking photos inside an airplane. Frankly I don't know what you would want to take a photo of. As a frequent business flier, I would not appreciate someone taking photos (esp with a flash going off) inside the tight quarters of an airplane. For you this is an adventure, for most of us it's a chore, common courtesy prevails.

Best of luck to your son as he deploys, and his tour of duty is a safe one.

[ishootRAW]

Only thing to add is that flight attendants get mad if you take pics of inside the plane, but are perfectly OK with tanking pics through the windows. IF you are quick you can get nice shots just as you go through the top of the cloud cover.

Best of luck and thanx to your son as well.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Originally Posted by ishootRAW

Only thing to add is that flight attendants get mad if you take pics of inside the plane, but are perfectly OK with tanking pics through the windows.

Flight attendants should not get mad over picture taking in the plane unless it is being done during take off or landing when ALL electronics are to be turned off. Other than that I've never ever seen a FA get mad over pictures being taken..... and I fly a lot in the Continental US.