Digital M and Airport Security

[maxpower]

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So since I got my (silver) M11 I have made a couple of trips and flew again yesterday and noticed that every single time at security they want to closer inspect my carry on bag, and usually go straight for the camera. Before I got into the M system I didn't have this problem so I was wondering if anyone here experiences the same or do I just have more bad luck these days? It's always been fine once they check it so it's not really a problem, more a small nuisance having to wait for it every time.

(Don't think this is M11 specific but haven't flown with other M bodies yet and I don't think we have a generic M category on the forum, that's why it ended up in the M11 one)

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[Chris W]

I think it's just the luck of the draw. I can't think why an M would be any different to a Sony or Nikon to a security person.

[Ouroboros]

I've flown with digital cameras to jobs for years, Fuji, Nikon, and latterly Leica M for personal use.

 They have frequently attracted attention by security staff and having to wait whilst they are swabbed is more usual than not.  Look upon it as well-trained people doing their job properly for your benefit. 

It is a part of air travel and definitely not confined to Leica M cameras!

 

 

Edited September 13, 2023 by Ouroboros

[Hans-Dieter Gülicher]

No problems with my M 10 up to now in Germany, Canada, Alaska.

[andybarton]

The only time I have had any camera checked over by airport security was my M7, which was thoroughly looked at.

At Frankfurt.

You would think that security there had never seen a Leica before, judging by the way it was examined.

 

[Chris W]

I nearly had a pair of drum sticks confiscated at LAX once. Barely trained and underpaid security just want to see people with everyday items they know and are used to. Once you present them with something out of the box they have to seek help from a superior to make a decision.

[tedd]

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I travel for work. Minimum two flights per month, but it was nine last month. Internationally a minimum of twice per year (mostly just to NZ, but Germany is coming up soon too). Back in my Olympus days the bag would be ignored. Since going to Leica I get a bag check nine times out of ten - you're not imagining it. I even had one x-ray person tell me that Leica always trigger an extra inspection because of how "dense" they are. I just accept that I'm going to get checked every time now. 

[DrM]

The M is compact and has dense metal parts. I usually have to unpack it. But an alternative explanation is that airport security has a lot of Leica M fans on their payroll...

Marc

[maxpower]

Thanks for sharing your stories everyone, it's interesting to see that even amongst you all there are such diverse experiences with this.

Now I have gotten kind of curious to see what it looks like on an X-ray though! 

But back to my travels for now

[NigelG]

I’ve frequently had my cabin bag hand checked after scanning when I’ve got a pair of Ms in it.

I think the density/brass construction is “off” for the machine operators?

[jaapv]

Airport security. We recently had a little plastic container with butter impounded because it contained “a suspect substance “. 

[Warton]

I have travelled with Nikon, Fuji, Hasselblad, and of course Leica. Never have I been treated differently.

Anecdotally specifics might happen but never related to a specific camera/brand/model.

[Bobonli]

Every time I fly with a camera it gets swabbed. I once had a 3 mm Allen key used to remove an Arca Swiss plate confiscated. They said it was tool that could be used for bad purposes. They offered to let me mail it home for $10. I told them to throw it out. 

[Warton]

52 minutes ago, Bobonli said:

Every time I fly with a camera it gets swabbed. I once had a 3 mm Allen key used to remove an Arca Swiss plate confiscated. They said it was tool that could be used for bad purposes. They offered to let me mail it home for $10. I told them to throw it out. 

I had it worse. I had a 22lr bullet accidentally left over in my backpack. The airport police came and went over some documentation because they had to confiscate my property. They also offered $10 mail option which I turned it down obviously. So my bullet was confiscated.

[Jewl]

I recently flew to Bali via Dubai and the camera needed to go through several security check-ins. Haven't experienced any detailed inspections with the M11. I even haven't unpacked it from my camera cube. Same last year to Greece. 

And if I remember correctly, also no outstanding experiences with my M10P back in the days. 

[grahamc]

Won't some of you will never learn?!  ... tape that red dot !    

We don't have time to let everyone have a fondle   

[Robert Blanko]

I didn’t have a problem so far. At Munich airport they sometimes even tell you „ah, you have a Leica“ when viewing the screen of the x-ray machine… They are able to distinguish the Leica from other cameras having less metal. The security staff however could not tell me the particular Leica model.

[FDS]

On 9/13/2023 at 9:32 AM, andybarton said:

The only time I have had any camera checked over by airport security was my M7, which was thoroughly looked at.

At Frankfurt.

You would think that security there had never seen a Leica before, judging by the way it was examined.

 

I dread flying out of Frankfurt. All too often, over the years, very long queues in both passports and security exacerbated by very rude staff. One must allow about three hours before flight time.  And my Leicas are usually fussed over.  When I have the choice, Dusseldorf Airport is far better. With improved train service between Frankfurt and Paris, I am thinking that route plus Eurostar to London might be viable, too.   

Edited September 14, 2023 by FDS

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[R4p70r]

I always get lucky that every time I get an additional separate detailed inspection of my backpack with my camera equipment (Camera brand doesn't matter: Canon, Fuji, Mamiya, Sony, Leica). No matter which airport. 

One time one of our fellow coworkers got singled out and the security took a look in his camera backpack, was disappointed and said out loud that it didn't contain a Leica camera only Nikon gear. I think this guy was quite biased. 🤣

Edited September 14, 2023 by R4p70r

[wizard]

Am 13.9.2023 um 10:49 schrieb tedd:

Leica always trigger an extra inspection because of how "dense" they are.

Actually, that's something I have been told at airport security inspections several times, too, when carrying one of my Leica cameras. It seems that with their regular settings they can't "see through" a Leica camera body, which is why it will be hand inspected. I did refuse to open a Leica M film body at one point, and was requested to take a picture so that they could see it works.