As I sit and write this post a full 12 hours after its occurrence… my hands shake and tremble from the air conditioner in the newly renovated hotel room.

One of my worst fears was realized yesterday.  It is a fear shared by all photographers… amateur or pro.

My digital DSLR was taken from me.

Taken.

My digital DSLR was taken from me by Transportation Safety Agents at JFK International Airport yesterday.

It was taken from me and OUT OF MY SIGHT because it had to go through an X-Ray machine.

Bullshit TSA.

You took my camera.  MY CAMERA.

Here’s what took place… minute by terrifying minute.

We got to the security check point.  I was handed some plastic bins from a TSA Agent, an elderly gentleman who smiled with a nod when he gave them to me.  I removed my laptop from it’s bag and placed it in it’s own bin.  Then I took off my boots and emptied my pockets into another bin.

Then, as I was getting ready to walk through the metal detector, the TSA Agent stopped me!  He stopped me and told me that the camera bag on my back that I had forgotten all about because of my absent mindedness had to go through the X-ray machine!  What was worse, he did so nicely with a slight grandpa like grin!  He was obviously mocking me by being nice!!!

I felt I had NO choice in the matter, even though it is clearly posted that this is what happens and I’ve done it a dozen times before.

So I did it. 

I sent my camera bag through the metal detector where I lost sight of it!  Once I walked through, clearing the metal detector, I waited for my camera bag.  It came out… but the harm was done.  I had lost sight of it!  I had lost sight of it in a transparent walled area where the only opaque thing was the X-Ray machine!!!  Who cares about the harmful rays coming out and frying us?  We need to see in there!!!

I was feeling woozy, possibly from not eating.  I gathered all my belongings at the other end, ran to the bathroom, crumbled to the floor, and popped my emergency M&M that I keep in my pocket for just such an occasion.  Then the whole flight I had to think of how I was going to tell my story.

More importantly… how was I going to get PAID for my harrowing tale of kindness, politeness, and obvious security measures for the well being of both travelers and workers by the TSA!!!

I’m not sure how to end this post. I don’t know what my story will lead to but I needed to do more than file a compliment or write a letter.  My hope is that this post of mine will be read by other photographers, passed along to journalists traveling with their cameras… most of all, my hope is that NO PHOTOGRAPHER HAS THEIR CAMERA TAKEN FROM THEM.

TSA TOOK MY CAMERA IN JFK AIRPORT NYC.

THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ANY PHOTOGRAPHER. EVER.

/sarcastic parodic story*

So yeah… we made it to Orlando.  Hertz rental really needs to get their act together, but other than that… it was a good travel experience.  We had dinner with some very esteemed Floridians, I got to assist at an undisclosed location doing discussable things, and I made out with LeSombre.

All in all… a great start to what promises to be a fantastic trip.

* The inspirational bullshit story can be found here and also read How The TSA Responded To Reputation Damaging Criticism that also happened to be a complete fabrication… unless your at #avitaween because then we have better things to do