Flight diverted because passenger mistakes Hasselblad for a bomb

[bluesun267]

I think this might have made the rounds last month when RFF was down, so I'm posting it now:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...2b5058-2df1-11ec-985d-3150f7e106b2_story.html

I think it's sad, actually

 

[bluesun267]

This article is better: https://www.diyphotography.net/vinta...gency-landing/

(It may have been a Rolleiflex, not a Hasselblad)

 

[BillBingham2]

Perhaps we should create a training video and sell it to the TSA?

B2 (;->

 

[bluesun267]

Great idea! But I think in this case, as the article pointed out, the photographer had to have already gone through security without problems. It was when he decided to get the camera out in flight and play with it...adjusting the lens, or aperture, or shutter...which the other passenger took for setting a timer on a bomb 🙁

 

[xayraa33]

TSA crew dumb enough not to know what a mechanical film camera is but even more lazy and stupid not to use their ubiquitous "SAIL" phone to google what a Rollei TLR or Hassy 500 CM or a Mamiya C330 or Leica M3 or Nikon F or Olympus OM 1 is.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

TSA crew dumb enough not to know what a mechanical film camera is but even more lazy and stupid not to use their ubiquitous "SAIL" phone to google what a Rollei TLR or Hassy 500 CM or a Mamiya C330 or Leica M3 or Nikon F or Olympus OM 1 is.

Until recently, I worked behind security in an airport, and so had frequent contact with the TSA crew. Generally decent folks, though often not the brightest bulbs. The problem was that they had been indoctrinated to believe that they were the only thing standing between The American Way of Life and the Apocalypse. I once had to unwrap a granola bar that was in my lunch. Meanwhile, I personally new of routes into the airport, beyond security, that were easily accessible to anyone on the street. Even someone with a Hasselbomb.

 

[KoNickon]

Did you let the authorities know about those unsecured routes? Might be a good idea. Too many resourceful, dangerous people out there.

 

[zuiko85]

Unless you can afford first class, flying, for a lot of reasons, is just a chore these days. I’m a big guy that doesn’t fit in the tiny seats and when sitting the distance from my backside to my knees is 4 inches longer than typical coach seating. After that, with nutty security, air rage, staffing delays, etc, I’d just rather drive. And no, at my age not likely to ever cross an ocean.

 

[jsrockit]

Even someone with a Hasselbomb.

Nice... ...

 

[markjwyatt]

... Even someone with a Hasselbomb.

Sounds as bad as a Rolleiflexplosion!

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Did you let the authorities know about those unsecured routes? Might be a good idea. Too many resourceful, dangerous people out there.

I absolutely did, on three occasions. Nothing was done to address the issue.

 

[Richard G]

James Bond had a tape recorder in his Rolleiflex on a boat in Venice in 'From Russia with Love.' Concerns about Rolleiflexes amongst TSA film buffs may go back more than 50 years.

 

[valdas]

James Bond had a tape recorder in his Rolleiflex on a boat in Venice in 'From Russia with Love.' Concerns about Rolleiflexes amongst TSA film buffs may go back more than 50 years.

if agent 007 sets the standards then no way I am wearing my Omega on those flights…

 

[Pál_K]

Waiting for someone to take a Kodak Medalist onboard a commercial flight…

 

[Richard G]

Tele-Rolleiflex, with the pistol grip?

Stove-pipe finder over a Hasselblad might raise concern about wanting to drop item suspected. (Don't want to use the b word here.) That would scare them as the door would need to be opened.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Waiting for someone to take a Kodak Medalist onboard a commercial flight…

Or the Zenit photo-sniper. Big and badass, on a gunstock, with Evil Empire juju. Watch the TSA agents faint...

 

[waileong]

Until recently, I worked behind security in an airport, and so had frequent contact with the TSA crew. Generally decent folks, though often not the brightest bulbs. The problem was that they had been indoctrinated to believe that they were the only thing standing between The American Way of Life and the Apocalypse. I once had to unwrap a granola bar that was in my lunch. Meanwhile, I personally new of routes into the airport, beyond security, that were easily accessible to anyone on the street. Even someone with a Hasselbomb.

Doubt TSA guys believe "they were the only thing standing between The American Way of Life and the Apocalypse". Most either see it as a min-wage job or as a power-trip for their ego.