What are the current security rules about taking PowerPoint type projectors in carry-on luggage? Do these fall under the same rules as laptops and have to be dug out of the bag, or can they be properly zapped to TSA satisfaction while still in a bag? My immediate concern is with domestic flights.

anything is possible when it comes to TSA because of how often rules are made up, changed, invalidated, etc. So anything is possible. Personally i would keep it in a case so as to lessen the potential for damage at the hands of the clerks.

If they mistake it for some sort of camera, expect them to put their grubby fingers on the lens.

I don't know what it is about lenses and the TSA, but one of the many reasons I choose not to fly is because I don't want another undertrained and unprofessional high-school drop-out touching my glass - among other things.

I travel with a small projector most of the time. I have about a 50% hit rate of TSA re-scanning my bag when I leave it in. On a couple occasions the smurf "reminded" me that computers have to be removed. They don't like it when I point out that this is not a computer.

Shouldn't have a problem. I've flown with my InFocus projector a few times, and have not heard a peep from the clerks.. I suppose you may have to remove it from the carrying case, and then may want to swab it.

Everyday I carry a small Optoma LCD projector in its padded case, about 6 x 8 inches. It's been easiest to put it, still in case, into a TSA bin alongside my official baggie.....that seems to avoid an extra check by TSA about 95% of the time.

Based on advice from here, I keep all the cords for the projector in my suitcase, so the projector itself does not look to have wires sticking out when seen on TSA's finely detailed screens viewed by their highly trained operatives.

Up until the past few months I almost always had my digital projector in my carry on bag. I never took it out. I'd say 1 in 7 to 10 trips through security I was chastised for not removing it. It took less time to have them take it out for me every once in a while then for me to take it out every time.

This is probably the best strategy. I don't particularly mind taking it out other than the PITA issue and the time it takes to unpack and repack. My first time, I asked whether they wanted out, and of course they said yes, any "large electronic" devices. Next time, I will pack it, with cords elsewhere, and see how it goes.

You could always put a cheap UV filter on the front of the lens.

One moron in ATL spent several minutes trying to unscrew a circular polarizer...

A better question, in my opinion, is "Where can I read the rules TSA staff require me to follow in order to pass their checkpoint?" If people answer that question for you, you'll be able to find the answer to your question about carry-on restrictions and to be confident that the answer is correct.

Do you really trust the advice of mostly-anonymous people on an Internet discussion forum when it comes to informing yourself about the rules you must follow in order to avoid restriction of your movement by your government?

I would be ROFLMAO if i saw that happening, gotta love error code ID10T!

TSA will publish its rules when they realize congress is growing a set and has the hatchet in hand to kill off this pimple on the butt humanity.

Because the Rules seem to change by the whim of each TSO encountered.
Whereas I believe the poster was asking frequent flyers' experience, and what other have encountered in real life.

You answered a question I did not ask. What did you mean to say happened because the rules seem to change at the whim of individual airport security guards?

Perhaps I'm not reading your question correctly or I'm not through enough in my answer so if you are asking where is' TSA's written word on the projector-
Well the TSA website doesn't cover that
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1248.shtm
is the closest, though technically a video projector isn't photographic equipment or film.

But if one digs around on their list here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1169.shtm
not of those choices cover a video projector either.

So I won't fault the original poster for asking here, on the frequent flyers forum in the hopes that someone else has gone before, done this and is willing to share their experience.

There have been quite a few instances where different travelers through the checkpoint experience different treatments on the same item, regardless of TSA's published information, on their website. Some are waved through without a blink with their possession a few have to part with the same item. And the clause of 'at the TSO's discretion' seems to just be at their whim.

There were travelers whom presented a printout of the website stating a certain item was approved to carry on but told by the TSO 'the website is outdated.' There were quotes of another instances where the TSO, probably not the same person as the first previous example, who said 'not today it isn't [approved]' regarding a different item.

This thread is one example. That woman could not bring her breast milk through, but other women have been able to.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...reastmilk.html
citing
http://www.anktangle.com/2011/01/tsa...reastmilk.html

(I don't think I'm using the search function in the most efficient manner, I can't find the thread/post of the other incidents and the second quote, my search comes up with multiple partial results but not the ones I'm looking for. But I know I've read it on here, this forum.)

I, myself, have encounter something as simple as the issue of the Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag. I had one, but when I got to the checkpoint, the TSO scolded me for not taking out the laptop of the bag. Regardless it was approved. But on my return trip, with the same bag, I was allowed to leave the laptop computer in the bag as it went through the x-ray machine. Other people have gone through just fine with the same bag. This is just my personal example of how 'our mileage may vary with the TSO.'