Flying with gear

[optogamut]

Since I have a trip coming up I'm interested in what people think about some of the restrictions being introduced, especially having to check in all your electronic/photographic gear?
How will you pack it? Will you still bother? Etc.

[wendellt]

i know in domestic flights they are less strict
i have brought my pelicon 1510 case on carry on luggage
but tit's really in the hands of the person you check in with some do have a problem with heavy cases lik thatd
and hence you have to check it in

usually i fly with my mini trekker and camera and as much of my lenses i can fit in the bag and put all the other junk in the pelican case and check that in

for international flights they are very strict max 12kg or so epends on airline

in cases lie this i just bring the camera and 1 lens and all other junk wraped up in my PJ's in my suitcase

no tripods alowed as carry on luggage can be used as a weapon

[optogamut]

It's just that with the happenings in the UK this last week I've seen some reports of all they let you carry on is your wallet and passport?

[Gordon]

I dont know if they have changed rules in Oz yet, but if they are going to refuse to let you bring a camera as carry on luggage, its going to be a bit hard to get it in your luggage after you have checked in- best to enquire what the airlines policy is beforehand.

In the past I have always carried my camera gear as carry-on in my small day pack - there are usually some spectacular cloudscapes on flights across the pacific.

If you are going to put your camera gear in your checked in luggage, be *really* sure that its right in the middle and well padded- those luggage handling guys have bag throwing competitions!

Gordon

[michael_]

atm it looks like its simply carry on items which contain liquids, the question that will be raised now is duty free items like alcohol and perfumes what will be the case with that now, i even heard something today from a friend who works for a duty free shop at sydney airport that her manages has been in crisis meetings all day with the owners and partners , whilst i agree with some of the rules i think all it takes is a little more security.

[gstark]

I am certainly not prepared to risk several thousand dollars worth of laptop plus SLR plus lenses to the dickheads that masquerade as baggage handlers, which may place me in a quandry as to what to do nexttime I travel.

I'm quite sure that the airlines are not prepared to make the transport of those goods, in the cargo hold, risk free for me, and even if they do, what are the chances of a quick settlement when (not if, but when) they lose this stuff.

They will certainly need to improve their service by at least an order of magnitude.

[Suri]

This is indeed an issue for ALL Photographers gstark.

Without mouthing off too much at the baggage handling professionals, they have to deal with quantity NOT quality, and we can hardly expect them to respect our fragile goods as we would personally.

The whole issue of camera bags is in my opinion the biggest hassle of owning and using DSLR equipment. The difference between good travel pictures and REALLY nice images is the amount of gear your prepared to lug around, up and into those exotic locations. If the camera is not EASILY accessible - I have found that many worthy images remain as pleasant memories only.

One good camera body and 3(No) heavy F2.8 lenses distributed in a proprietry belt system with a long snout bag, and side pockets. I looked and felt seriously overweight, not to mention the hassle of not bumping people over and having to heave the whole kit up and into the overhead lockers onboard the plane.

But at least I knew the gear was safe.
Just ManFreddie was entrusted to the baggage boys.

Would love to know if anyone can come up with a better solution.

[gstark]

This is indeed an issue for ALL Photographers gstark.

Without mouthing off too much at the baggage handling professionals, they have to deal with quantity NOT quality, and we can hardly expect them to respect our fragile goods as we would personally.

My concern doesn't even get to (as yet) the fragility of the gear in question.

I'm more concerned at the total absence of professionalism of these people, who will think nothing of taking something from your luggage and using it for their own amusement.

Give that photographic equipment is small, light, portable and high value, it's all too easy to see this sort of stuff walking off into the sunset, and I do not believe that the airlines take this matter anywhere near seriously enough.

Certainly not to my satisfaction.

The bottom line will be that if - when - I ask them to cover my losses in terms of IP and hardware, should something untoward happen, we're probably looking at somewhere around $100K all told (laptop, cameras, plus IP), and what sort of answer do you think I'm going to get from them in those sorts of terms?

[sco74]

The other thing to remember is checked baggage gets hit with much stronger x-rays than cabin baggage.

I'm going to the UK shortly - I hope restrictions have eased by the time I fly back. If not hopefully I can carry my CF cards in my wallet - don't want to risk 6 weeks worth of photos to risk being lost by baggage handlers.

[gstark]

X-Rays are a problem for film.

While I don't know of too many DSLRs that use film, this is an excellent point for those who are film shooters.

[moz]

The bottom line will be that if - when - I ask them to cover my losses in terms of IP and hardware... somewhere around $100K all told

They will cheerfully hand over the $500 limit of their liability on domestic flights and apologise for losing or destroying your gear. read the T&C.

[Steffen]

They will cheerfully hand over the $500 limit of their liability on domestic flights and apologise for losing or destroying your gear. read the T&C.

But that's the point. If they're only prepared to take responsibility for $500 worth of luggage they can't ask you to check in more than $500 worth.

Cheers
Steffen.

[optogamut]

The other thing to remember is checked baggage gets hit with much stronger x-rays than cabin baggage.

That's another thing, I'd like to shoot a bit of B&W, but I heard that nothing is being allowed to avoid the x-ray no matter what.

So might have to get in developed somewhere?? I assume airmail gets x-ray'd?

[cyanide]

They will cheerfully hand over the $500 limit of their liability on domestic flights and apologise for losing or destroying your gear. read the T&C.

But that's the point. If they're only prepared to take responsibility for $500 worth of luggage they can't ask you to check in more than $500 worth.

I think the subtle difference is that we can't check in items worth more than $500 and have them covered fully. It's still our choice to fly...

[moz]

...they can't ask you to check in more than $500 worth.

If you want insurance it's up to you to buy it - same as if you're delayed they don't pay your lost wages etc. I believe the $500 or whatever limit is intended to cover your excess and/or uninurable items (insurance companies don't really do the "half a tube of toothpaste" stuff very well).

[gstark]

They will cheerfully hand over the $500 limit of their liability on domestic flights and apologise for losing or destroying your gear. read the T&C.

But that's the point. If they're only prepared to take responsibility for $500 worth of luggage they can't ask you to check in more than $500 worth.

I think the subtle difference is that we can't check in items worth more than $500 and have them covered fully. It's still our choice to fly...

Well, no, it's hardly a choice these days. How else would you suggest getting to, say, the US?

I can drive to Melbourne from Sydney, and it doesn't take that much longer because of all of the restraints; it's arguably quicker to drive to Canberra from Sydney than it is to fly, but I have little choice but to fly if I want to go anywhere outside of Oz.

The airlines need to seriously review their policies regarding how they value your luggage. This is no longer something they can walk away from.

[drifter]

I think they are should make securable over head lockers so people can bring there valuables on board , put them in the locker then cabin staff can secure them before takeoff and thats how they stay till they land . Doing this they'll probably have to upscale screening for onboards but people who lug around laptops and ipods etc. aren't happy as has been alluded to here already with whats coming our way soon .

[Ivanerrol]

Our ever reliable friend - Ken Rockwell has just posted an article on this matter.

He suggests that valueable items may need to be couriered ahead of personel travel. This maybe the only means of getting proper insurance.

Getting the airlines to change their policy on insuring checked items for more than the nominal $ 500.00 limit probably means a change in the Dinosaur IATA regulations. Its never gonna happen.

Anybody want a roll of Velvia, one of a box of 24 that I bought back from Singapore in my checked luggage? Perfect for pictures of snowstorms.

[optogamut]

Our ever reliable friend - Ken Rockwell has just posted an article on this matter.

He also said:

Get your own pilot's license and plane. My mom's been flying for over 50 years, and so can you.

Hmmm.

Just had to add this one:

... America's natural resources located in other countries...

Explains a lot.

[gstark]

Get your own pilot's license and plane. My mom's been flying for over 50 years, and so can you.

Hmmm.

Yeah, well ...

If your health isn't so good, then perhaps this is not a possibility.

It's also easier if you're already in the USA (or EU) but I really an not that enamoured over the prospect of flying from SYD to LAX in a 152.

[Sheila Smart]

I have travelled widely over the past thirty years and I am still constantly amazed at the size of cabin baggage that airlines, particularly Qantas, allow to be placed in the overhead lockers. Many years ago, on a Qantas flight to the UK, a large bottle of scotch narrowly missed me when the overhead locker was opened and it fell out. Luckily the guy who opened the locker stopped it colliding with my head I am travelling to the Gold Coast at the end of the month and will check with Virgin regarding the rules on camera bags. I am loath to check it in as I am sure I will never see it again. Twelve thousand dollars worth of gear would be a great temptation to folk who think nothing of opening cases (and parading with camel heads across the tarmac)

Cheers
Sheila

[Ivanerrol]

Was I being facetious? - Our ever reliable friend - Ken Rockwell has just posted an article on this matter.

In the planes I travelled in thirty years ago, there were no overhead lockers. Your carry on gear had to go under the seat in front of you. It was only with the advent of the Jumbos,DC10's and Tristars that lockers became common.
Its no fun being on a 20 hour plus flight where you can't stretch your feet out.

In the old 707's and VC10's the overhead storage rack was one long carrier rack. It was only meant to carry hats and coats etc. If you had put a heavy object in it, that object would end up at the other end of the plane depending on a hard landing or quick take off. The Hosties would remove any heavy objects before take off and the offending passenger would get a polite tsk tsk.

[ABG]

Qantas have just confirmed that there are no restrictions in place for carry on luggage on domestic flights, which pleases me as I'm flying to Brissie later this week. Doesn't help those on overseas flights though...

[optogamut]

I'm off to the US in few weeks, so keeping an eye on Air NZ for announcements.

Still interested in hearing any packing suggestions if it does come to checking in the gear.Wrap 'em up in undies and stick them in lunch boxes? Don't really have the cash to buy pelican cases or anything...

[gstark]

Danny,

Yes, plus put bootstrap passwords on the lappy, and backup everything to DVD, which you can take with you.

I'm seeing that they're permitting you to take USB sticks, but not MP3 players. What about a USB stick that's also an MP3 player?

[Gordon]

Still interested in hearing any packing suggestions if it does come to checking in the gear....

I have been known to put small lenses such as a 55 microNikkor or 28mm f/2.8 inside my shoes for protection because they don't have their own carry cases. I still pack them inside clothes for maximum cushioning from baggage handlers though.

Gordon

[Nnnnsic]

The 55 should be able to withstand any damage a baggage handler might try to inflict, anyway.

[losfp]

Looks like the UK are easing their alert anyway, according to http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bab ... 01800.html

Maybe in the future we will jsut have lockable overhead bins, which I can deal with.

[Glen]

Just for reference, I spoke to Jetstar as I am flying to Geelong for a football match this weekend, they have no restrictions at all and cameras are welcome in hand luggage.

[losfp]

Just for reference, I spoke to Jetstar as I am flying to Geelong for a football match this weekend, they have no restrictions at all and cameras are welcome in hand luggage.

Hah! You too huh?

Not sure if I will bring the camera.... I'll be travelling light though, plus I know what the weather mini-system over Kardinia Park is like.....

dammit. I guess I will bring my D70s anyway huh?

[Glen]

Yes, I know what you mean about Kardinia Park I will be light as well but will be overnighting at a mates place so the camera will actually be to get a few shots of his family, so probably only a body, kit and 85 1.8. Kardinia Park will be about beers and footy, will need to take much gear otherwise




Edited because I can't speak and type at the same time

[losfp]

Yeah, I'll probably contact KP to see what their camera policy is. Would be good to keep giving my 80-200 a workout. In any case, I will probably see if I can get some more photos of my nephew, the little bugger grows and grows each time we see him, so it is of course vitally important that I take more photos of him, just in case his parents, uncle or grand parents somehow miss a photo themselves

I'm sure I won't have any problems taking the gear on the plane either (just to keep my post even vaguely on-topic...)

[zafra52]

Thank guys for your insight into this travelling business. I was wondering what is going to happen when I travel to see my family in Spain next December. You sent shivers up my spine. In previous flights with British Airways my suitcase always got lost and I arrived there one or two weeks ahead of my luggage having to borrow something to wear in the meantime; while the return flights were much the same. The flight to Spain takes me at best 28 to 34 hours each way and I cannot see my photographic equipment travelling in a suitcase and reaching its destination without any damage.
Last year when I travelled in China I had three suitcases destroyed by the luggage handlers. I was the joke among my fellow travellers and they even had bets on how long it took the travel guide and me to get the suitcase replaced.
As some of you already said, the cargo is not a suitable place to have expensive and delicate photographic equipment. I guess I will have to wait and ask before departure…

[Glen]

Zafra, the rules have already relaxed since last week. On Friday my next door neighbour was coming back from Heathrow, only passport and wallet, not even a usb drive was allowed (he saw a couple refused), now you can take a notebook and phone in a small case.

[zafra52]

Thank you Glen. Let's hope there are not more lunatics in the meantime trying to make life difficult for us all.