Posted by John Swift on October 26, 2006 at 4:48 AM
I have planned a couple of weekend trips to the Cairngorms in the New Year so am looking now at getting there from Leicester.
Having made a number of photography trips to Alaska and Montana in the last few years I was amazed to find that it's actually easier than flying to Scotland!
The problem is I can check in only one bag. Now as I want to take a Sigma 300-800 this involves a Peli 1620 case. Just those two combined are approx 16Kg busting the 15Kg allowance on Eastern airlines let alone anything else I might want to take. Cabin luggage is a mere 12 x 16 x 8 inches or a bag of sandwiches essentially.
BA is still one bag but 32Kgs plus a plane change en route. There's no way I can fit my cameras, tripod, lenses and outdoor weather gear in the Peli so I'm stuffed as far as air travel goes.
I'm even considering buying a new Nikkor 500 f4 plus the Peli 1510 and stuffing everything in a big ex army holdall case to meet the air restrictions.
Travel by car looks to be about 8 hours. Not sure what road conditions I might meet in January in the Cairngorms so is this a bit risky?
Could I send stuff ahead? Anyone have experience shipping their gear around the UK?
Opinions and help would be gratefully received.
Regards
John S
Posted by John Chapman on October 26, 2006 at 5:13 AM
Hi John
America is now the only country which allows two bags. If it was me I would definitely use a car. As far as the weather goes we are now getting better weather than England and you would have to be very unlucky to get stuck in the snow. The last few years some of the Ski centres are just about going out of business. Hope this helps.
John
Aberdeen
I regularly make the trip north of the border during winter looking for ice to climb. So far I haven't found travelling by car much of a problem, with only one weekend out of ~30 at risk by excessive snow.
You never know, I might bump into you up there this year!
All the best.
"Let the Train take the strain." to use an old 1970's-80's slogan . Could you not book at train ticket for a similar cost to flying? There used to be overnight sleeper services north of the border...but I guess they went out with Beeching's accursed and extremely short-sighted railway "reforms" in the 60's .
Probably worth checking prices out, then go by car anyway !
Hi I think Ryanair allow's you to take a big as bag as you like as hand luggage on their budget flights but charge you for luggage that has to go in the hold do not know if they fly to Scotland.
Phillip.
Posted by John Swift on October 26, 2006 at 7:00 PM
Thanks for the responses chaps - I'm afraid I'd have to discount the train. I just don't want the hassle with the gear and the worry of what might've been happening on the seat before I got there. There's some funny people on the trains nowadays I'm told.
I'll be making my way by car.
Regards
John S
Posted by Mike Smith on October 27, 2006 at 3:45 AM
Phil
Ryanair are not quite that generous!, there is a weight and size limit on all their bags, 15Kg for the hold and 10Kg for the cabin. They do prefer people to use the mini cases in the cabin as it reduces their baggage handling costs.
Not sure that the plastic overhead lockers in modern airliners would support or take a Sigmonster!
Discussion
8 repliesHaving made a number of photography trips to Alaska and Montana in the last few years I was amazed to find that it's actually easier than flying to Scotland!
The problem is I can check in only one bag. Now as I want to take a Sigma 300-800 this involves a Peli 1620 case. Just those two combined are approx 16Kg busting the 15Kg allowance on Eastern airlines let alone anything else I might want to take. Cabin luggage is a mere 12 x 16 x 8 inches or a bag of sandwiches essentially.
BA is still one bag but 32Kgs plus a plane change en route. There's no way I can fit my cameras, tripod, lenses and outdoor weather gear in the Peli so I'm stuffed as far as air travel goes.
I'm even considering buying a new Nikkor 500 f4 plus the Peli 1510 and stuffing everything in a big ex army holdall case to meet the air restrictions.
Travel by car looks to be about 8 hours. Not sure what road conditions I might meet in January in the Cairngorms so is this a bit risky?
Could I send stuff ahead? Anyone have experience shipping their gear around the UK?
Opinions and help would be gratefully received.
Regards
John S
America is now the only country which allows two bags. If it was me I would definitely use a car. As far as the weather goes we are now getting better weather than England and you would have to be very unlucky to get stuck in the snow. The last few years some of the Ski centres are just about going out of business. Hope this helps.
John
Aberdeen
I regularly make the trip north of the border during winter looking for ice to climb. So far I haven't found travelling by car much of a problem, with only one weekend out of ~30 at risk by excessive snow.
You never know, I might bump into you up there this year!
All the best.
Probably worth checking prices out, then go by car anyway
airline busting
Phillip.
I'll be making my way by car.
Regards
John S
Ryanair are not quite that generous!, there is a weight and size limit on all their bags, 15Kg for the hold and 10Kg for the cabin. They do prefer people to use the mini cases in the cabin as it reduces their baggage handling costs.
Not sure that the plastic overhead lockers in modern airliners would support or take a Sigmonster!