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Phototrekker

Discussion

5 replies
Posted by John Kerr on January 20, 2007 at 12:09 PM
Hello all,
Has anybody flown from the UK with this bag as hand luggage recently?

Thanks
John
Posted by Elliott Neep on January 20, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Hi John,

Yep. I have the AWII Phototrekker. Flew to India, in December from Heathrow on BA. Had no problems at all. They even picked me for a random hand baggage search and eventhough it obviously weighed a great deal, they had no problem with it. Its smaller than the maximum dimensions.
Posted by Paul Williams on January 20, 2007 at 4:21 PM
I've just bought one of these and it has to be said I was a little concerned that it wouldn't travel as hand luggage. Elliot, did they show any concern over the straps and harnessing?
Posted by Elliott Neep on January 22, 2007 at 5:24 AM
Nope, none at all. Just take the tripod mount off the front of the bag. That can make it awkward and fiddly to get in the overhead. Its also a good idea if a jobsworth asks you to put it in one of those metal frames to check dimensions. I carried it on my back throughout the airport (apart from going through the scanner obviously) and nobody noticed.

You should see the size of 'hand baggage' some people try and get on. Then you really understand why there is little notice taken about the phototrekker. Those wheely suitcases are much larger. Probably not a good idea though to moan about the weight of all the camera gear though :wink:
Posted by Martin Fowler on January 23, 2007 at 9:50 AM
I had a phototreker classic removed from me and thrown in the hold when I flew BA to France a few years back. There was then a delay the other end and I could see my bag going round the belts in an open public area :mad:
Last year I flew to Italy, put the contents of the bag (except 300/2.8) in various pockets during check-in.
There was then an anouncement that hand bagage weight would be checked again at boarding as the plane was close to the limit :confused: :confused: :confused:
Bag emptied into pockets again, I got it on, but many didn't.
Both flights were BA from Heathrow, no problems on the return trips.
The bag was a classic, I don't think I would have got the AW weight down enough.
Posted by Elliott Neep on January 23, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Sounds very unfortunate, Martin. I haven't had any issues. Cabin policies changed last year. There is no weight limit now as long as the baggage is not awkward or unreasonably heavy, i.e. you can't lift it up to put in the overhead locker. I've flown with the trekker on BA and Easyjet.