What's the best way to carry your equipment when flying.
I assume that checking it in is clearly not an option. I don't seem to have the courage to part with with my fragile and beloved lens.
However carrying it as hand baggage has two issues -
a) space occupied by the equipment
a)pretty much gets me to go through additional security checks and I have to mount each lens on the camera body to demonstrate that it works as a lens to the security officer.
Is there a better way to carry your equipment ?
Posted by Bryan Maltais on January 13, 2010 at 6:24 PM
I've only ever carried it in photo backpacks. I always push the size limits, but I have yet to be prohibited from taking them on-board. I don't know how you're going to avoid security checks irregardless of the carry method. I always get checked.
Posted by Brian Jackson on January 13, 2010 at 6:42 PM
I've been a 50,000 - 100,000 mile a year flyer for the past 10 years. Not sure why you keep getting additional security, as I this has only happened to me a hand full of times. I do get asked if it is video equipment most of the time but that's about it.
I put anything that is non breakable ie tripod and things that I could live without if it didn't make it there in my check in luggage. I bought a small traveler tripod that fits in my carry on luggage as my backup if needed.
Everything else goes in my camera backpack and my one carry on suitcase. I take multiple camera bodies, several lenses, large 400mm prime, flash, etc all in my camera bag. I guess after you travel so much you learn how to pack really good and what is going to set off the security people such as solutions, batteries, etc.
If this doesn't work, ship it. Shipping is not that crazy expense plus you can claim a value if it is lost or damaged.
Posted by Andre Joanisse on January 13, 2010 at 10:52 PM
I do a lot of air travel with my camera gear and I have never experienced the additional security that you mention. Sometimes, security will want to manually check through the bag I usually have a lot of lenses in there but that only takes a few extra minutes.
On my last trip, I had a lot of camera gear with me. I got the Kiboko bag from GuraGear. I was able to fit everything in, not a problem. It is also carry on compliant in terms of its external dimensions. I flew in all types of planes and never had a problem. Have a look at: http://www.guragear.com/
It isn't cheap but certainly is worth it in my books. Since you are in CA, you won't have to worry about the high price of shipping that I had to deal with in Australia
The bag is lightweight, very tough, fits a lot of gear, easy to carry, ...
It's been years since we have had to go through the routine of mounting lenses and all that at checkpoints. Traveling separately, my wife and I went through half a dozen airports in December without issue.
How we carry the gear depends on where we are going and for how long. For large assignments we're mostly likely to Fedex gear ahead, plus carry a basic kit onboard with us. I've got Tamrac's largest Adventure pack, which carries most of what I need on a typical trip, unless I need lenses longer than 300mm. My wife uses a regular photo pack.
A big issue for us is the hassle of baggage PLUS camera gear arriving and departing airports, with long hikes between gates another issue. Let's hear it for shoulder straps, but also for the "pocket" on much of Tamrac gear, allowing it to fitted over the extension handle on most suitcases, thus allowing you to transfer the weight temporarily to your roller bag. I've tried a couple of brands of packs that include wheels and extension handles, but they're so heavy you loose too much gear capacity to them, convenience or not.
Posted by David Prichard on January 13, 2010 at 11:51 PM
In Canada, since the Christmas Day incident, there has been confusion as to what may or may not be taken aboard as carry on particularly in regard to travel to the United States. While they have tried to relax and clarify these procedures I suspect there may be some difficulties yet.
Canada has now said cameras are allowed as carry-on to the States. Whether showing up with a bag of gear would be in excess of the bureaucratic notion of 'a camera' I don't know. While I have not encountered any difficulty flying within Canada, any trip to the States or overseas, I would certainly check out with the carrier prior to arriving at the airport if I could afford to fly out of the currently frozen north..
Posted by freda kraus on January 14, 2010 at 6:42 AM
Always pack a vest just in case they insist that your bag is too big or when a gate check is required. I can slip all of my lenses and the body into my vest. Since I would be wearing my loaded vest it has been allowed so far. I am not traveling with a pro. multi body kit and my largest lens is a 300mm f4 L IS but I do carry 3 lenses and one body. Tripod and most accessories can be in a checked bag is necessary.
You might wish to consider a Pelican Case. Their line has all different size cases wih plenty of padding within them. They come in all sizes and even have one that meets the carry on requirement, fits in the luggage rack and has roller wheels.
Posted by Mike Bohlander on January 14, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Luminous Landscape just posted an article about extensive air-travel after December 25th. Here is a link:
Posted by Scott Fricke on January 14, 2010 at 2:32 PM
I have carried all my gear as carry-on (in a photo bag) for years and have not had to go through additional security. I always carry my camera and a 70-200 lens around my neck because I like to take photos in-flight. I always pack the tripod with my checked baggage. A TSA agent told me once that tripods were not allowed as carry-on (could be used as a weapon) so that might be worth checking on as well.
Discussion
9 repliesWhat's the best way to carry your equipment when flying.
I assume that checking it in is clearly not an option. I don't seem to have the courage to part with with my fragile and beloved lens.
However carrying it as hand baggage has two issues -
a) space occupied by the equipment
a)pretty much gets me to go through additional security checks and I have to mount each lens on the camera body to demonstrate that it works as a lens to the security officer.
Is there a better way to carry your equipment ?
I put anything that is non breakable ie tripod and things that I could live without if it didn't make it there in my check in luggage. I bought a small traveler tripod that fits in my carry on luggage as my backup if needed.
Everything else goes in my camera backpack and my one carry on suitcase. I take multiple camera bodies, several lenses, large 400mm prime, flash, etc all in my camera bag. I guess after you travel so much you learn how to pack really good and what is going to set off the security people such as solutions, batteries, etc.
If this doesn't work, ship it. Shipping is not that crazy expense plus you can claim a value if it is lost or damaged.
On my last trip, I had a lot of camera gear with me. I got the Kiboko bag from GuraGear. I was able to fit everything in, not a problem. It is also carry on compliant in terms of its external dimensions. I flew in all types of planes and never had a problem. Have a look at: http://www.guragear.com/
It isn't cheap but certainly is worth it in my books. Since you are in CA, you won't have to worry about the high price of shipping that I had to deal with in Australia
The bag is lightweight, very tough, fits a lot of gear, easy to carry, ...
HTH,
André
How we carry the gear depends on where we are going and for how long. For large assignments we're mostly likely to Fedex gear ahead, plus carry a basic kit onboard with us. I've got Tamrac's largest Adventure pack, which carries most of what I need on a typical trip, unless I need lenses longer than 300mm. My wife uses a regular photo pack.
A big issue for us is the hassle of baggage PLUS camera gear arriving and departing airports, with long hikes between gates another issue. Let's hear it for shoulder straps, but also for the "pocket" on much of Tamrac gear, allowing it to fitted over the extension handle on most suitcases, thus allowing you to transfer the weight temporarily to your roller bag. I've tried a couple of brands of packs that include wheels and extension handles, but they're so heavy you loose too much gear capacity to them, convenience or not.
Canada has now said cameras are allowed as carry-on to the States. Whether showing up with a bag of gear would be in excess of the bureaucratic notion of 'a camera' I don't know. While I have not encountered any difficulty flying within Canada, any trip to the States or overseas, I would certainly check out with the carrier prior to arriving at the airport if I could afford to fly out of the currently frozen north..
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/flying-jan-10.shtml