Posted by Jody Grigg on October 4, 2010 at 3:15 PM
Are you covered?
Based on Todds recent post I figured I would share with you something that happened to me back in the Spring.
Up until now in the past when I have flown home to see my family on the east coast I always have flown with Delta Airlines from Denver to Atlanta, then changed planes with a short hop onto Charleston and like so on the return. Well this time on my return I had to go via Detroit with Northwest Airlines (Delta Partner) because all flights to Atlanta were full for my travel day. I thought no big deal I get to see another airport.
Anyways,I always take my camera gear/laptop on the plane with me to keep it safe and from getting damaged. I have always used one of Lowepros padded camera/laptop shoulder type bags, never had a problem, its size meets all the airlines standards for carry on luggage.
This is how the story goes (copied from what I wrote to the airlines)
On Monday 24th May damage was done to my carry on camera bag due to baggage equipment malfunction in Detroit.
Whilst sitting in the Charleston airport at gate A1 waiting to board the plane, DL1411, a Delta representative walked around giving certain passengers a pink tag for there over sized luggage. The
representative walked right by me, she never gave me a tag for my LowePro Camera bag, which I was not surprised because I have used this particular bag always on my Delta flights for my carry on luggage and have never had to check it in.
After sitting on the plane in my scheduled seat 1A with the bag at my feet the stewardess told me that the bag would have to go under the plane I explained that this had camera equipement in it and would like to keep it. She said that this would not be possible, she placed a tag on it and handed it to a ground crew person.
Getting off the plane in Detroit I was expecting my bag to be next to the door of the plane where you normally see bags and strollers etc at the gate ramp, but nothing was there. A crew member
told me to walk a little bit further up the ramp where there was a metal, garage door. Myself and about 15 other people waited at this door for our bags. The door was opened by an attendant and
everybody noticed that there was a bag jammed between the baggage lift and the structure of the lift. After all the bags had been taken we noticed this bag was mine at this point I asked the gate
attendant to call for a supervisor. A very polite gentleman by the name of Bill Jackson , supervisor, came to my assistance, immediately he noticed that there was not way that the bag was going to come out. He then called for a maintenance worker to come to assist in recovering my jammed bag. After the bag was recovered, I proceed with Mr. Jackson to the gate entrance to review the
damage to the contents of my bag. At this point I emptied the bag in his presence and that of my significant other and other gate attendants at this point we noticed my Camera body, 3 camera
lenses, pair of sunglasses and keys to my car where all broken beyond repair.
The following items where damaged beyond being fixable:-
1x Canon 5DMark2 body
1x Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens
1x Canon 17-40mm f/4 lens
1x Canon 20mm f/2.8 lens
1x Smith Polarized Sunglasses
1x Car Key and remote
To top it off after all that, I sit on the plane in Detroit for 3 hours due to a mechanical issue.
Wait I am not done yet.......get back to my car at the Pikes Peak parking lot in Denver and it won't start I have a dead battery, lucky enough for me I get a jump and use my hide a key to get in
since mine was broken due to the above issue.
I figured the airline would reinburse me for my losses.......well they only sent me a check for $3300 because thats the max they pay for damages. Not even close enough to cover my costs, hence
this season I have not gotten out that much. I used the money to by a new body and have been using old lenses or renting or borrowning lenses to get buy.
The point I am trying to make is get your gear INSURED!!!!! I never did get around to it, I kept putting it off then just forgot about it.....and yep it came around to kick me in the ass!
PS. You will have to forgive me for my spelling and english grammer, was never good at either.
DId you consult an attorney? I think 3300 is a joke for what they put you through--$33000 sounds more reasonable to me.
Posted by Todd Caudle on October 4, 2010 at 4:10 PM
Wow Jody, I just figured you were doing extra work at the real job. This totally sucks! Any way your forum friends can help, you know we gladly will. Just ask.
Posted by Neil Corman on October 4, 2010 at 4:31 PM
Sorry to hear about your situation Jody.
A few items to consider for any flying in the future.
Avoid regional jets when at all possible. Even though there is a size specification for airline carry on luggage these aircraft will not accommodate some of them. Did you know that over 50% of the flights United operates on a daily basis are on regional jets by their Express carriers.
Never pick a bulkhead seat, as there is no where in front of you to put your bags and they must go overhead. With bag fees the overheads fill up quickly on some airlines.
Know how the airline boards before picking a seat assignment. United uses a WilMA method, so the window seats board, the middles then aisles. Pick a window seat if you want overhead. Additional some of their aircraft like the 757 have narrower areas under the seat in front of you due to the aisle and other items. Go towards the back of the aircraft as well, since the elite passengers will board first and fill up the bins, etc. Frontier uses row number, and Southwest is by check-in number.
Use websites like seatguru.com to find out the specifics of the plane as well and the good seats.
Don't allow yourself a short connection if getting gear on a plane is important since you may be one of the last to board.
If you are traveling internationally know the limits as some of the airlines are strict on weight of carry on items as well.
Stan, the contract of carriage states the max they will pay out for damages which is $3300. (Not too long ago it was $1200.) Anytime you purchase an airplane ticket you are bound by the items included in this contract. As a side item Rule 240 is always good to know about if you fly alot.
Posted by Jim Casteel on October 4, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Jody,
I am horrified to hear about what happened. You should have pushed harder to get your bag to remain on the plane. All you have to do is tell them that the equipment in the bag is critical to you and not covered under any Airline replacement policy. Here is a link to the TSA's website concerning photographic equipment. You may not be allowed to have your secondary bag on the plane but they have to allow you to keep your camera gear on the plane. Because of this I would get a lawyer, you were allowed to keep that bag on the plane and it was their fault that it was damaged.
On the insurance side of things, I think I pay $150-200 per year for a inland marine policy from State Farm. It is for about $15000 in coverage. It is absolutely worth it!
Damn! What a horror story Jody. I'm very sorry to hear about this unnecessary mess. I'll look forward to seeing the results of your next fully-geared up, 72 hour, no sleep, above 12K odyssey!
Jim is absolutely right. Also, the contractual limitiation does not absolve them of negligence; if they didnt use the "expected" or "ordinary" care in this case (and it sounds to me like they didnt) then they can't bind you to specific damage limitations.
That's gotta be a rock bottom worst case scenario. Sorry to hear. And Yes, I was wondering where you had been lately.
Posted by Brian Jackson on October 4, 2010 at 6:10 PM
Sorry to hear that Jody. Hopefully all works out.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on October 4, 2010 at 6:10 PM
What a horror story!
I'm actually surprised at the new, higher compensation limits. I still remember when each bag had a limit of a few hundred dollars! I've always been operating under that assumption.
Posted by Jack Garrett on October 4, 2010 at 7:03 PM
Jim, TSA's rules allow you to get your photographic equipment through the screening area, it does not guarantee that it has to go on passenger area of the plane...the airline controls that part. I would at least consult a laywer about negligence though.
Posted by Grant Collier on October 4, 2010 at 7:06 PM
Man, that sucks... I've been told several times that I need to check my carry on w/ camera equipment, especially with some smaller / foreign airlines that have weight limits. But I've always managed to carry on my camera equipment. One thing I do is put my camera bag inside a small suitcase that is the max size permitted for carry on by most airlines. Then, if an airline says that I need to check a bag because it exceeds their weight limit, I first tell them it has expensive camera equipment and they'll usually let me carry it on. If not, I take my camera bag out of my suitcase, put my least valuable things in the suitcase and have them check the suitcase and carry on my camera bag. If they want me to check my bag because the overhead bins are full, I'll tell them that I will find room for it in the overhead bin. There's pretty much always room for it if you shuffle a few bags around. Better yet, I try to get on the plane as early as possible to avoid having the bins fill up.
Posted by Jack Garrett on October 4, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Take a seat in the back of the plane..they always load that first...lots of storage room. When I flew east a couple months ago you wouldn't believe the size of the things people were bringing on board....duffel bags with wheels!!! No wonder overheads fill up so fast.
Jim, what does your State Farm policy cover exactly? Do they cover any damage you cause to your gear as well? Would they cover water damages in the case of an underwater housing?
Christopher, trust me when I say the last thing you want to do is put your photography gear in a Pelican case. I'm on some underwater photography forums and I can link you posts of horror stories. It is basically a big sign that says "Look, I have expensive stuff in here, take me". I don't know how many people on that forum put stuff into a pelican and checked it in, only to never have it arrive on the other end.
Posted by Don George on October 5, 2010 at 8:40 AM
Yikes, I'm leaving Saturday for upstate NY VIA Detroit same airline system. I'm only taking my 5D and two lenses. I'll pack my smallest bag. Sorry for your trouble hope all works out .
Doesn't seem like you have much of a case as the Airline states Max payout which they gave you. You could always try a Lawyer in order to put on pressure but I'm sure they have an army of lawyers to counter act.
Posted by Jim Casteel on October 5, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Koveh, they cover everything. Any time it is broken they will repair / replace it.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on October 5, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Jody, that totally sucks! I really feel for you. It also worries me because I am going on a trip in 2 weeks. I do ahve my camera gear covered by insurance, but it would just ruin the trip for me. I recently purchased the Think Tank International (it is small enough for all International Flights also) in hopes I won't run into this. I think they might have to through me off the plane before I would be willing to let them have it after this story.
Posted by Jeff Beard on October 6, 2010 at 12:30 AM
That blows; I know. I got nearly the same kit stolen earlier this year. The Inland Marine insurance that some here suggested is the way to go in general.
But for flying, I read on a blog that you can throw a starter pistol in your camera bag then declare it as a firearm case. It will be tagged, checked, and locked then hand-carried by TSA personnel. Here's some info:
I am an attorney and this is an awful situation. Legally I am not sure you will get far but consulting a lawyer who ha does these things might help but am doubtful. When you have aContractual relationship a lot of places will not recognize tort or negligence. Insurance is a good idea. I fly a lot and there is no one good approach. It's hard to avoid the regional jets when you fly in and out of a lot of the small airports like we do. If you take a bag keep it as small as possible and recognize even so you may have to gate check at time. Have some colorful ribbons or something so it won't be mistakenly grabbed by someone and you can spot right away. Wearyour photo vest and put some of yournlenses or bodies in there. Etc. And cross your fingers
Discussion
20 repliesBased on Todds recent post I figured I would share with you something that happened to me back in the Spring.
Up until now in the past when I have flown home to see my family on the east coast I always have flown with Delta Airlines from Denver to Atlanta, then changed planes with a short hop onto Charleston and like so on the return. Well this time on my return I had to go via Detroit with Northwest Airlines (Delta Partner) because all flights to Atlanta were full for my travel day. I thought no big deal I get to see another airport.
Anyways,I always take my camera gear/laptop on the plane with me to keep it safe and from getting damaged. I have always used one of Lowepros padded camera/laptop shoulder type bags, never had a problem, its size meets all the airlines standards for carry on luggage.
This is how the story goes (copied from what I wrote to the airlines)
On Monday 24th May damage was done to my carry on camera bag due to baggage equipment malfunction in Detroit.
Whilst sitting in the Charleston airport at gate A1 waiting to board the plane, DL1411, a Delta representative walked around giving certain passengers a pink tag for there over sized luggage. The
representative walked right by me, she never gave me a tag for my LowePro Camera bag, which I was not surprised because I have used this particular bag always on my Delta flights for my carry on luggage and have never had to check it in.
After sitting on the plane in my scheduled seat 1A with the bag at my feet the stewardess told me that the bag would have to go under the plane I explained that this had camera equipement in it and would like to keep it. She said that this would not be possible, she placed a tag on it and handed it to a ground crew person.
Getting off the plane in Detroit I was expecting my bag to be next to the door of the plane where you normally see bags and strollers etc at the gate ramp, but nothing was there. A crew member
told me to walk a little bit further up the ramp where there was a metal, garage door. Myself and about 15 other people waited at this door for our bags. The door was opened by an attendant and
everybody noticed that there was a bag jammed between the baggage lift and the structure of the lift. After all the bags had been taken we noticed this bag was mine at this point I asked the gate
attendant to call for a supervisor. A very polite gentleman by the name of Bill Jackson , supervisor, came to my assistance, immediately he noticed that there was not way that the bag was going to come out. He then called for a maintenance worker to come to assist in recovering my jammed bag. After the bag was recovered, I proceed with Mr. Jackson to the gate entrance to review the
damage to the contents of my bag. At this point I emptied the bag in his presence and that of my significant other and other gate attendants at this point we noticed my Camera body, 3 camera
lenses, pair of sunglasses and keys to my car where all broken beyond repair.
The following items where damaged beyond being fixable:-
1x Canon 5DMark2 body
1x Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens
1x Canon 17-40mm f/4 lens
1x Canon 20mm f/2.8 lens
1x Smith Polarized Sunglasses
1x Car Key and remote
To top it off after all that, I sit on the plane in Detroit for 3 hours due to a mechanical issue.
Wait I am not done yet.......get back to my car at the Pikes Peak parking lot in Denver and it won't start I have a dead battery, lucky enough for me I get a jump and use my hide a key to get in
since mine was broken due to the above issue.
I figured the airline would reinburse me for my losses.......well they only sent me a check for $3300 because thats the max they pay for damages. Not even close enough to cover my costs, hence
this season I have not gotten out that much. I used the money to by a new body and have been using old lenses or renting or borrowning lenses to get buy.
The point I am trying to make is get your gear INSURED!!!!! I never did get around to it, I kept putting it off then just forgot about it.....and yep it came around to kick me in the ass!
PS. You will have to forgive me for my spelling and english grammer, was never good at either.
A few items to consider for any flying in the future.
Avoid regional jets when at all possible. Even though there is a size specification for airline carry on luggage these aircraft will not accommodate some of them. Did you know that over 50% of the flights United operates on a daily basis are on regional jets by their Express carriers.
Never pick a bulkhead seat, as there is no where in front of you to put your bags and they must go overhead. With bag fees the overheads fill up quickly on some airlines.
Know how the airline boards before picking a seat assignment. United uses a WilMA method, so the window seats board, the middles then aisles. Pick a window seat if you want overhead. Additional some of their aircraft like the 757 have narrower areas under the seat in front of you due to the aisle and other items. Go towards the back of the aircraft as well, since the elite passengers will board first and fill up the bins, etc. Frontier uses row number, and Southwest is by check-in number.
Use websites like seatguru.com to find out the specifics of the plane as well and the good seats.
Don't allow yourself a short connection if getting gear on a plane is important since you may be one of the last to board.
If you are traveling internationally know the limits as some of the airlines are strict on weight of carry on items as well.
Stan, the contract of carriage states the max they will pay out for damages which is $3300. (Not too long ago it was $1200.) Anytime you purchase an airplane ticket you are bound by the items included in this contract. As a side item Rule 240 is always good to know about if you fly alot.
I am horrified to hear about what happened. You should have pushed harder to get your bag to remain on the plane. All you have to do is tell them that the equipment in the bag is critical to you and not covered under any Airline replacement policy. Here is a link to the TSA's website concerning photographic equipment. You may not be allowed to have your secondary bag on the plane but they have to allow you to keep your camera gear on the plane. Because of this I would get a lawyer, you were allowed to keep that bag on the plane and it was their fault that it was damaged.
Bob Atkins also has some good information here.
On the insurance side of things, I think I pay $150-200 per year for a inland marine policy from State Farm. It is for about $15000 in coverage. It is absolutely worth it!
I'm actually surprised at the new, higher compensation limits. I still remember when each bag had a limit of a few hundred dollars! I've always been operating under that assumption.
Christopher, trust me when I say the last thing you want to do is put your photography gear in a Pelican case. I'm on some underwater photography forums and I can link you posts of horror stories. It is basically a big sign that says "Look, I have expensive stuff in here, take me". I don't know how many people on that forum put stuff into a pelican and checked it in, only to never have it arrive on the other end.
Doesn't seem like you have much of a case as the Airline states Max payout which they gave you. You could always try a Lawyer in order to put on pressure but I'm sure they have an army of lawyers to counter act.
But for flying, I read on a blog that you can throw a starter pistol in your camera bag then declare it as a firearm case. It will be tagged, checked, and locked then hand-carried by TSA personnel. Here's some info:
http://lifehacker.com/5448014/pack-a-gun-to-protect-valuables-from-airline-theft-or-loss
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/09/expensive_camer.html