Sandy's recent post on the Thinktank Glass Limo reminded me that my existing camera travel bagis no longer permitted as carry-on baggage. So I'm curious what others are doing now. I ususally carry:
• primary camera and backup
• 500mm and 300mm primes
• 100-400mm zoom
• 12-60mm zoom (hey, it's not always bird photos)
• a couple of teleconverters
I'm resigned to putting my tripod in my baggage. But I'm pretty reluctant to check the rest of the photo gear. What are the rest of you doing?
Hi Jim- I use the ThinkTank International v2.0 and the Airport Accelerator. One is a roller bag, the other a backpack, and I can get my 500mm and 70-200, often with a 24-70 and two bodies in either bag. Both easily comply with TSA requirements.
Chuck, the Think Tank International v2 is now too big. That's what I have, and they would not allow it on. Probably yhe Accelerator too, if it is similar to the Think Tank size.
None of my big bags may be carry-ons now, and they also will not Gate Check. My recent trip to Alaska on small planes was a mess in this respect.
I got the Think Tank Glass Limo for the big lens, and will use the Think Tank International for all the soft stuff - flash, lens cleaner, ground cloths, manuals, etc etc and then will check that. I'll put the other smaller lenses in a small backpack.
This is the new International carry-on size, and Alaska says they are simply complying with the rest of the world's sizes for smaller airplanes:
I just measured my Thinktank International 2.0 and it's 22 x 14 x 9. I was just on United back and forth to Seattle, WA and had no issues with it. But I do check my tripod in my checked baggage.
Sorry, guys, but I tried alll these reasons and excuses with the airlines.
The Think Tank V2, including wheels below and handle on top is 24".
It DID NOT FIT in the measuring cage and they did not allow it on. of the 7 photographers affected, 4 had this identical bag and none were allowed on with it. .
I just measured mine - 24 tall, 10 deep, and 11 wide. The empty dimensions are not what they are when the thing is filled.
Believe it or not, your choice - - but be prepared to unpack and carry everything by hand and I had to do.
Maybe the bigger airlines will let this slide for awhile, but I can say that the smaller planes, including horizon to Alaska, DID NOT and WILL NOT.
We also checked with Quantas re the small planes we will be taking back and forth across Australia in August-October, and they are clear about the smaller dimensions, and very strict.
Both Nate and I had the V2 traveling to Thailand last November with EVA Airline on a B777, no issues with that bag from the agent, or in getting it in the overhead. Last January I flew to Costa Rica on JetBlue on an Airbus A320, again no issue with the bags-I had the Accelerator on my back, and my wife carried on my International V2. Again no problem. JetBlue did restrict us to one carry-on type piece and one personal piece, such as a handbag, but with the one carry-on permitted both these bags got on the plane.
The policy is decided by the airline involved, not the TSA, as stated on their website::
We’d all be wise to check with our individual carriers for their specific policy,which can usually be found on the airline’s website. To insist that these bags mentioned above are no longer allowed is not true in all cases, as Nate noted above as recently as last week.
Guys! I'm just providing information to hopefully save you the MAJOR hassle I just encountered!
The new regulations took effect JUNE 4, 2018 - Thailand last November was before the change.
Nate, Alaska would not accept it at Medford. I tipped a guy to gate-check it anyway. Would not accept it in Portland, or in Seattle on the way back.
NO WAY either going to or coming back from Anchorage or Nome.
These are the signs posted at Alaska and several other of the airlines we passed:
Important! The new carry-on bag size allowance, beginning June 04, 2018
The carry-on bag size limit for flights has changed to 22'' x 14'' x 9'' - these dimensions include the wheels and handles. Be sure to measure your bag carefully before you fly.
You'll still be allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag. To help make the boarding process as smooth as possible for everyone, make sure that your items are within the size limits described below, so they'll fit into the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
How can I measure my carry-on bag to make sure it fits?
To help you make the transition to this new size, we've added updated bag sizers at airport locations that feature the new 22" x 14" x 9" dimensions.
Before you leave for the airport, please measure your bag to make sure that the body of the bag itself, along with the wheels and handles, are 22" x 14" x 9" or less.
All 3 measurements – length + height + width - may not add up to more than 45 inches.
We've heard your concerns about guests who bring large carry-on bags onboard our flights, slowing the boarding process and limiting overhead space. In June, we updated our carry-on bag size to maximize overhead bin space, and provide a more consistent experience for our guests, especially for those flying with other carriers during their trips.
Sandy, thank you. But it is relevant and helpful for the rest of NPN to know which legs of the trip were affected. The plane to Nome is smaller and they are typically going to be more restrictive on a flight like that. Was that the flight that was affected?
Also in your previous post (near new backpack) you said you had a thinktank airport security which if you look at the specs is slightly larger than the thinktank airport international 2.0 which is what I have. In this post you said you have a thinktank airport international, these are 2 different bags, so that is confusing me. I think you must own the Thinktank Security.
I can certainly do the same thing and photograph the measurement of my bag if you like. It does measure 22x14x9 when filled including the wheels and handle. The exact measurements when filled with my gear are actually just a touch under 22 inches long but about 9.25 inches deep. I do not include a laptop in the bag, that is my personal item which I carry on separately. I have 1 !DX II, a 5D4, a 500F4, a 100-400, a 1.4x teleconverter and a 580ex flash and some batteries in it. If you look at the specs of the newest versions which I believe are the same, the Thinktank Airport Security is one inch longer and one inch deeper. Certainly the more these are stuffed with equipment the deeper they get. That one inch of difference between the airport security and airport international now seems like a big deal.
The flights I just took were on June 15th and 30th with United from Houston to Seattle and again I had no issues, but certainly the airport security (which I think must be your bag) is now over the limit when filled, while the airport international is right on the line of being within the regulations. It will be interesting to see if Thinktank comes out with a new version soon. I certainly like the design and the rollers, I would hate to have to resort to something which just goes on my back.
Internationally, I normally travel with a Think Tank StreetWalker HD bag, and I also wear my Think Tank Skin pouches around my waist.
The StreetWalker will fit:
600mm f/4 (no hood)
100-400mm or 70-200mm 2.8
24-70mm 2.8 or other wide lens
2 pro camera bodies
Plus accessories
Laptop and/or tablets
I wear the pouches in case I have additional gear (e.g., macro lens, flash or additional small lenses) and other personal items to carry. Plus, I've run into too many issues where an international ticket or gate agent will weigh my main bag and deem it too heavy. I use the pouches for re-packing so I can "wear" my gear on board (similar to the way some photographers wear a photo vest for lots of pockets).
The StreetWalker bag fit pretty much any carry-on dimension requirements, so I typically find weight to be the biggest challenge when traveling overseas these days. And that usually comes down to the country or individual working on a particular day. For example, in South America, Ecuadorian, Brazilian and Chilean agents are pretty laid back... Argentina and Peru, not so much.
Think Tank has released a lightweight StreetWalker line, I believe, because they're recognizing that weight is becoming a bigger issue.
Keep in mind that this is not a rolling bag. I have a couple of TT rollers, but I have given up on trying to take them overseas because of size and weight restrictions, so everything goes on my shoulders or around my waist. Also, I always check my tripod, head and lens hood.
If you want to see more about my set-up in a bag similar to the StreetWalker HD, I wrote a review of the MindShift Gear FirstLight 30L a couple years ago, which is more or less the same-sized photo pack from TT's sister company.
Yes, I have the ThinkTank Airport Security V2.
I answered your question about which airlines - all of them.
The case was full, but not stuffed.
Believe me, I talked with 3 supervisors and did everything but jump on the bag to get it into the new measuring cage.
It did not fit - and by more than one inch - and was not allowed.
This chart may be useful for each airline's regulations:
Carry-On Luggage Size Chart by Airline
Chart and airline pages updated as of May 2018.
All information is pulled from airline websites as a resource. Airline websites are the authority and can change at any time. We are not responsible for discrepancies.
Using the carry-on luggage size chart: Filter by region. Sort by airline name, dimensions, or weight. Switch between imperial and metric. Click on the airline name for more info on number of items allowed and other variations in the airline carry on luggage rules.
If you have a medical device such as a CPAP machine, that is also allowed on in addition to other baggage restrictions. My Resmed S9 CPAP has a very generous carry case which has room for a small telephoto, batteries, and other small essentials in addition to the CPAP and its power supply and hoses.. Just part of being creative. The airlines don’t question medical devices.
Discussion
17 replies• primary camera and backup
• 500mm and 300mm primes
• 100-400mm zoom
• 12-60mm zoom (hey, it's not always bird photos)
• a couple of teleconverters
I'm resigned to putting my tripod in my baggage. But I'm pretty reluctant to check the rest of the photo gear. What are the rest of you doing?
Hope that helps in informing your decision.
Best,
Chuck
None of my big bags may be carry-ons now, and they also will not Gate Check. My recent trip to Alaska on small planes was a mess in this respect.
I got the Think Tank Glass Limo for the big lens, and will use the Think Tank International for all the soft stuff - flash, lens cleaner, ground cloths, manuals, etc etc and then will check that. I'll put the other smaller lenses in a small backpack.
This is the new International carry-on size, and Alaska says they are simply complying with the rest of the world's sizes for smaller airplanes:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/baggage/carry-on-luggage
22 x 14 x 9 is the limit, including handles and wheels. Think Tank Security is now way too big., sorry
Sandy
The Think Tank V2, including wheels below and handle on top is 24".
It DID NOT FIT in the measuring cage and they did not allow it on. of the 7 photographers affected, 4 had this identical bag and none were allowed on with it. .
I just measured mine - 24 tall, 10 deep, and 11 wide. The empty dimensions are not what they are when the thing is filled.
Believe it or not, your choice - - but be prepared to unpack and carry everything by hand and I had to do.
Maybe the bigger airlines will let this slide for awhile, but I can say that the smaller planes, including horizon to Alaska, DID NOT and WILL NOT.
We also checked with Quantas re the small planes we will be taking back and forth across Australia in August-October, and they are clear about the smaller dimensions, and very strict.
Sandy
Both Nate and I had the V2 traveling to Thailand last November with EVA Airline on a B777, no issues with that bag from the agent, or in getting it in the overhead. Last January I flew to Costa Rica on JetBlue on an Airbus A320, again no issue with the bags-I had the Accelerator on my back, and my wife carried on my International V2. Again no problem. JetBlue did restrict us to one carry-on type piece and one personal piece, such as a handbag, but with the one carry-on permitted both these bags got on the plane.
The policy is decided by the airline involved, not the TSA, as stated on their website::
https://search.usa.gov/search?query=size+of+carry+on+bag&affiliate=tsa.gov
We’d all be wise to check with our individual carriers for their specific policy,which can usually be found on the airline’s website. To insist that these bags mentioned above are no longer allowed is not true in all cases, as Nate noted above as recently as last week.
You had several legs to your journey. Did you have to check the bag on all legs? If not, which flights did you have to check it on.
.
The new regulations took effect JUNE 4, 2018 - Thailand last November was before the change.
Nate, Alaska would not accept it at Medford. I tipped a guy to gate-check it anyway. Would not accept it in Portland, or in Seattle on the way back.
NO WAY either going to or coming back from Anchorage or Nome.
These are the signs posted at Alaska and several other of the airlines we passed:
Important! The new carry-on bag size allowance, beginning June 04, 2018
The carry-on bag size limit for flights has changed to 22'' x 14'' x 9'' - these dimensions include the wheels and handles. Be sure to measure your bag carefully before you fly.
You'll still be allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag. To help make the boarding process as smooth as possible for everyone, make sure that your items are within the size limits described below, so they'll fit into the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
How can I measure my carry-on bag to make sure it fits?
To help you make the transition to this new size, we've added updated bag sizers at airport locations that feature the new 22" x 14" x 9" dimensions.
Before you leave for the airport, please measure your bag to make sure that the body of the bag itself, along with the wheels and handles, are 22" x 14" x 9" or less.
All 3 measurements – length + height + width - may not add up to more than 45 inches.
*** If you have a soft-sided or expandable suitcase, you may want to measure your suitcase again once you’ve packed it, to make sure it still fits within the limit. Here are a few tips to help you pack your carry-on "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines." like a pro.
Why did we change our carry-on bag size?
We've heard your concerns about guests who bring large carry-on bags onboard our flights, slowing the boarding process and limiting overhead space. In June, we updated our carry-on bag size to maximize overhead bin space, and provide a more consistent experience for our guests, especially for those flying with other carriers during their trips.
Also in your previous post (near new backpack) you said you had a thinktank airport security which if you look at the specs is slightly larger than the thinktank airport international 2.0 which is what I have. In this post you said you have a thinktank airport international, these are 2 different bags, so that is confusing me. I think you must own the Thinktank Security.
I can certainly do the same thing and photograph the measurement of my bag if you like. It does measure 22x14x9 when filled including the wheels and handle. The exact measurements when filled with my gear are actually just a touch under 22 inches long but about 9.25 inches deep. I do not include a laptop in the bag, that is my personal item which I carry on separately. I have 1 !DX II, a 5D4, a 500F4, a 100-400, a 1.4x teleconverter and a 580ex flash and some batteries in it. If you look at the specs of the newest versions which I believe are the same, the Thinktank Airport Security is one inch longer and one inch deeper. Certainly the more these are stuffed with equipment the deeper they get. That one inch of difference between the airport security and airport international now seems like a big deal.
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/airport-series/products/airport-international-v3-0 specs listed as 21 x 8 x14
https://www.thinktankphoto.com//collections/airport-series/products/airport-security-v3-0 specs listed as 22 x 9 x 14
The flights I just took were on June 15th and 30th with United from Houston to Seattle and again I had no issues, but certainly the airport security (which I think must be your bag) is now over the limit when filled, while the airport international is right on the line of being within the regulations. It will be interesting to see if Thinktank comes out with a new version soon. I certainly like the design and the rollers, I would hate to have to resort to something which just goes on my back.
The StreetWalker will fit:
600mm f/4 (no hood)
100-400mm or 70-200mm 2.8
24-70mm 2.8 or other wide lens
2 pro camera bodies
Plus accessories
Laptop and/or tablets
I wear the pouches in case I have additional gear (e.g., macro lens, flash or additional small lenses) and other personal items to carry. Plus, I've run into too many issues where an international ticket or gate agent will weigh my main bag and deem it too heavy. I use the pouches for re-packing so I can "wear" my gear on board (similar to the way some photographers wear a photo vest for lots of pockets).
The StreetWalker bag fit pretty much any carry-on dimension requirements, so I typically find weight to be the biggest challenge when traveling overseas these days. And that usually comes down to the country or individual working on a particular day. For example, in South America, Ecuadorian, Brazilian and Chilean agents are pretty laid back... Argentina and Peru, not so much.
Think Tank has released a lightweight StreetWalker line, I believe, because they're recognizing that weight is becoming a bigger issue.
Keep in mind that this is not a rolling bag. I have a couple of TT rollers, but I have given up on trying to take them overseas because of size and weight restrictions, so everything goes on my shoulders or around my waist. Also, I always check my tripod, head and lens hood.
If you want to see more about my set-up in a bag similar to the StreetWalker HD, I wrote a review of the MindShift Gear FirstLight 30L a couple years ago, which is more or less the same-sized photo pack from TT's sister company.
Max
I answered your question about which airlines - all of them.
The case was full, but not stuffed.
Believe me, I talked with 3 supervisors and did everything but jump on the bag to get it into the new measuring cage.
It did not fit - and by more than one inch - and was not allowed.
This chart may be useful for each airline's regulations:
Carry-On Luggage Size Chart by Airline
Chart and airline pages updated as of May 2018.
All information is pulled from airline websites as a resource. Airline websites are the authority and can change at any time. We are not responsible for discrepancies.
Using the carry-on luggage size chart: Filter by region. Sort by airline name, dimensions, or weight. Switch between imperial and metric. Click on the airline name for more info on number of items allowed and other variations in the airline carry on luggage rules.
(H x W x D) (inches)
(lbs)
Item
Allowed
Notes