is flash/tripod permitted on board as hand laguage?

hey,

my question has nothing to do with Sony and specifically SRL but since I am an Alpha user decided to post in here. Sorry for off-topic.

I plan my trip from Istanbul to Canada via Heathrow and of course will take majority of my gears with me.

Naturally I would take them as my hand luggage

With my A200 and couple of lenses should not be any problem. but what about tripod (small manfrotto), about 20cm assembled and a flash?

Anyone has such an experience? I really would not like to be stopped right before boarding.

I will travel with BA if that matters.

Thanks!

I've travelled several time with the flash without problems, I've never tried to take a tripod on board though. Once I lost one together with my checked luggage (when flying with Delta). I guess if it's only 20cm it should be OK, just ask at the airport.

-TS

thanks for the feedback

20cm SHOULD be fine, but I don't know specificly. It isn't always about if it fits carry on rules. For instance My Bogen is rather large, but withing airline carry on sizes. Transiting Narita (Tokyo) and making a connection to Singapore has had the NRT staff require me to check it, after measuring it, as they consider it a kubaton due to it's size.

The flash will be fine but they might consider a tripod as a weapon for hand luggage at Heathrow!

--
http://www.mokeweb.co.uk/gallery2/main.php

I have flown several times with my CF tripods, without any problems (domestically within the US and also internationally). But I understand that metal tripods would not be permitted on board.

Nazar Muhammedov said:

hey,

my question has nothing to do with Sony and specifically SRL but
since I am an Alpha user decided to post in here. Sorry for off-topic.

I plan my trip from Istanbul to Canada via Heathrow and of course
will take majority of my gears with me.

Naturally I would take them as my hand luggage
With my A200 and couple of lenses should not be any problem. but what
about tripod (small manfrotto), about 20cm assembled and a flash?

Anyone has such an experience? I really would not like to be stopped
right before boarding.

I will travel with BA if that matters.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I was in London last summer, with friends and family. With apologies to Londoners, my experience wasn't pleasant. Heathrow has the worst record in mis-handling baggages. I've witnessed (while waiting) luggages thrown on the ground (and i don't mean gently, luggages opened in the process), left out in the rain, etc. So you would be in a pickle whether to check in your expensive camera equipment or hand carry them. On the other hand, Airport security only allows you to carry one bag (i can't remember the size/weight limitation). Meaning ONE bag only. Waist pouches, hand bags, camera bags, etc. should all be in one bag. Not separately. At least that's what we had to go through last July/August. Hopefully, things have changed for you. All i can say is "Good luck, to you".

RG

Nazar Muhammedov said:

hey,

my question has nothing to do with Sony and specifically SRL but
since I am an Alpha user decided to post in here. Sorry for off-topic.

I plan my trip from Istanbul to Canada via Heathrow and of course
will take majority of my gears with me.

Naturally I would take them as my hand luggage
With my A200 and couple of lenses should not be any problem. but what
about tripod (small manfrotto), about 20cm assembled and a flash?

Anyone has such an experience? I really would not like to be stopped
right before boarding.

I will travel with BA if that matters.

Click to expand...

You will not be allowed to take the tripod on a a separate item. 20cm seems very short indeed and could be within the current regulations; the airport shops sell a special ultra-small travel umbrella, as normal ones are not allowed. But if your 20cm tripod is inside your hand baggage, it will be allowed. You are not allowed to carry a camera, or ANYTHING, separately; one bag means one bag. They do allow a mobile phone pouch on your belt and i have got away with a 'bum bag' of a slim type worn as a belt but not one big enough to hold a flash.

The official baggage size for BA flights is surprisingly large and heavy, and at Heathrow, two bags may be allowed but this depends on the destination:

BA

The hand luggage items must be no larger than 56 x 45 x 25cm, weigh no more than 23kg and be light enough to be lifted into overhead lockers. Two items allowed at Heathrow and some other major airports only.

(23kg is the weight of a typical 19 inch CRT monitor or 100 copies of a typical in flight magazine - most people can not lift 23kg over their heads, few people can lift 23kg with one hand, and if 23kg falls on you it hurts - it's 3kg more than some hold baggage case limits, and is the official maximum weight for any package sent by parcel carriers, which does not require two people for 'safe' delivery)

However, the problem is not BA it's every other airport and carrier in the world and any possible use of smaller carrier like FlyBe, Jet2, Easyjet, Ryanair etc. Typical restrictions for these are 10kg, one item only - and a much smaller size, such as 35 x 50 x 25cm or similar.

You must obtain size and weight details for every connecting flight and airport and stick to the worst one. My Tenba courier-type bag gets through the worst. It will hold two bodies, flash, five lenses, storage device or palmtop computer, charger, spare batts, mini tripod (12cm closed), filters, and an assortment of travel related trivia like headphones, medical kit, tickets etc.

David

--

Publishing & Editing Photoworld (photoclubalpha.com), dPhotoexpert.com and Master Photo Digital - currently writing tests for f2 and the BJP

THanks for the feedback. My travel will be only by BA, and I think they have no problem with tripods. I will try to avoid taking it as hang luggage.

Thanks for the feedback

never had a problem with my camera stuff as carry on, flash included, but i dont know what airline you all are flying for one bag... I have flown southwest,delta,airtran american and american eagle in the last 2 yrs several times and i was the only one not carrying multiple bags. seemed like everyone had a huge backpack and a wheeled bag that was blatently over the size limit. my last flight, i couldnt even stow my bag in the overhead becasue they were all full of people who had 2 and three pieces. seemed like the gate clerks were asleep. I hate checking baggage and its always a hassle. the only time checking my baggage went smooth was when i was transporting a pistol, and i guess thats becasue i had to go to a seperate area first so it could be inspected and tagged, and my luggage was locked and checked there, not at the terminal.

Ive never been to london but it sounds like you are describing atlanta hartsfield international.... cr@ppiest airport ive ever been to by far...

Nazar Muhammedov said:

hey,

my question has nothing to do with Sony and specifically SRL but
since I am an Alpha user decided to post in here. Sorry for off-topic.

I plan my trip from Istanbul to Canada via Heathrow and of course
will take majority of my gears with me.

Naturally I would take them as my hand luggage
With my A200 and couple of lenses should not be any problem. but what
about tripod (small manfrotto), about 20cm assembled and a flash?

Anyone has such an experience? I really would not like to be stopped
right before boarding.

I will travel with BA if that matters.

Click to expand...

Don't BA lose more luggage than any other major airline in the world?

Nazar Muhammedov said:

Thanks!

Click to expand...

--
Andrew (Brit expat in Taipei, Taiwan for 22 years now)