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Airline travel with photography equipment?

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vbnut

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I'm planning my first airline trip with my photography equipment at the end of the month, and I'm people can help me know what to expect. I also haven't flown at all since 2000, so I'm a generally inexperienced passenger.

I'm expecting to do a variety of photography, so I'm taking quite a bit of gear. My plan is to pack my EF 400/5.6 in the middle of my hard shell suitcase, and pack the rest of my gear (40D, 200/2.8, 135/2, 85/1.8, 50/1.8,10-22, plus accessories) in my Lowepro Orion AW belt/backpack as a carry-on. I'm also planning to take my Manfrotto 3245 monopod, hopefully I can carry it on as well.

Here are some specific things I'm wondering
  • Is packing the 400/5.6 in the middle of my clothes in a suitcase "safe"?
  • Has anyone carried on Lowepro Orion AW? I'm a little concerned it will be too big?
  • Will I be able to carry on the monopod? Would I be better off checking it?
More generally:
  • How safe (loss, damage, theft) is flying with photography equipment?
  • Any general advise to avoid issues or problems?
Thanks for your help.
 
I fly quite a bit and sometimes with quite a bit of gear. For example, 2 bodies and 5 lenses and various accessories. You should check with the airlines and in some countries the airports to see what is allowed as to size (including dimensions) and weight. It may have changed, but Britain was very restrictive and strict a year or so ago after some troubles. If you are up against it there are various work arounds, like a vest or wearing the camera. There is no way on earth that I would put a 400 or any other lens I cared about in checked baggage. Repeat, no way. I have stuck a monopod in a checked bag before. It is not attractive or fragile and if need be I can function without it.
--
http://mitchseaver.com/
 
Hi,

firstly, it varies in different countries slightly, so check US rules, I am from Europe.

You can rather check on http://www.tsa.gov/ or your Airlines web pages or hotline, esp. for weight limits for your flight tarif. No problem, they are used to.

Orion AW is considered as carry-on on Lowepro pages, but mind the weight.
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Orion-AW,1987,7.htm

The most restrictive rules, for example in UK, I've met, are:

Only one bag as carry-on... so no additional camera bag, hopefully not valid anymore.

No liquids in amount bigger than 10ml in one piece, no inflammables like eclipse at all.

All common batteries to carry-on, none checked ! Either in the equipment or in isloated cases/plastic bags.
Be prepared, they can check , if the camera is working (have batteries ready)

I wouldn't check-in any expensive toys, except of tripod, forget about carry-on monopod. Put the 400 mm into your partner's bag.

Airport safety check became very proof and undignified since 2000, (thanks, Osama !) In 2000, they sent usually my forgotten carry-on bowie-knife to my home or destination for free, now you can be prosecuted for this and they discard it :-) Be prepared for this and don't complain or be nervous, you'd make it worse. Be glad , you don't need to speak U.S. immigrant officers with :-)
vbnut said:
I'm planning my first airline trip with my photography equipment at
the end of the month, and I'm people can help me know what to expect.
I also haven't flown at all since 2000, so I'm a generally
inexperienced passenger.

I'm expecting to do a variety of photography, so I'm taking quite a
bit of gear. My plan is to pack my EF 400/5.6 in the middle of my
hard shell suitcase, and pack the rest of my gear (40D, 200/2.8,
135/2, 85/1.8, 50/1.8,10-22, plus accessories) in my Lowepro Orion
AW belt/backpack as a carry-on. I'm also planning to take my
Manfrotto 3245 monopod, hopefully I can carry it on as well.

Here are some specific things I'm wondering
  • Is packing the 400/5.6 in the middle of my clothes in a suitcase
"safe"?
  • Has anyone carried on Lowepro Orion AW? I'm a little concerned it
will be too big?
  • Will I be able to carry on the monopod? Would I be better off
checking it?

More generally:
  • How safe (loss, damage, theft) is flying with photography equipment?
  • Any general advise to avoid issues or problems?
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
 
vbnut said:
I'm planning my first airline trip with my photography equipment at
the end of the month, and I'm people can help me know what to expect.
I also haven't flown at all since 2000, so I'm a generally
inexperienced passenger.

I'm expecting to do a variety of photography, so I'm taking quite a
bit of gear. My plan is to pack my EF 400/5.6 in the middle of my
hard shell suitcase, and pack the rest of my gear (40D, 200/2.8,
135/2, 85/1.8, 50/1.8,10-22, plus accessories) in my Lowepro Orion
AW belt/backpack as a carry-on. I'm also planning to take my
Manfrotto 3245 monopod, hopefully I can carry it on as well.

Here are some specific things I'm wondering
  • Is packing the 400/5.6 in the middle of my clothes in a suitcase
"safe"?
Click to expand...
Heck no. On occassion I pack a low-cost zoom in my suitcase, but I wouldn't pack anything like a 400.
vbnut said:
  • Has anyone carried on Lowepro Orion AW? I'm a little concerned it
will be too big?
Click to expand...
Check the external dimensions Lowepro publishes against the specific limitations of the airline.
vbnut said:
  • Will I be able to carry on the monopod? Would I be better off
checking it?
Click to expand...
I've packed a monopod in my suitcase.
vbnut said:
More generally:
  • How safe (loss, damage, theft) is flying with photography equipment?
  • Any general advise to avoid issues or problems?
Click to expand...
Check the carry-on rules for the airline. They seem to be getting more restrictive all the time with size & weight of what's allowed.

Mark
 
I am sure a monopod is not allowed in your hand luggage - everything like nordic walking sticks or fishing rods are no allowed.

Just check the size of your bag . And pack it so that it is easy to open - they might want to look inside in the security check. X- ray does not see so well through a pile of lenses etc.

Lenses or electronics do not like the cargo environment (freezing cold etc) - shirts will not protect them.

Have a nice trip! And you can leave some of the lenses at home ; )
--
Kari
SLR photography since 1968
60°15´N 24°03´ E
 
I try very hard to put everything photographic in a carry-on backpack (LowePro AW). I can get my 50D, my G9, my 430EX, at least 3 lenses, and my lunch and my iPod in that backpack, along with a paperback book, and carry it on many domestic flights.

However - There's a big and progressively severe problem with luggage and with carry-ons in particular. Where I live, we have to begin all flights in smaller "feeder" airplanes. No overhead storage is allowed (though there are usually overhead storage bins....wonder what, if anything, they keep in those). Most of the time I'm allowed to stuff my LowePro under the seat in front of me. But on some of the feeder flights, even carry-ons are not allowed. The "carry on" things are gate-checked though, so there's much less chance of theft or of their getting sent the opposite direction from where I'm traveling.

A big heavy tripod like my Manfrotto has to go into checked luggage. Same with the monopod now. However, just a year or two ago, people were reporting that they were able to take monopods and big tripods right onto the plane with no trouble. I never tried that. This year I'm going to stick my little Velbon Ultra-Maxi into the LowePro, so if all else fails I'll have something on which to mount the camera.
 
I may be paranoid, but I'd never put anything like my camera body in checked luggage that is out of my control. I've done only a little international travel and had no problem carrying on my camera and lenses in a Lowpro backpack.
--
Fred Doyle
 
Member said:
Member said:
Only one bag as carry-on... so no additional camera bag, hopefully not valid anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
No longer true. Now the limit is set by the airline, and is typically one carryon and one "personal item." The latter covers a briefcase, a small camera bag, a purse, etc. I went through Heathrow with a LowePro Minitrekker and a small sling-type backpack - the latter contained my reading material, music and video players, etc - without any problem.
--
Jeff Peterman

Any insults, implied anger, bad grammar and bad spelling, are entirely unintentionalal. Sorry.
http://www.pbase.com/jeffp25
http://www.jeffp25.smugmug.com

 
I have done a fair bit of travelling with my photo gear over the past couple of years and I would say that I would not pack anything valuable in my checked baggage, especially something like the 400mm f/5.6L.

When I travel I generally have 2 XXD bodies (the last couple of trips it was a 40D and 50D), a 500mm f/4L IS USM, an EF 1.4x II, EF-s 10-22, EF-s 60mm macro and a 28-135 IS along with mem cards batteries… They have all been packed in a Thinktank Airport Antidote 2 bag and carried on. The bag is not exactly small but it does fit in the overhead bin of the smaller jets and I haven’t had any problem about carrying it on so far.

On my last trip I did bring a small tripod which I packed in my checked bag without any problems.

I hope this helps,

Greg

--



http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/
 
First, the main place to check is the airline site, which has the limits specific for them. When looking at the size limits and measuring your bag, be sure to include the space occupied by the straps: the body may be within the limit but if the bag has a thick waist strap that addes 3 inches to the depth, the bag may be too big for a carryon. The second big issue is weight: most airlines within the US don't set a weight limit, but at least some international flights have a 6 kg (13.2 lb) limit for carryons. It is very easy to reach the weight limit with camera gear.

I have packed photo gear in my checked bags. I use bags that don't look expensive. I make sure that the checked bag is "locked" with a cable tie (I keep a bunch of spares and a pair of nail clippers to remove them, in my carryon), and I use a bold colored luggage strap. With these two in place, it takes a little extra effort to open the bag, so a potential thief is more likely to go to a different bag. However, unless I had no other option, I certainly wouldn't pack my 70-200 lens. (I did pack my 420EX flash on a recent trip.)

But check the monopod - I'm pretty certain you'll have to anyway.
--
Jeff Peterman

Any insults, implied anger, bad grammar and bad spelling, are entirely unintentionalal. Sorry.
http://www.pbase.com/jeffp25
http://www.jeffp25.smugmug.com

 
Checked bags get thrown around a LOT. I've even seen bags fall off the conveyor as they are being loaded on the plane and drop 10 feet or more to the ground. If the TSA opens your bag to do an inspection of the large cylindrical object showing up on the x-ray there is no guarantee that they will put everything back in a way that will protect your lens. If you absolutely don't have room in your carry on and need to put the lens in a checked bag, you should wrap it in several layers of bubble wrap or better yet put it back in it's original packaging.
 
Well, to a point at least. Take as MUCH as you can in a carry-on bag. Don't leave anymore of your gear then you can get away with in your checked luggage. Sorry, but I wouldn't trust ANY of my valuable gear being left to hands of airline personnel. And, if you honestly don't need it, then don't take it.

--
B
 
masak said:
I fly quite a bit and sometimes with quite a bit of gear. For
example, 2 bodies and 5 lenses and various accessories. You should
check with the airlines and in some countries the airports to see
what is allowed as to size (including dimensions) and weight. It may
have changed, but Britain was very restrictive and strict a year or
so ago after some troubles. If you are up against it there are
various work arounds, like a vest or wearing the camera. There is no
way on earth that I would put a 400 or any other lens I cared about
in checked baggage. Repeat, no way. I have stuck a monopod in a
checked bag before. It is not attractive or fragile and if need be I
can function without it.
--
http://mitchseaver.com/
Click to expand...
I Totally agree about not packing ANY valuables (camera equipment, laptop, jewelry, etc.) in checked bags. I can't tell you how many times "security" has opened and gone through my check bag. They always leave a note saying they opened the bag, and I've never had anything missing, but I've certainly had my bag rummaged through and my careful packing totally messed up on more than one occasion. Ditto my husband. It is up to you as to whether you want to take a chance, but even the airlines warn against putting valuables in checked bags.

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
Jeff Peterman said:
Jeff Peterman said:
Jeff Peterman said:
I've certainly had my bag rummaged through and my careful packing totally messed up on more than one occasion. Ditto my husband
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Did they say why they rummaged through and messed up your husband?
Was he OK afterwards?
Click to expand...
O.K.... I could have said that a little better ! No they don't say why they rummage around, just leave a canned note saying the bag was opened by security for inspection. I think it is just a random check. It happened when we went to S. Africa, and also en-route to Italy once.

I always use the TSA approved locks that security can open , and put a note on top of my packed clothes asking them to please re-attach the locks. You can tell if the bag has been opened with those locks, as there is a little button that changes color if the lock has been opened. I haven't had a problem with theft, only with messing up my careful packing job.

Husband is fine ! :-)

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
vbnut said:
I'm planning my first airline trip with my photography equipment at
the end of the month, and I'm people can help me know what to expect.
I also haven't flown at all since 2000, so I'm a generally
inexperienced passenger.

I'm expecting to do a variety of photography, so I'm taking quite a
bit of gear. My plan is to pack my EF 400/5.6 in the middle of my
hard shell suitcase, and pack the rest of my gear (40D, 200/2.8,
135/2, 85/1.8, 50/1.8,10-22, plus accessories) in my Lowepro Orion
AW belt/backpack as a carry-on. I'm also planning to take my
Manfrotto 3245 monopod, hopefully I can carry it on as well.

Here are some specific things I'm wondering
  • Is packing the 400/5.6 in the middle of my clothes in a suitcase
"safe"?
Click to expand...
Some will say yes...some will say no. There are certainly some dishonest personnel that may steal your lens.

But anyway last November I packed my 85 II L inside my baggage to China and back. I took 10 separate plane trips (different cities in China plus stopovers in the US)...and luckily my lens wasn't stolen.
vbnut said:
  • Has anyone carried on Lowepro Orion AW? I'm a little concerned it
will be too big?
Click to expand...
Check with your airline on what their carry on requirements are.
vbnut said:
  • Will I be able to carry on the monopod?
Click to expand...
I guess...but I may be wrong.
vbnut said:
Would I be better off
checking it?
Click to expand...
In my case I always check it in.
vbnut said:
More generally:
  • How safe (loss, damage, theft) is flying with photography equipment?
Click to expand...
To make sure just hand carry your equipment...except for the tripod/monopod.
vbnut said:
  • Any general advise to avoid issues or problems?
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
You're welcome!

Cheers!

Danny Tuason :)

--
http://www.pbase.com/dtuason



Life contains but two tragedies. One is not to get your heart's desire; the other is to get it.

Socrates
 
Coogles said:
Checked bags get thrown around a LOT. I've even seen bags fall off
the conveyor as they are being loaded on the plane and drop 10 feet
or more to the ground. If the TSA opens your bag to do an inspection
of the large cylindrical object showing up on the x-ray there is no
guarantee that they will put everything back in a way that will
protect your lens. If you absolutely don't have room in your carry
on and need to put the lens in a checked bag, you should wrap it in
several layers of bubble wrap or better yet put it back in it's
original packaging.
Click to expand...
--
They also get opened and stuff stolen.

Never pack valuables...NEVER
 
--

I'm reading all these replies and no one seems to address a decent sized camera back on a regional jet or turboprop. Most of these kind of airplanes require you to "gate check" your tow behind luggage before entering the airplane. I have a wheeled backpack (the size of a small wheeled suitcase). It's not gonna fit in the overhead on a regional jet.

What do you do when traveling like this and making connections with regional jets?

Frankly, I want to travel with my 300 F2.8, but I sure as heck am not letting it out of my sight.

CSP
 
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