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Questions on flying with camera equipment

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InkedMarie

InkedMarie

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We’re leaving for our first vacation in over 20yrs on Saturday. I flew once with a film camera & one lens; I’m sure a lot has changed.



Do I pack my camera backpack with a lens attached to the camera? Battery: in or out?



TIA,

Marie
 
When I fly I usually put my camera bag to the overhead compartment on the plane. I have 3 lenses, one on the camera, the other two detached with lens caps on, batteries in camera. No worries! Have a nice and safe trip. :)
 
InkedMarie said:
We’re leaving for our first vacation in over 20yrs on Saturday. I flew once with a film camera & one lens; I’m sure a lot has changed.

Do I pack my camera backpack with a lens attached to the camera? Battery: in or out?

TIA,

Marie
Click to expand...
You can do it either way, it's up to you. There is no right or wrong nor any airline regulations affecting your decision.
 
Ferenc MOGOR said:
When I fly I usually put my camera bag to the overhead compartment on the plane. I have 3 lenses, one on the camera, the other two detached with lens caps on, batteries in camera. No worries! Have a nice and safe trip. :)
Click to expand...
My backpack is my carry on & my son said it’ll fit under the seat. Thanks!



Marie
 
mfinley said:
InkedMarie said:
We’re leaving for our first vacation in over 20yrs on Saturday. I flew once with a film camera & one lens; I’m sure a lot has changed.

Do I pack my camera backpack with a lens attached to the camera? Battery: in or out?

TIA,

Marie
Click to expand...
You can do it either way, it's up to you. There is no right or wrong nor any airline regulations affecting your decision.
Click to expand...
Thank you!

Marie
 
InkedMarie said:
We’re leaving for our first vacation in over 20yrs on Saturday. I flew once with a film camera & one lens; I’m sure a lot has changed.

Do I pack my camera backpack with a lens attached to the camera? Battery: in or out?

TIA,

Marie
Click to expand...
Im not aware of any regulations on the camera/ lenses themselves but there will be stricter rules on the batteries.

Check the airline details online, but on recent flights I’ve been on all camera batteries must be in your carry on luggage (you can pack as many AA/AAA type batteries as you like in your suitcase but the type of batteries for laptops, phones, cameras etc need to be in your carry on luggage). You may find you're only allowed up to 2 spare batteries as well (one in the camera and 2 spares)

Enjoy your vacation!
 
Last edited:
I fly with my camera gear quite frequently and if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s don’t put anything you care about in checked luggage.



I carry all of my photo gear in carry-on luggage either In a backpack or a small roller bag. I put my batteries in the cameras and any additional batteries I keep in a small pouch in the carry on bag. Make sure not to put anything with a lithium battery in your checked luggage. I once had an expensive flashlight and two expensive camera batteries confiscated from my checked bag shortly after the no lithium batteries in checked baggage policy went into effect. It cost me nearly $400.



In the past couple of years I’ve had some strange things disappear from my checked baggage. Earlier this year I had a small plug-in air compressor disappear and just a few days ago I had three fishing shirts disappear. Strangely enough, the shirts were stinky and dirty from having been worn out in the hot sun all week.. It seemed like a strange thing to take.

Make sure that whatever carry on bag you use meets the airline’s requirements for carry-on. You can usually find the measurements on the airline’s website. Also I try to make sure what type of airplane I will be flying on to make sure that the bag will fit. For example, a roller bag that will easily fit in the overhead bin of a 737 might well not fit under the seat or in the overhead bin of a small regional jet. I also try to see if I can pay extra to get priority boarding so I can be sure that there will be enough bin space for my camera gear. If you’re on one of the last boarding groups and the flight is fairly full, you might not have enough space for your bag and could be forced to gate-check it. This is also part of the reason that I try to keep all of my lithium batteries in a small bag inside of my carry-on. If for some reason I am required to gate check, I can take the bag out and keep it with me on the plane so the batteries don’t disappear.
 
InkedMarie said:
We’re leaving for our first vacation in over 20yrs on Saturday. I flew once with a film camera & one lens; I’m sure a lot has changed.

Do I pack my camera backpack with a lens attached to the camera? Battery: in or out?
Click to expand...
I've traveled a lot. I'd say lens not attached if it's a big lens, because it's easier to pad. Otherwise lens attached is ok. Battery is better in as there's no reason to keep it out. I put the bag under the seat in front of me if it's small enough. Otherwise, I put it in the overhead compartment but make sure that it's sitting in the back of the bin so it doesn't fall out.
 
Just for the heck of it, I'd consider removing the battery. I never do but that's another story.

The most important thing is for you to have an enjoyable trip.

Kent
 
If you're flying a small jet (e.g. CRJ-700), you'll need to gate check your luggage but will be allowed one "personal item" that can be stowed at your feet beneath the seat in front of you. The current TSA size limit for personal items is 17"x10"x9". Any small, over-the-shoulder camera bag will fit. Many small or medium-sized camera backpacks will also fit. For example, I have a Lowepro Flipside AW200 that fits comfortably on the floor beneath the seat in front of mine on regional jets.

If you're flying in a larger jet (Boeing 787, Airbus 320, or larger) you'll also be allowed to bring a carry-on piece of luggage. This is typically a suitcase and will be stored in the overhead compartment. The current TSA size limit for carry-ons is 22"x14"x9".

Batteries can be in the camera and the camera bag, provided the bag is with you as a personal item. The camera bag and your carry-on luggage will be scanned by TSA security. Be prepared to remove your shoes and belt, and place those along with a laptop and anything in your pockets into a gray tub to be scanned. You will also be scanned and may be pulled out of line at random for an individual security check.

If you arrive at the airport about 2-hours ahead of your scheduled flight, you should have time to get through security and then to the gate before boarding starts. Which airline are you flying? You may be able to download and install an airline app on your phone that allows you to check-in from home the day before the flight and received your digital boarding passes so you can go straight to security when you arrive at the airport.

Enjoy your trip.
 
Should do, but be careful not to step on it! :-)

I shall perfer to put it on the overhead compartment.

Usually I shall carry a soft ultra light weight cabin size 4 wheelers as my carry on which holds my camera (2 bodies & 4 lenses) plus other necessities which are not allowed delay nor missing), for comfort movement in the airport.

--
Albert
** Please forgive my typo error.
** Please feel free to download my image and edit it as you like :-) **
About my
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Last edited:
InkedMarie said:
We’re leaving for our first vacation in over 20yrs on Saturday. I flew once with a film camera & one lens; I’m sure a lot has changed.

Do I pack my camera backpack with a lens attached to the camera? Battery: in or out?

TIA,

Marie
Click to expand...
Do not leave your lens attached to the camera. If your bag is dropped, it is more likely that the lens will be damaged if it is mounted on the camera. I always separate my cameras and lenses for travel.

Batteries should be kept in your camera. Airline security is most concerned with bare batteries that can short across the terminals. Each extra battery should be in a separate bag/case, even if they have a cover that slips on because covers can slip off. You might consider getting some LIPO battery bags. I have them for all of my drone batteries.

How critical this stuff is depends on where you are flying. My trips to Asia had the most issues; security wanted to inspect every camera/lens/battery in my bag.
 
DannH said:
InkedMarie said:
We’re leaving for our first vacation in over 20yrs on Saturday. I flew once with a film camera & one lens; I’m sure a lot has changed.

Do I pack my camera backpack with a lens attached to the camera? Battery: in or out?

TIA,

Marie
Click to expand...
Im not aware of any regulations on the camera/ lenses themselves but there will be stricter rules on the batteries.

Check the airline details online, but on recent flights I’ve been on all camera batteries must be in your carry on luggage (you can pack as many AA/AAA type batteries as you like in your suitcase but the type of batteries for laptops, phones, cameras etc need to be in your carry on luggage). You may find you're only allowed up to 2 spare batteries as well (one in the camera and 2 spares)

Enjoy your vacation!
Click to expand...
It’s all carry on so I should be fine.

Marie
 
alcelc said:
Should do, but be careful not to step on it! :-)

I shall perfer to put it on the overhead compartment.

Usually I shall carry a soft ultra light weight cabin size 4 wheelers as my carry on which holds my camera (2 bodies & 4 lenses) plus other necessities which are not allowed delay nor missing), for comfort movement in the airport.
Click to expand...
I have one suitcase & the camera backpack. We will see what fits where!

Marie
 
BirdShooter7 said:
I fly with my camera gear quite frequently and if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s don’t put anything you care about in checked luggage.

I carry all of my photo gear in carry-on luggage either In a backpack or a small roller bag. I put my batteries in the cameras and any additional batteries I keep in a small pouch in the carry on bag. Make sure not to put anything with a lithium battery in your checked luggage. I once had an expensive flashlight and two expensive camera batteries confiscated from my checked bag shortly after the no lithium batteries in checked baggage policy went into effect. It cost me nearly $400.

In the past couple of years I’ve had some strange things disappear from my checked baggage. Earlier this year I had a small plug-in air compressor disappear and just a few days ago I had three fishing shirts disappear. Strangely enough, the shirts were stinky and dirty from having been worn out in the hot sun all week.. It seemed like a strange thing to take.

Make sure that whatever carry on bag you use meets the airline’s requirements for carry-on. You can usually find the measurements on the airline’s website. Also I try to make sure what type of airplane I will be flying on to make sure that the bag will fit. For example, a roller bag that will easily fit in the overhead bin of a 737 might well not fit under the seat or in the overhead bin of a small regional jet. I also try to see if I can pay extra to get priority boarding so I can be sure that there will be enough bin space for my camera gear. If you’re on one of the last boarding groups and the flight is fairly full, you might not have enough space for your bag and could be forced to gate-check it. This is also part of the reason that I try to keep all of my lithium batteries in a small bag inside of my carry-on. If for some reason I am required to gate check, I can take the bag out and keep it with me on the plane so the batteries don’t disappear.
Click to expand...
My son has flown this airline often; I bought the same suitcase as him but in girly colors lol. He doesn’t check this. I’m taking that plus my camera backpack. One in overhead, one under a seat.

Marie
 
Bill Ferris said:
If you're flying a small jet (e.g. CRJ-700), you'll need to gate check your luggage but will be allowed one "personal item" that can be stowed at your feet beneath the seat in front of you. The current TSA size limit for personal items is 17"x10"x9". Any small, over-the-shoulder camera bag will fit. Many small or medium-sized camera backpacks will also fit. For example, I have a Lowepro Flipside AW200 that fits comfortably on the floor beneath the seat in front of mine on regional jets.

If you're flying in a larger jet (Boeing 787, Airbus 320, or larger) you'll also be allowed to bring a carry-on piece of luggage. This is typically a suitcase and will be stored in the overhead compartment. The current TSA size limit for carry-ons is 22"x14"x9".

Batteries can be in the camera and the camera bag, provided the bag is with you as a personal item. The camera bag and your carry-on luggage will be scanned by TSA security. Be prepared to remove your shoes and belt, and place those along with a laptop and anything in your pockets into a gray tub to be scanned. You will also be scanned and may be pulled out of line at random for an individual security check.

If you arrive at the airport about 2-hours ahead of your scheduled flight, you should have time to get through security and then to the gate before boarding starts. Which airline are you flying? You may be able to download and install an airline app on your phone that allows you to check-in from home the day before the flight and received your digital boarding passes so you can go straight to security when you arrive at the airport.

Enjoy your trip.
Click to expand...
I’m sure I’ll be pulled out of the scan: I’ve had both hips & both knees replaced. I’m sure I’ll glow lol. I think it’s Delta. My son & his wife planned the trip. We paid for our bus tickets and plane tickets plus our food. The rest is their gift. I know the names of the two towns in Utah where our AirBnB’s are in, I know we’re going to Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Hoover Dam. Whatever else is a surprise. Oh my husband & son are going on a guided fishing trip. Anyway, I think it’s Delta but I haven’t paid much attention. We’re basically showing up!



Marie
 
john isaacs said:
InkedMarie said:
We’re leaving for our first vacation in over 20yrs on Saturday. I flew once with a film camera & one lens; I’m sure a lot has changed.

Do I pack my camera backpack with a lens attached to the camera? Battery: in or out?

TIA,

Marie
Click to expand...
Do not leave your lens attached to the camera. If your bag is dropped, it is more likely that the lens will be damaged if it is mounted on the camera. I always separate my cameras and lenses for travel.

Batteries should be kept in your camera. Airline security is most concerned with bare batteries that can short across the terminals. Each extra battery should be in a separate bag/case, even if they have a cover that slips on because covers can slip off. You might consider getting some LIPO battery bags. I have them for all of my drone batteries.

How critical this stuff is depends on where you are flying. My trips to Asia had the most issues; security wanted to inspect every camera/lens/battery in my bag.
Click to expand...
We’re flying from Boston MA USA to Las Vegas USA. No gambling, flying in, driving out.

Marie
 
This may be a stupid question but do airlines make you open everything up? If they want me to open the camera bag, can I whisper that it’s camera gear & ask them to go elsewhere to look? I don’t want others to see what’s in the pack. Making something out of nothing?

Marie
 
It's been several years since they've asked me to open a bag. You will go thru screening and so will your camera bag. You'll have to put it on the conveyer but you or your family can see it.

I only have one new knee but you tell them about your knees/hips as you go thru security and they will use a wand to check out your extremities.

Have a great trip. Don't know how far north you'll go in Utah but Capitol Reef isn't that far from Bryce. You'll love everything you get to see.

You don't mention your mobility but I'm 82 and over the last several years have done most of my photography from the car or with short walks.

At Bryce Canyon, I hope they can pull up next to the curb and you can take the short walk over to see the canyon.

My wife and I had our 50th anniversary in 2017 from Salt Lake to Phoenix and really enjoyed it. One word of advice--- if Zion Valley is on your list, you have to use the shuttle and after early in the AM, waiting on the shuttle is a hassle if it's Spring or Summer.

Kent
 
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