LowePro Commercial AW shoulder bag.

[tightlight]

Does anyone else have the LowePro Commercial AW shoulder bag? I just picked one up from B&H and have to leave on a trip tomorrow that I'd like to use it for. For those that have it, have you had any trouble with the airlines using it as a carry-on bag?

Thanks!

Brian

 

[Savas Kyprianides]

Better that you call the airlines and find out the dimension and weight restrictions they have. Compare it to your new bag. Hope it works out for you.

 

[tightlight]

...and I already checked with them...they have no specific size requirements, only that "it fits in the overhead compartiment", which obviously gives me nothing specific.

Better that you call the airlines and find out the dimension and
weight restrictions they have. Compare it to your new bag. Hope it
works out for you.

 

[Louis OConnell]

I'd have to say my first answer is that it wouldn't be allowed as carry-on, it's way over the international bag standards (although that means little these days), I guess it's gonna depend on how good a mood the check-in lady is in.

 

[Kevin Krows]

If you take the two removable zipper pockets on the end you should be fine. When you check in they will have a sizing box that's the same size as the overhead. If it fits you're fine...if not it has to be checked in as luggage. You should be prepared for this by locking the zipper pulls together and asking the check-in person to tag it for special handling (I believe they can do that).

One final thing...why the heck would you want to lug this monster bag on a trip? Can't you just take the critical items and leave the balance at home?? On a recent trip to Disney I took a body and a 24-70 lens and did great. Just something to think about.
--
Kevin Krows

 

[tightlight]

Someone directed me to this link:

http://www.dmcphoto.com/Articles/PhotoTravel/index.html

Which seems to indicate it should work alright.

It's actually not that huge of a bag, I'm just nervous because it's my first trip with it.

I'd have to say my first answer is that it wouldn't be allowed as
carry-on, it's way over the international bag standards (although
that means little these days), I guess it's gonna depend on how
good a mood the check-in lady is in.

 

[tightlight]

Kevin,

Yeah, I know it's a lot of stuff...but I'm attending my sister's wedding and have been asked to take candid shots, especially during the reception. They have a professional hired, but want to make sure the photography effort has some redundancy. I'm in the wedding party too, but my wife is going to try to get some shots during the ceremony from the first or second row of the audience. So I'm bringing both bodies, four lenses, and accessories. Again, I know it sounds like a lot, but I would like to try to be prepared.

No way do I want to have to check my camera bag, so I'll do everything necessary to get it into an overhead. Like you suggested, I'll take off the two removable pouches on the end, and if it's tight I can empty the front zipper pouch too. If for some reason I get hassled, I'm going to pull out the two bodies with lenses attached and my wife and I will hand carry them on as personal items (allowed based on the airline restrictions I've read).

Anyway, thanks for the reply, I do appreciate it.

Wish me luck!

Brian

If you take the two removable zipper pockets on the end you should
be fine. When you check in they will have a sizing box that's the
same size as the overhead. If it fits you're fine...if not it has
to be checked in as luggage. You should be prepared for this by
locking the zipper pulls together and asking the check-in person to
tag it for special handling (I believe they can do that).

One final thing...why the heck would you want to lug this monster
bag on a trip? Can't you just take the critical items and leave
the balance at home?? On a recent trip to Disney I took a body and
a 24-70 lens and did great. Just something to think about.
--
Kevin Krows

 

[Arash Moallemi]

just my 2C

since your traveling with your wife why don't you separate the gear into 2 smaller bags, I hope I'm wrong but I really think your going to have a hard time getting such a big bag in.

also some of the accessories can be packed with your clothing, for example since the charger is so big for the 1D family I only carry one in the camera bag, if I need more I put the other one with my clothing, same with cables, only one set of cables goes in the camera bag, all back ups and extra's go in my checked bags with my clothing.
something to think about, have a great time and good luck
am

 

[tightlight]

I think based on what I've heard so far I'm at least going to try to keep the gear consolidated in the big shoulder bag. I've seen some pretty huge roller carry-on bags that people use and this is definitely smaller than those, so hopefully I'll be alright. As you suggested, if it doesn't end up fitting, I can pull some gear out and stash it in my wife's carry-on (won't she be thrilled, hahahahahahaha).

Thanks again.

Brian

just my 2C
since your traveling with your wife why don't you separate the gear
into 2 smaller bags, I hope I'm wrong but I really think your going
to have a hard time getting such a big bag in.
also some of the accessories can be packed with your clothing, for
example since the charger is so big for the 1D family I only carry
one in the camera bag, if I need more I put the other one with my
clothing, same with cables, only one set of cables goes in the
camera bag, all back ups and extra's go in my checked bags with my
clothing.
something to think about, have a great time and good luck
am

 

[perspectiveye]

Just got back from mexico with this bag. Had an issue with the connecting flight from Calgary to Seattle. Smaller plane, didn't fit above so I put it below my feet and covered myself with a blanket. No way was I checking $13,000 worth of camera gear. No issue however from Seattle to Mexico or on the way back....Mexico to L.A. and then L.A. to Calgary. So I guess what I am trying to say is that you should be fine....I was.

Cheers,
--
Gabe
http://www.perspectiveye.com

 

[tightlight]

We're on our way to the airport in 15min, so this is welcome news. Thanks for replying Gabe.

Brian

Just got back from mexico with this bag. Had an issue with the
connecting flight from Calgary to Seattle. Smaller plane, didn't
fit above so I put it below my feet and covered myself with a
blanket. No way was I checking $13,000 worth of camera gear. No
issue however from Seattle to Mexico or on the way back....Mexico
to L.A. and then L.A. to Calgary. So I guess what I am trying to
say is that you should be fine....I was.

Cheers,
--
Gabe
http://www.perspectiveye.com

 

[Savas Kyprianides]

To my understanding, Jet Blue suggests sizes that are like a wide attache case.

 

[tightlight]

Just wanted to post what happened for future archive searches...

I took the Lowepro Commercial AW with all my gear and it worked out fine. No problems getting through airport security, and no problems putting it in the overhead compartment either. This was on Midwest Airlines, which I've found always has the same size plane so at least I'll know it will work with them in the future. Their overhead compartments are different on each side of the plane (one side is bigger than the other) and it fit better in the larger one of course. But I'm pretty sure if I would have taken off the two pouches on the ends of the bag that it would have fit in the smaller overhead compartment on the other side of the plane too.

It was definitely a big heavy to lug through the airport, but it was exactly what I needed for the shoot and it worked out great. Will be going on a couple more trips this summer and may use the Commercial bag again, so we'll see if it fits in the overhead compartments of other airlines too.

Cheers.

Brian

Does anyone else have the LowePro Commercial AW shoulder bag? I
just picked one up from B&H and have to leave on a trip tomorrow
that I'd like to use it for. For those that have it, have you had
any trouble with the airlines using it as a carry-on bag?

Thanks!

Brian

 

[Daniel Clune]

I have the same bag and its good to know i can use it. If another airline gives you trouble with it lets us (me) know. Then i know what airline to avoid.
--
http://www.pbase.com/dc9mm