Airline hand baggage allowances and photo gear
Posted by: Rockingdoc on 19 September 2005
Been flying with quite a lot of photographic gear recently, but haven't sussed the best way to transport the gear.
Options;
I put it all in the hold in a big sturdy waterproof "Pelicase" with foam padding and pressure release valve. Everything arrives fine, but total baggage weight allowance used up.
Try and sneak it through as hand baggage. I have various sized Lowpro padded rucksacs. To get all the gear in I would need to use the largest which is about 20x15x13 ins. This is within published allowed dimensions for hand baggage, but it looks big to me.
Problem being, if I arrive at check-in with the Lowpro bag and then they insist it goes in the hold which items are most vulnerable to the rigors of the hold? The padding is sufficient for most shocks, but I had a digital video die in the hold once which I suspect was a temperature/pressure effect, rather than shock.
Any experiences?
and while I'm asking, does anyone know if gas-filled binoculars and 'scopes ae ok in the hold?
Posted on: 19 September 2005 by Nick_S
A separate large laptop case with a tiny laptop e.g., Toshiba Libretto, provides a fair bit of extra space, in addition to your hand-luggage bag (plus you have the computer to use).
Nick
Posted on: 19 September 2005 by Derek Wright
how much is "quite a lot of photographic gear"
I use a Samsonite $50 backpack, it holds the DSLR body plus two lenses, laptop, battery chargers for the camera, mobile phones, PDA spare batteries and enough cable to connect to phones and sockets etc.
The benefit of the back pack is that it is relatively easy to carry on the often long tracks thru the airports without twisting my back.
Posted on: 19 September 2005 by Rockingdoc
Problem is, that on a photography trip, I like to use film and digital. So, it's a Mamiya 6x7 body and a couple of lenses PLUS a DSLR and a few lenses, plus film etc.
I know life would be easy if I let go of film, but I keep dreaming of that 6x7neg exhibition fine-art print.
Posted on: 19 September 2005 by Derek Wright
I think that you have solved the problem with your "in the hold" case and now need to take a few passengers with you so you can use their luggage allowance <g>
Posted on: 19 September 2005 by John Sheridan
quote:
Try and sneak it through as hand baggage.
my hand luggage has been weighed the past few times I've flown. I guess they've finally woken up.
Posted on: 20 September 2005 by count.d
My opinion is that there is nothing better to protect your photo gear than the Peli cases. I would pack your gear in one and put your mind at rest.
The Lowpro type soft bags are no where near enough protection for the hold luggage.
Regarding the bino's and hold pressure: the pressure inside the whole aircraft is the same, although there is a slight increase overall as you fly. So it doesn't matter where you put the bino's.
Posted on: 21 September 2005 by Rockingdoc
thanks for the advice
Posted on: 22 September 2005 by manicatel
Hi there rockin. Best bet is to check with the airline you are using for their cabin bag allowance. It will vary, depending on who you're flying with, & in which class of travel. Check out the airlines website for details. The limits are a combination of size & weight of bags. Whether the restriction s are enforced on the day is a bit of a lottery. If the planes full you've got less chance with overly large bags.
As far as hold loading is concerned, there is a difference in the temp. of cabin/hold of a few degrees, but not enough to adversly affect your bino's, I wouldn't have thought.As long as they aren't filled with a gas on the "dangerous goods list", you should have no probs. Again,email the airline in advance of your special requirements, or check in early,& chat nicely to check-in staff for advice.Finally be aware that if you are connecting more than one flight, eg glasgow-lhr-new york, you may get them in the cabin on the big plane, but not on the smaller one. Best of luck, matt.
