deanna_hg Loc: So. Alabama

And I hope this camera works!
Left Canada Dec. 17 headed home for the holidays. This trip it was taking two days to get home. On Dec. 18 I left Calgary for Mobile. When I started the trip I had my Yorkie, a lg. purse (since I would be staying over night) and my camera backback. Before I could walk to the gangway after my ticket was cked another airline emp. walked up to me and told me I would have to ck. my backback. Attempted to explain it was my camera epuipment and tech. the other was my purse. They took it anyway and I was told I would not see it again until Mobile. I get to Mobile and have damage. Shattered LCD screen, broken filter on a new 90mm macro, my new 24-70mm will not even focus manual or auto as well as the lens hood being broken. I get the run around between the number to call about baggage claim and the airport. Today we fly back to Canada. We spoke with a United manager who cks with her admin and tells us they settled with us for 200.00 which is news to me, we have not been contacted. My camera is insured, the lens not. And I really don't won't a repaired lens that I have only had 2mos. I have a cousin who is a lawyer with whom I have spoken. I need to get an estimate on the cost of repair/replacement for the items. Or something that says the items are irreparable, but that they should be held liable for the damage.
So now I am sitting in the airport without my Nikon and lenses. I feel plumb naked without it. I did have an old 35mm film camera that I have brought with me but have no idea how well it will even work if it does. Guess I will learn how much I know about photography.
I have no idea how I'm going to manage getting estimates when I'm in Cananda. My Sister has my camera and lens to send off. I had wanted another camera but not this way. The camera store I use has the d7000 at 900.00 which I may get her to pick up for me, just won't get it until I come back for a visit. If the 35mm doesn't work I have my cell and a point and shoot. I'm not real happy!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Sorry to hear of your troubles, but it swounds as if your backpack exceeded the size limits for a carry-on or they would not have made you check it. The airlines are only liable for damage as per the guidelines printed on your ticket, or available through their website if you got an e-ticket. Traveling with photo gear has always been a pain, but proper packing for a flight is always essential. Damage can occur easily.

deanna_hg Loc: So. Alabama

No MT don't think that was it. This was my 4th trip without problems. Lesson learned tho

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

And I'm sure you thinking is was a carry on, there was no need to pack it as if it were going to the under belly of the beast (luggage hole)... :( real bummer. We used to go through crap like this years ago with film, security telling us X-rays did nothing to film...I had plenty of film to prove otherwise...

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

If you carry your camera gear when traveling I would suggest a carry on size case like Pelican sells that is a legal size for airlines. In some foreign countries, however, they have weight limits for carry on and on a recent trip to South America I was forced to check my camera gear on a local leg and I freaked. Fortunately it arrived safely on the other end and I did not have to check it again on my return legs. I have not seen a domestic carrier hassle me with a single carry on and a back pack which I frequently travel with.

katbandit Loc: new york city

I get searched every single time I travel with my gear...what a pain...I would rather miss my flight than have them take it and store it under the plane..sometimes I get panicked when the airline starts asking for volunteers to put their luggage checked due to full flights..this trip I am taking today I was fortunate enough to have friends that visited while driving through take a good portion of my stuff via car back to florida with them...lets see if I can get through today without hassle..I feel so bad that your camera gear was damaged...the airlines today are a disgrace the way they handle luggage...

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Deanna,
Purchase a Pelican 1510, I am a working pro fashion photographer and I travel with this one. It meets the restrictions for carry-on and has wheels. Another benefit is that you can sit on it when you drop the handle.

George

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's awful. Airlines move thousands of people a day, so you can't expect to get top level treatment for damage. On a flight from London on Kuwaiti Airlines, the pop-up handle on my large suitcase broke off. They managed to keep it with the suitcase, but their only reimbursement was for an American Tourister dealer to replace the handle. That was reasonable, but it took a long time to get it repaired and receive payment. If I had needed it for traveling, I would have been out of luck.

I'm surprised that more luggage isn't damaged.

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

Do you find the 1510 roomy enough for all your gear? Also, did you get the foam or padded divider model? I have used a Pelican PCS283 (looks like luggage, not made by Pelican) for the past year but it recently had a seam break open during a recent trip and I have been leery of getting another similar model. The advantage is that it doesn't look like an equipment case but like a piece of normal luggage.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

This is what I can put into my 1510 I have the padded dividers. Two 1Ds bodies, 24-70L, 17-40L, 70-200L, 580 Strobe, 2 extra batteries, small charger, 2 8 slot Card carriers, off camera cable, extender and a bulb blower. It is an amazing case that is in my estimation indestructible. Well worth the money, get it from B&H they have a great price and keep them in stock.

Happy New Year

George

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

George,

Thanks for the info. I am getting the case I had replaced under warranty (from OmegaBrandess not from Pelican) and may try to sell the replacement (PCS383 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=pcs383&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=) and get the 1510 which is less expensive.

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

One more question. Is the padded divider area in a padded tray that lifts out in one piece or do the dividers velcro to the case sides? One nice thing about the case I had was that you could lift out the entire case contents leaving a bag that could be used as regular luggage.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Adding to that question - does the Velcro cover the entire inside, or is it placed in just a few areas? I got a backpack that had very limited Velcro inside, so I sent it back.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

And the way they handle passengers is better???

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

No, that still sucks. I travel as little as possible by air and consider it a humiliating event when I do.