djlouden Loc: Ocala, Florida

Thanks to all for the suggestions and comments.




I'd sooner walk off the aircraft than gate check my camera gear, knowing that I could just kiss the stuff goodbye. I'm preparing a document for just such a situation, whereby I ask the person forcing a gate check to assume financial responsibility for the items in my carry-on which will be itemized by cost. I know of a couple others who have done similar things. I know if the crew member is a jerk it won't phase them a bit. In that case I'll leave the aircraft and fly another carrier.

It has become such a hassle to fly any more, that I think this will be our last flying expedition.

Tom S. Loc: Hillsboro, Ore.

+1.

I fly often on United - eight times this year, I think, and getting ready to do it all over again in '15. I buy the small seat and put up with being cramped for awhile. I buy my ticket early and choose an aisle seat so there's some free space on one side of me. I take my camera bag and suitcase to the gate and at that point they'll check my bigger bag through to the final destination at no cost. My suitcase would fit into the overhead compartment, but why bother? I'm always kind of amazed to see people dragging so much stuff onto the plane like it's moving day.

My camera bag just fits into their sizer and it holds my 7D body, 24-70 and 70-200 lenses, FZ200, flashes for each camera, other gadgets and a spare spit kit in case my suitcase is lost (but the chance of that is really about the same as getting hit by a bus). I'm also able to stuff my 15" Mac laptop into it - just barely. Once in awhile on a tiny commuter plane I'll give them the camera bag, too, but like Kalina54 said, they hand it right back.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

You are not alone in that sentiment, air travel isn't what it used to be, although very little is. The world changes, and sometimes we have to adapt with it.

I would love flying to be what it was, but it isn't. When I get on my next flight (United), just delayed by over 2 hours (air traffic control, not United's fault, we have the equipment), I'll have just ticked over 75K flight miles this year. With things like TSA pre I get through security in less than 10 minutes, there is power and wifi on the plane (which I need for work today due to a production deadline).

Baggage limits are a problem on every airline, but they are not an issue if you deal with things in a thoughtful manner.

As I said earlier, a well thought out modular approach gets past the baggage size restrictions in almost every situation.

I flew to Paris from San Francisco for a week in November with all the gear I needed (camera body with battery pack), six lenses, flash, and tripod and all the clothes (not just casual) and a laptop needed for a 5 day conference, all without any checked luggage or problems on United.

Perhaps it is time to adapt to the way the modern world works, whether we like it or not. Those guys make the rules and we have little opportunity to challenge them, however we feel about that. I have learned how to adapt myself to their system and get what I need.

Not a problem.

Good luck

Rancher38 Loc: Halfway, OR

Nice, on a "full sized" plane all is well since they honor the luggage size limits; however, the CRJ aircraft do not. Unfortunately, we make more than 2 dozen such flights a year and it is a serious problem, no matter how well one packs.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I've done my share of CRJs for an extended period of time. They are what they are. If you adapt to their reality it isn't hard. If you can't deal with it try walking or driving, or taking a train or bus.

If you want full size planes and bins, then there needs to be enough passenger demand to support it. If that does not exist you will either lose the service entirely, or have far fewer available flights in your location with full size planes. Or have to drive to a major airport hub. It is a simple economic reality for the airlines.

I commuted from San Francisco to Utah for two years on CRJs with no issues. Skis, cameras, all sorts of stuff. No issues. Just a little fore thought and planning. I don't really have much sympathy for you, you are dreaming about what you want instead of the dealing with the real world. A small plane is better than no service or a very limited service. You could always choose to pay the price and charter a plane and have no restrictions.

We all want the world to behave as we would like it to, but for some strange reason it doesn't.

djlouden Loc: Ocala, Florida

Very true. We've learned to try and adapt to the ever changing whim of the airlines. Our objection is the ever changing rules. Seat sizes continue to shrink, then leg room is cramped some more. I've changed camera bag sizes to conform to the latest edict only to have another change in place soon after. Just to avoid issues we only carry one camera bag per person and a very small personal bag (smaller than allowed) for money, etc.

With my camera gear I have bags clearly within the size limits posted, easily fitting the bag sizer, only to have some upstart gate nazi wish to impose their own self appointed rule, fortunately backing off when the supervisor was summoned. Confrontations that were unnecessary.

I've had some good experiences too, never having issues with Southwest and bags. Unfortunately they only offer one class of seating and the seats seem to be shrinking again.

Happy shooting

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Empathy, and good luck!

I've flown over 75K with United this year and only had one gate Nazi. They exist with all airlines. I hope it works well for you.

djlouden Loc: Ocala, Florida

Thanks. Guess I'll give United the business this time and hope they don't give it to us. It's been a while since I flew with them and I've had a few complaints from other folks, I needed some input from some other seasoned travelers.

Happy Shooting

jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.

Hire a Sherpa guide. You're carrying enough gear to do a shoot for National Geographic.

djlouden Loc: Ocala, Florida

:mrgreen: Nah, most of it stays in the bag in the trunk of the car. I just like having it there if I want it. Besides I take my own indentured porter with me. AKA - Grandson. He does a great job and he wants to stay in the will. :thumbup:

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

If Federal Government intrusion into business procedures and regulations, and I'm not sure it is, then some 'help' on seat size may be in the offing. I recently read in some publication--don't remember where--that the FAA is considering having a study done re-examining people sizes vs. shrinking & additional seats which is really the reason for the loss of cabin storage space.

Of course they may not do it or come up with a half-assed conclusion or solution!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Wouldn't a half-assed seat be really, really small?

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I guess that's my fear of Government intervention! :D

GregS Loc: Central Illinois, USA

I cant speak for United, but contents is more of a TSA requirement, not airline. I do know that at my local airport if you tell TSA what is in the case, they will do a physical check as long as it meets the size requirements. They will accommodate expensive fragile items. You may have to insist, but if done politely, they will comply. Once they open the bag and see photo equipment, you should be okay...after they tear it all out and check it!! :)

djlouden Loc: Ocala, Florida

Actually never had a TSA issue with my gear. Usually they look at my 500 sitting there and say "Oh your a professional" and zip up my bag. Little do they know I don't know which end goes on the Polaroid.