A Survey: Has any UHH member had a piece of photo equipment stolen from checked luggage?
Nov 15, 2017 15:46:19 #
First of all, I always carry my camera over my shoulder when getting on a plane, never in a carry-on always on my person. For checked luggage I always "zip" tie the zippers together and carry extras in case they need to open my bag. I travel quite a bit and lately if they want to check my luggage they call me down to where my luggage is and open it in front of me, sometimes they even offer to "zip" lock it again for me.
Nov 15, 2017 16:03:23 #
As an Airline employee, I would never ever pack anything valuable mostly because it could get damaged. Also any electronics are not covered If lost or damaged by the airline. Reason enough not to pack it.
Nov 15, 2017 16:13:11 #
Yankeepapa6
Loc: New York City
[quote=joer]
mcveed wrote:
That's what you get when you pay baggage handlers minimum wage, and supervisors only slightly more. quote]
I don't believe a person's work ethic or integrity is determined by their pay.
I don't believe a person's work ethic or integrity is determined by their pay.
Nov 15, 2017 16:20:43 #
Robert Bailey
Loc: Canada
I was departing an airport in California one time and had my camera equipment
in a large padded backpack which was then placed in a "hockey bag".
I had a discussion with the attendant about whether to place a fragile sticker on the bag.
She said, "If you don't, we're not responsible"; "If you do, we're not responsible".
I decided to go ahead and put fragile stickers on hoping they might treat it more gently.
I then watched as a baggage handler picked up the bag and threw it about ten feet
unto a conveyor belt!
Fortunately, I had everything well padded and nothing was damaged.
in a large padded backpack which was then placed in a "hockey bag".
I had a discussion with the attendant about whether to place a fragile sticker on the bag.
She said, "If you don't, we're not responsible"; "If you do, we're not responsible".
I decided to go ahead and put fragile stickers on hoping they might treat it more gently.
I then watched as a baggage handler picked up the bag and threw it about ten feet
unto a conveyor belt!
Fortunately, I had everything well padded and nothing was damaged.
Nov 15, 2017 16:29:27 #
mcveed wrote:
I have never packed a camera body or lens in check... (show quote)
I had a small pocketknife stolen out of my checked luggage a few years back. I had placed it in my shaving kit, and when I got back home it had been taken. There was a notice that TSA had been in my bag at the Washington airport. I filed a report with TSA and it was investigated by a special agent. I was first asked why I hadn't boarded with it. I explained that it was illegal for me to carry a knife onto the plane. The agent then asked me to provide proof that I had actually placed the knife into my luggage. When I couldn't figure out what kind of proof I could offer, the case was closed.
Nov 15, 2017 16:34:24 #
mcveed wrote:
I have never packed a camera body or lens in check... (show quote)
I have never had anything stolen, granted the only piece of photographic equipment I ever packed into checked bags is my tripod, (there is always the very real possibility of theft) however my primary concern has always been for the safety of my gear. Judging by the amount of suitcases I've had to replace over the years due to the abuse they suffered by baggage handlers I simply don't wish to take a chance with my camera, lenses etc...
My thought has always been keep my gear with me as carry on. Better safe than sorry, why tempt fate?
Nov 15, 2017 17:11:24 #
Yankeepapa6 wrote:
For the record, I wasn't relating the low wages of baggage handlers to theft. I was relating it to the story of a bag falling off a cart and being left on the apron for an hour. Many of the baggage handlers at the airport where I work are teen agers on their first job. Many are disgruntled at the hard work for low pay and leave after a few months. For the most part the baggage handlers don't have time to randomly open bags looking for treasures, and besides that we have surveillance cameras in the baggage hall.
Nov 15, 2017 17:37:17 #
Never had a piece of camera or lighting gear taken but when I was a photo assistant in the 1970s, I lost a large folding Gerber knife and a Swisschamp knife taken from my bag. The thief ignored the 8x10 camera case, tripod case, film case and three lighting cases.
Nov 15, 2017 17:37:35 #
Honesty didn't pay in this case. But you're right. She could have claimed it was something else, I guess.
Nov 15, 2017 18:01:18 #
Nov 15, 2017 18:25:30 #
Yes. Years ago flying from Nairobi to London to Dallas Texas. I had all my images, except for the ones on the two cards I was using, stored on a handheld electronic device (no longer made). When I arrived home the device had been stolen from my luggage and all my pictures from a two week photo shoot in Africa were GONE. Never got them back. Now I keep the original card, a backup card, and storage on my laptop. All these travel with me in the aircraft cabin. I even have one set of the cards in a case on a lanyard around my neck most of the flight. I know this sounds a little absurd, but once your gear gets stolen, you become very cautious. I NEVER check my cameras or lenses. I have had stainless steel thermos mugs bent in my check baggage. If you do check your gear, purchase a good solid Pelican case and pad your stuff well. If traveling to a theft prone area, always insure your gear (if expensive) if you have to check it. Going to Africa may be a little more risky than most other destinations.
Nov 15, 2017 18:42:39 #
Yankeepapa6
Loc: New York City
mcveed wrote:
For the record, I wasn't relating the low wages of... (show quote)
A good example of why education is the first rung on the ladder to success.
Nov 15, 2017 19:53:56 #
Yes I have packed on occasion, usually on the trip back. Never had anything stolen.
However, twice now I've accidentally left (partially) exposed film in checked luggage with no ill effects.
Once (at Midway maybe 10 years ago) I was warned at the bag drop that if I had film in the luggage it would be ruined, and I spaced off the fact that there was one roll in one camera in the bag. I was expecting the worst, but when I had it processed the unexposed frames were totally clear. No fog, no dark streaks, just normally exposed film.
However, twice now I've accidentally left (partially) exposed film in checked luggage with no ill effects.
Once (at Midway maybe 10 years ago) I was warned at the bag drop that if I had film in the luggage it would be ruined, and I spaced off the fact that there was one roll in one camera in the bag. I was expecting the worst, but when I had it processed the unexposed frames were totally clear. No fog, no dark streaks, just normally exposed film.
Nov 15, 2017 20:24:54 #
friends of our, from England arrived to find ALL their clothing, 2 adults and 2 small girls, everything gone and their cases still "locked" They never got anything back. They had come for a 2 year stint of work for the man
Nov 15, 2017 20:51:02 #
mcveed wrote:
I have never packed a camera body or lens in check... (show quote)
Holy GAS Batman, you have an 1800 dollar tripod???
Will you please adopt me????
I keep my gear with me on a flight. But I have packed my C-PAP machine to do so, and it arrived ok.
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