Camera in Checked Baggage Recommendations
May 29, 2017 08:04:20 #
It looks like the requirement that your camera, tablet, laptop will need to go into your checked baggage on international flights into and out of the US is inevitable. In the past, like many here, I carried my camera, tablet, etc in my carryon bag and packed a duffel bag for my checked on bag. The duffel bag worked well on photo tours where several people need to stow their luggage in the boot of the travel vehicle between overnight stops, it has a small flexible footprint. No way would I pack my camera and tablet in the duffel bag with checked baggage. I'm thinking a medium sized hard sided suitcase would offer the most protection and still be reasonable in the boot of the travel vehicle. I had thought that maybe a separate small Pelican case for the electronics would be best but my travel experience tells me that it would be too much for the travel vehicle. Does anyone have a recommendation or experience as to what has worked for you? Thanks in advance for your advice.
May 29, 2017 08:05:59 #
joehel2 wrote:
It looks like the requirement that your camera, ta... (show quote)
On my last few flights, I had a compact camera and a backpack. No problems. I don't fly any more. I would never check anything but clothing.
May 29, 2017 08:10:15 #
jerryc41 wrote:
On my last few flights, I had a compact camera and a backpack. No problems. I don't fly any more. I would never check anything but clothing.
If I didn't have a foreign trip scheduled, this would have been a great year for all domestic travel. I really don't like anything electronic or expensive in checked baggage.
May 29, 2017 08:22:44 #
I wonder if Homeland plans to do anything about the looting of baggage as part of this. The criminals are no doubt licking their chops.
And then there are the gorilla baggage handlers that toss the bags.
I predict a huge outcry.
Of course the head of homeland travels on a private jet.
And then there are the gorilla baggage handlers that toss the bags.
I predict a huge outcry.
Of course the head of homeland travels on a private jet.
May 29, 2017 09:12:47 #
MtnMan wrote:
I wonder if Homeland plans to do anything about the looting of baggage as part of this.
Not their department! We'll have to establish a new government agency to oversee baggage handlers. Thousands of people and millions of dollars. APES - American Program for Equipment Security.
May 29, 2017 09:36:28 #
Mtnman - you put the blame for the problem exactly where it belongs; with the airlines. Before the terrorists acts & threats, before the TSA, the airlines drove customers to carry-on with lost, misdirected and slow baggage service. On a recent trip from Atlanta to Denver it took Frontier 56 min to get bags to customers. I had a point & shoot stolen from my bag on another trip (former AirTran). Over the years both my wife and I have had bags not arrive at a destination with us. Damage from rough handling- that too. Now, we travel lite and it stays with us.
Solution: Currently, the explosive detection equipment is back or down in the checked baggage lines. Install some at the carry-on lines. Not every passenger is traveling with multiple electronic devises. If I had to arrive another 30 min earlier to sent a bag through that equipment - no problem.
I admit that this is a worldwide problem and probably will not happen anytime soon.
Outcry: My congressman & senators are getting emails today.
Solution: Currently, the explosive detection equipment is back or down in the checked baggage lines. Install some at the carry-on lines. Not every passenger is traveling with multiple electronic devises. If I had to arrive another 30 min earlier to sent a bag through that equipment - no problem.
I admit that this is a worldwide problem and probably will not happen anytime soon.
Outcry: My congressman & senators are getting emails today.
May 29, 2017 10:08:58 #
joehel2 wrote:
It looks like the requirement that your camera, ta... (show quote)
Can you ship your gear to your destination and pick it up there?
May 29, 2017 12:21:48 #
Sure you can, but cost can be substantial. I'm also thinking about the all the people all over the world that run photo / safari tours. This mess has got to be a real kink in their livelihoods.
May 29, 2017 12:35:13 #
Dave327 wrote:
Sure you can, but cost can be substantial. I'm also thinking about the all the people all over the world that run photo / safari tours. This mess has got to be a real kink in their livelihoods.
i guess it comes down to choices (like most everything else in life). Would you rather save some money and risk having your gear stolen? Or would you rather pay more and have your gear waiting for you when you get there? The choice is yours.
May 29, 2017 13:21:23 #
Dave327 wrote:
Mtnman - you put the blame for the problem exactly... (show quote)
Charging for checked bags is what has driven the carry on glut.
Experienced travellers know that if they carry the bag and it won't fit in the space the airline will check it for free at the gate.
But the looting and damage are what cause most people to carry on electronics. Plus many business people use their laptop to work on the plane.
I doubt any such ban will last. There will be a huge public outcry.
By all means everyone write your representatives.
May 29, 2017 13:22:38 #
Mac wrote:
Can you ship your gear to your destination and pick it up there?
At great expense. Getting an iphone shipped from Africa cost a fellow traveller $100.
May 29, 2017 13:25:13 #
Mac wrote:
i guess it comes down to choices (like most everything else in life). Would you rather save some money and risk having your gear stolen? Or would you rather pay more and have your gear waiting for you when you get there? The choice is yours.
That assumes it wont get damaged or stolen with alternative shipping means. Hotel workers aren't more trustworthy than airline baggage handlers.
Your best option to protect the equipment is insurance.
But that won't save your $10,000 safari.
May 29, 2017 17:28:39 #
Dave327 wrote:
Mtnman - you put the blame for the problem exactly... (show quote)
They should actually be installed at the entry to the terminals to discourage Ft. Lauderdale/ Brussels events.
This is how we are losing the war. The terrorists cause us to spend money and accept inconvienieces on hundreds of millions of people due to the actions of a few with little investment of people or money.
We play whack-a-mole with their latest method or target...so they shift method or target.
May 30, 2017 00:04:14 #
Years ago, I checked bags with cameras, etc. Each time they were 'lost' (stolen), or damaged. After the third time, I swore it would not happen again. In the last dozen trips, I always carried electronic gear / cameras on board. I always will in future, or I will not fly.
May 30, 2017 05:38:33 #
joehel2 wrote:
It looks like the requirement that your camera, ta... (show quote)
I have done that for years, took one camera bag onboard and the other cameras went into the luggage, never had an issue! The one that I put into the luggage is a Pelican hard shell case 1600 inside a regular travel case.
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