gwilliams6

NO,NO,NO never put lenses and/or cameras into checked baggage, never. I can't tell you how many folks have had camera equipment missing from their checked baggage. At the most I will check tripods and light stands, but never cameras,lenses or lighting equipment.

A recent photographer was late getting to her plane and there was no room left to put her carry-on with her cameras in the overhead. The flight attendants demanding she check the bag. She protested, but the flight crew was adamant that all would be fine and her cameras would be there waiting for her at her destination. She relented and allowed them to check the bag with her gear. Well the gear was never seen again, and the airline has not offered anything above $200 for her $12,000 of gear that some baggage handler probably has now. She had missed a payment on her gear insurance. So she is out of luck.

You may have gotten away with doing that for years, but gear goes missing from checked baggage all over the world. You realize when they scan your bags they see the equipment, as well as they have TSA keys to open any TSA-approved luggage locks .

If you insist on checking your cameras or lenses, be sure you carry full insurance for theft and damage that is international. ( from a pro of over 40+ years in the business)

sierra 23

All good information. The camera body, all lenses, and batteries come with me on board along with external hard drive and computer. I use a Scotte Vest that has 32 pockets. If I travel on smaller air planes I fill the vest pockets with everything if the carry on is not allowed. I just have to move slowly. I have had up to 25 lbs in the vest and never a question. I also use a small pack that has built in snap hooks on all of the zippers. It has a computer compartment and a file area. It opens like suitcase so you can find stuff easily and you are not digging down into a black hole. I also put all batteries in plastic clear boxes where they are not loose and touching each other. The camera batteries keep the plastic cover on them. The pack is nice because I just lay it down and open it up and most of the equipment is exposed. The lenses all go in neoprene pouches. I make sure none of my luggage screams "expensive equipment". The vest I got @ scottevest.com and the pack is a Travelon - many to choose from - the one I described is the top one. Also there is a web page out that has a listing for all airlines and lists their bag restrictions. onetravel.com/travel/baggage-fees/? ...... Hope this helps.

Dossile

I have to agree. Never check anything of value, particularly camera gear. I had a nice $125 Titleist wedge stolen from my checked golf bag. I shutter to think how many minutes past checkin a camera or lens made by Canon would stay in your bag. I have safely checked a tripod, but those are tougher to stick in a thief's backpack.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

If you don't want to check with the airlines for the carry on requirements for your particular flight, are afraid of the possibility of having to check equipment at the gate, don't wish to acquire proper containers, don't desire to appropriately insure your equipment, then I suggest that you ship your equipment or leave it home where it can be safe.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Let's not bash TSA agents. They have a hard job enough. Whomever decides your camera equipment should be theirs, they should be exposed to bright lights and have tripods inserted in all available orifices for a period of time that the owner deems appropriate. With that being written, I treat my camera and equipment as if it were my child. I am extremely protective of all of it. So a good rule of operation is do what it takes to keep your equipment at your side and at the ready. Tripods are difficult to carry on board a plane. Packing them in a checked baggage may be a good option. If lost, stolen or damaged, just find a nearby camera store and buy a new one. Reduce your equipment burden to as much as you feel you can. Check all airline regulations early and get to the gate at least 2 hours earlier. That way you can resolve problems in an expeditious manner. Have a safe flight.
Happy Shooting!

repleo Loc: Boston

25 lbs of lenses stuffed into 32 vest pockets might look like a suicide bomber to some nervous, trigger happy law enforcement agent. I think I would rather trust my luck with the baggage handlers than risk my life walking into an airport like that.

Haydon

I agree with you for the most part. Unfortunately, some of us also spend a lot of money on our tripods as well and it might not be quite as easy to just go to a store and get another one as a replacement. I have my equipment insured but I always offer a small prayer when packing it into checked baggage. My gitzo isn't practical for carry on.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

TSA agents are grossly underpaid given the nature and importance of the work. Typically around 35-45K per year. Lower for new hires who are in "D" band at 25-38K. And they are not getting the benefits airline employees get like free flights. Or the tips that skycaps get. OK they are better off than airport concession workers, but just about everybody is.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Interesting point. I would hate to end a photo jaunt before it begins!

sierra 23

very good advice. I personally travel internationally with underwater photography equipment to many remote corners of this earth. It isn’t only thieves we must be concerned about but it is how the luggage is handled. Having your expensive glass and cameras by your side @ all times assures that they will still be by your side and in good condition when you arrive @ your destination.

marine73 Loc: Modesto California

You also have to know which class you will be setting in. One Airline has a basic economy class which allows one carry on only. This does not mean one carry on and one personal item, it means one carry on period.

I have never had TSA ask be to turn on my cameras whether I was pre check or not. I am currently using a manfroto backpack and it fits under the seat. Since I fly standby I am always the last to board if there are any seats remaining. I just spent three days trying to get back from OK flying out of Whichita KS, Finally had my son pick me and my wife up the afternoon of the second day and we flew out of OKC on the third day and we got first class seats and breakfast.

So if you ever see someone boarding last minute it will 99.99% of the time be a standby person getting the last seat and it will probably be the worst seat on the plane.

aardq

Since last year, the FAA has established industry wide standards for carry on bags in the US. If you check at an airport today, all carriers have the same size "check bin" for carry on bags.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

They most certainly do not and there are explanations within this thread that can be verified by calling the carrier you are flying with.

aardq

Then you and I fly out of different airports, because at the 3 that I've used since last fall, including McCarran in Vegas, all the carriers have the same size carry on limits. I asked two of the carriers and was told that the FAA changed the rules.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but some folks may be disappointed at the gate with that assumption. United Express and others that use airlines with smaller jets have different rules. On some flights, your so called normal carry-on will be gate checked due to their smaller size restrictions. I have two such flights booked and know of a couple who have had this experience with other carriers. Again, I recommend calling your particular carrier and specifically check the requirements for the specific aircraft that will be used. As someone pointed out, the often used Canadian built are known for this.

I use a Pelican case...