Domestic flight flying with camera: I will be flying domestically via Spirit airlines and want to bring my DSLR w/18-135 and a 100-400 lens. Suggestions on the best way to do this? I...

XC guy Loc: Stillwater, Mn

I will be flying domestically via Spirit airlines and want to bring my DSLR w/18-135 and a 100-400 lens. Suggestions on the best way to do this? I have a small backpack that fit the camera and 18-135 and thought of using that as my personal carryon bag and putting the 100-400 in the check baggage. I also have a Thinktank digital holster that holds both. I'm guessing the camera and lenses will get looked at. Any ideas are appreciated.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I use one carry-on suitcase for placement in the overhead compartment and one personal bag which was my messenger photo bag, for under the seat. Two items. (even to Iceland)
If I could fit it, I'd put the long lens in the carry-on suitcase.
Never in checked baggage.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

I just flew to Fiji and took my Nikon D500, Tamron 16-300 and Nikor 200-500 lens. I used my Nikon camera bag to place the large 200-500 lens in and just called that my purse, then my backpack was my carry on item with the rest of my camera gear. I would not put my lens in a checked bag. I fly domestic at least twice a year and I have watched how the bags are handled going into the planes and being taken off...they are not handled with care in anyway.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

XC guy wrote:

I will be flying domestically via Spirit airlines and want to bring my DSLR w/18-135………

Don’t try to protect the items from being examined. They will. In fact all electronics are examined. Place ALL your gear in a case or bag. Select a case or bag that will fit in the overhead compartment or under your seat. By the way get to the airport at least 2-3 hours before the flight to prepare for contingencies.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Longshadow wrote:

I use one carry-on suitcase for placement in the overhead compartment and one personal bag which was my messenger photo bag, for under the seat. Two items. (even to Iceland)
If I could fit it, I'd put the long lens in the carry-on suitcase.
Never in checked baggage.

I did that until about four years ago when I sprung for a Pelican case that holds everything I'm concerned about.

My very reasonably priced homeowners policy rider alleviates my paranoia and I enjoy the freedom of not carrying or being concerned about where in the overhead my bags end up. (I watched this dance on four flights and two airlines in the last month alone.) Also, isle seats often do not accommodate much of a bag under the seat.

george19

Longshadow wrote:

I use one carry-on suitcase for placement in the overhead compartment and one personal bag which was my messenger photo bag, for under the seat. Two items. (even to Iceland)
If I could fit it, I'd put the long lens in the carry-on suitcase.
Never in checked baggage.

Absolutely agree. I have a Lowepro backpack style, about the largest that will fit the overhead bin. Put as much stuff in there as you can.

I use a reusable shopping bag or canvas sack as my personal item, but fill it from the backpack after security with things I want on the flight…or carry separately if your stuff is too bulky (iPad, phone, book, headphones).

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Longshadow wrote:

Never in checked baggage.

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

I flew to Italy last month and took my camera bag as a carryon. I had a camera, three lenses, and other assorted items in there, including three batteries. The bag was scanned at security but never manually inspected. By the way, lithium batteries should always be in carryon, never in checked, per the TSA website.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Dont ever place camera gear in “checked bags” that go into the baggage compartment

JBRIII

My wife and I before Covid and some since have flown domesticly and overseas with lots of cameras, i.e., some for eclipse, some for snorkeling, etc. They rarely care unless so much gear is in the bag they can't readily recognize what's there. Germany did require everything electronic be removed from a backpack (all electronics). Once or twice in S. America, I believe, we were told we had too many cameras (2 gopro types, two other underwater, two Canon), apparently some limit per person, just calmly said, we are doing X, Y and Z and went on our way, no problems.

As stated by others, no Lithium batteries in checked baggage, I assume this includes fixed, internal batteries in pads, etc. Some cameras also have non-removable batteries. We put tripods, etc. in checked bags.

CliffMcKenzie Loc: Lake Athens Texas

Step 1 - do not fly Spirit Air...if you are confused go to Step 2. Step 2 - refer to Step 1.

I fly with a Think Tank backpack and a "personal carry on"...another backpack. One backpack has camera equipment and the other has a computer. I place both bags in the overhead (6'5" - Size 15 shoe). No airline wants the liability of either bag. US\International travel has not been an issue.

photoman43

I do NOT recommend placing the zoom lens in your checked baggage. Place all cameras and lenses in carry on baggage. You are entitled to two items. One in the overhead and one under your seat. I usually take a backpack for the overhead and a messenger bag for under the seat. This has worked for me for flights in the US and to Africa for photo safaris. And make sure you tell the bag screener what your carry on bags contain and follow their instructions regarding whether the items stay in the bags or have to be screened separately.

My favorite messenger bag is the GuraGear Chobe bag. It holds a laptop as well as camera stuff. Any inexpensive backpack can carry your camera gear. If you want to buy a new photo backpack, check out any of the bags made by ThinkTank especially their Mindshift line.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I use a photo backpack for my photo equipment. It goes in the overhead bin. No issues.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I use a gym bag and put my photo gear and my meds in it. It doesn't scream "expensive camera stuff". I use it as my carry-on. So far, they haven't opened the bag to inspect it.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

XC guy wrote:

I will be flying domestically via Spirit airlines and want to bring my DSLR w/18-135 and a 100-400 lens. Suggestions on the best way to do this? I have a small backpack that fit the camera and 18-135 and thought of using that as my personal carryon bag and putting the 100-400 in the check baggage. I also have a Thinktank digital holster that holds both. I'm guessing the camera and lenses will get looked at. Any ideas are appreciated.

Look up Spirit Airline's personal and carry-on item travel restrictions. If you can meet them, you should have no problems. When I travel, I look up the restrictions every time (they change from time to time). Lufthansa was the hardest to meet for me. They had a weight restriction of 20 pounds. Since I was carrying two bodies, five lenses, and accessories, I had to move my battery chargers to my check-in luggage to meet the 20 pound limit. Luckily I still had a little more room, weight wise, in my check-in luggage.