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Protecting equipment while flying
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Mar 4, 2016 08:10:17   #
muggins88 Loc: Inverness, Florida
 
I agree.
I ship my equipment each time I travel. I carry the bare necessities for photography with me on the plane - just in case.

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Mar 4, 2016 09:56:07   #
anotherview Loc: California
 
Interesting. The chain of custody should prevent theft and damage because it apparently holds identified individuals responsible for checked luggage.
seagullmist wrote:
TO insure it gets there ask for extra insurance from the airline. When you do that they have to have each person sign for it as it passes along. You will have to sign for it at the arrival airport. I did this with some rifles and it worked. TALK TO THE AIRLINE ABOUT EXCESS VALUE INSURANCE AND SEE WHAT THE CHARGE NOW AND COMPARE TO upS/fedex.

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Mar 4, 2016 09:56:21   #
studavis
 
The only way to take camera equipment on the airline is in your body. Carry on or don't take it.

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Mar 4, 2016 09:58:05   #
Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal
 
MACT wrote:
I will be taking my entire set-up cross-country: far too much to carry-on. Any advice, past issues etc. on how to do this as hassle-free as possible?

Thanks


Can you rent the gear that you need at your definition?

Shipping the great is a good idea but it is expensive. Remember, you will have to ship it back as well.

The cheapest option is probably to have good insurance.

I have done all three and have never had an issue with any of them.

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Mar 4, 2016 10:17:30   #
authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan
 
MACT wrote:
I will be taking my entire set-up cross-country: far too much to carry-on. Any advice, past issues etc. on how to do this as hassle-free as possible?

Thanks


I have had this exact issue so unless policies have changed I know what I am talking about. Your valuable equipment is NOT safe with airlines. Your valuable equipment is subject to search at anytime, even if the have to jimmy the lock or outright cut it off and if anything is missing the airline WILL NOT be responsible. I had a camera, laptop and software packed is a very solid water proof case and LOCKED. Flew from Detroit to Daytona via Delta. When I picked up my luggage and case in Daytona, both locks were all scratched up with one being broken and the other unlocked. My software, 3 camera batteries, charger and SD cards were gone. Guess I am lucky the camera and laptop were still there. Airline claimed they were not responsible. Made a police report for what good it did. DO NOT allow the airline to handle anything expensive as they will not be responsible for breakage or theft. Ship via UPS/FedEx, at least odds are good it will arrive and if it does not the insurance will cover it.

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Mar 4, 2016 11:29:17   #
jgitomer Loc: Skippack Pennsylvania
 
MACT wrote:
I will be taking my entire set-up cross-country: far too much to carry-on. Any advice, past issues etc. on how to do this as hassle-free as possible?

Thanks


Be kind to the skycap that picks up your checkable luggage at the curb! I used to travel with a guy who treated them like dirt -- his luggage frequently went to a different destination than he did. (The classic was when he went on a trip to Europe and his luggage got "lost" two different times.)

I was always kind (and tipped well) and my luggage never got lost.

Jerry

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Mar 4, 2016 11:30:06   #
Johnj168 Loc: Granbury Texas
 
I traveled several years with a Pelican 1510. It fit the airline requirement for carry on luggage. I carried 3 cameras and 7 lenes to include a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8. The only time I couldn't carry it on was when I had to take a commuter flight. When that happened I carried it down the breeze way and gave it to a handler at the door. When we arrived the small luggage was crried into the terminal an given to us directly. My Pelican 1510 has wheels so it is pretty easy to handle.

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Mar 4, 2016 11:47:31   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
MACT wrote:
I will be taking my entire set-up cross-country: far too much to carry-on. Any advice, past issues etc. on how to do this as hassle-free as possible?

Thanks


You have not listed what you are taking or why. I believe this is essential to fully understanding your needs. I take a lot of gear all packed into four carry on Tenba bags, two for wife and two for me, no shipping, no notifications, no baggage handlers, no costly upgrades to first class. Our two suitcases travel for free. I use smaller tenbas that are easy to carry.

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Mar 4, 2016 12:26:51   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
jerryc41 wrote:
Locks are useless.
I don't know if I was more shocked or caused to laugh when I visited a pawn shop with a stack of bolt cutters for sale.

Bolt cutters are as out of date as DSLRS (grinning here!). The compact mirrorless version is a Makita 18 volt angle grinder with cutoff blade hooked to the tool belt on a guy wearing a hard hat, Carharts and yellow vest with some company's logo on it.

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Mar 4, 2016 13:30:14   #
jaycoffman Loc: San Diego
 
I have to go with the people who say ship it or find a way to get the most important pieces in your carry on. TSA is not to be trusted and even if you file a claim it's a long tedious process with little chance of recovering the value of what you lost.

While not photo equipment I once shipped a specialty bottle of rum in my checked luggage--seal in tact. Upon opening my bag I found less than one inch of rum remaining--these people do play games.

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Mar 4, 2016 14:47:39   #
Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio
 
I'd agree with the shipping idea but wanted to add this:

I JUST came back from a trip out west - Detroit to Vegas on Delta. As we were waiting to board the plane, they announced they couldn't accommodate all the carry on luggage and some will have to be checked. Luckily, I was one of the first to board, so I was able to get a spot. However, they were planning on (and I think they did) check everyone's luggage in Zone 2.

So, even if you think carry on is a safe way to go, there's a chance you could be forced to check your gear - especially if it's in a roller bag.

I think my days of airline travel are numbered, back to driving everywhere :)

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Mar 4, 2016 14:54:07   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
chase4 wrote:
Look at Pelican cases.



:thumbup: That's what I'm using. When I travel, visiting other countries, I'll take usually 3 bodies and about 10 or so lenses with me, as well as a bunch of flashes and accessories!

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Mar 4, 2016 16:12:34   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
Don't worry about your equipment while they're in the air....it's when they hit that's the problem.

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Mar 4, 2016 16:51:36   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
SteveR wrote:
Don't worry about your equipment while they're in the air....it's when they hit that's the problem.


:thumbup: :thumbup:

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Mar 4, 2016 16:59:47   #
steveo52 Loc: Rhode Island and Ocala Florida
 
Johnj168 wrote:
I traveled several years with a Pelican 1510. It fit the airline requirement for carry on luggage. My Pelican 1510 has wheels so it is pretty easy to handle.


Plus one it's an excellent case!

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