Do you trust airlines with your camera gear as luggage?
Mar 26, 2017 08:15:48 #
Have status with an airline so i board first and ensure my bag finds a home in the overhead. Fits in the 2x2 jets and the jumbos. Have over 12k of equipment in it . If they wont let me board with it...i wont fly. Got a scare heading to Guatemala when they said my bag was over the 22lbs limit for a carry on. (First time in 25years of flying they weighed my carry on !). In this case it was not my normal carrier but i was flying business class so i educated the attendant on their airlines allowances for bizclass and was able to board. (Know the rules). Thinking about pelican case now as that scare is waking me up...
Mar 26, 2017 08:20:56 #
mikebevans1 wrote:
Do not trust the airlines. I bought a backpack gear bag and it holds a 7D, 7D mkll both with battery grips, 100-400, 70-200, 18-135 and a 10-18, 2 black rapid straps and a mono pod. It is heavy as hell but I would rather suffer a bit than let them have it.
Ditto
Mar 26, 2017 08:24:07 #
capetownrio wrote:
Hi, I know that not all flights require checking your camera gear as luggage. But with flights now coming in to the USA from some Afircan/ ME countries - which I go to for shoots, I worry about my gear. I also worry that this is going to expand with all the crazy things happening in the world? What do you think?
Absolutely not!!
Mar 26, 2017 08:27:51 #
DaveHam
Loc: Reading UK
It is up to you to pack it properly. If you just put it in your bag it will be at risk; use a soft carry case in your suitcase and pack it out firmly (socks, TShirts); it will be fine. Our systems are too big to hand carry conveniently so we have been consigning them to the luggage hold for ten years on trips to Africa and Europe. Never a problem. Whereas with hand luggage we did have a problem when some moron with an oversized cabin bag insisted on mashing it into a camera bag in the overhead locker and broke a D800 for which he duly paid.
Mar 26, 2017 08:37:22 #
seagullmist
Loc: Niantic CT
Its time to buy insurance. Umbrella policy that covers all checked bags. I carry all my photo stuff in the cabin but just bought insurance incase they tell me I have to check it. Cost me $70.00 for a year and if they lose it I get replacement.
I will not give up my traveling.
I will not give up my traveling.
Mar 26, 2017 08:37:49 #
capetownrio wrote:
Hi, I know that not all flights require checking your camera gear as luggage. But with flights now coming in to the USA from some Afircan/ ME countries - which I go to for shoots, I worry about my gear. I also worry that this is going to expand with all the crazy things happening in the world? What do you think?
You should worry. It is not only pilferage, but mishandling and misdirection
Traveled to Japan with my wife a few years ago. We got there, but her bag did not. After fussing and filling out a form or two, we headed for our lodging, which was about four hours from the airport. Two days later, the airline found her luggage. It had been shipped to Paris, France. They had the chutzpah (Brass balls) to ask us to come to the airport to get it. We finally talked to a supervisor and got them to send it to us in Kisarazu.
Now they charge for checking a bag and they've even begun to charge to put anything in the overhead bins. As if flying had not become onerous enough.
Mar 26, 2017 08:37:50 #
breck
Loc: Derbyshire UK
No way, lost too much in the past, and had too much damaged , not much of a choice, stolen or broken is it . Not so worried about the present ban but like shoes, liquids etc I expect it to grow covering everywhere in a years time
Mar 26, 2017 08:41:44 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
A woman last year on this forum had her camera gear stolen by Airline Baggage Personnel. TSAs steal too. ABCs Nightline a few years ago caught several stealing with a secret camera. Mostly laptops and tablets. One TSA was fired from his job for stealing. Don't know if all were?
Mar 26, 2017 08:41:50 #
" Do I TRUST WHO WITH WHAT ?" That was GREAT for a laugh this morning. Ohhhhhh, really LOVE your sense of Humor!!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Mar 26, 2017 08:43:41 #
I'm thinking that from now on when I am flying with my camera & lenses, I am going to flat pack a few sheets of bubble wrap just in case the rules get changed in the midst of my trip because although it may have been a carry-on item going, it may be classified a checked item coming back.
Mar 26, 2017 08:49:07 #
mikegreenwald
Loc: Illinois
I appear to be the odd man out on this one. I have checked camera equipment on US and international flights several times a year for the last six plus years, since I turned 70 y.o. I carry one camera and two lenses aboard as an essential backup to loss, and I always use sturdy protective gear because of rough handling. So far, so good - no lost or damaged gear.
Mar 26, 2017 09:04:29 #
Retina
Loc: Near Charleston,SC
Theft from checked luggage is not rare because it is hard for passengers to prove and hard for airlines to investigate. It is best to assume that an attractive item of value in checked luggage has a pretty good chance of being stolen.
Mar 26, 2017 09:06:04 #
Wow things are changing so fast. I am about to make a 9000 mile trip to the Philippines and taking three different flights to get there. My worry is I have to check in some of my gear in my suitcases to get it all shipped to stay under the carry on limit of 30 LBS. They are making it almost impossible to safely get all things to your destination with out some one stealing your equipment. I am buying extra insurance just in case of lost bags. Does any one know of a good insurance company? Also I am concerned about putting battery's in to the checked bags. They are saying in the instructions for the air craft I am flying on the no lithium battery's are permitted. Any one have a reading on this?
Jerry
Jerry
Mar 26, 2017 09:07:49 #
DaveHam
Loc: Reading UK
It does seem a lot of people experience loss or damage - maybe a few tips will help.
Pack carefully. Just throwing something in your suitcase is not a good idea.
Write your baggage label carefully and legibly.
Have the baggage wrapped in film at the airport.
Use good quality luggage, not a canvas type bag.
My travel usually involves three bodies, lenses up to 600mm and enough electronics to set up a small shop. In over 50 trips I have never had a problem with my camera equipment checking my baggage. A few simple precautions is all that is necessary. Try it. You might be surprised.
Pack carefully. Just throwing something in your suitcase is not a good idea.
Write your baggage label carefully and legibly.
Have the baggage wrapped in film at the airport.
Use good quality luggage, not a canvas type bag.
My travel usually involves three bodies, lenses up to 600mm and enough electronics to set up a small shop. In over 50 trips I have never had a problem with my camera equipment checking my baggage. A few simple precautions is all that is necessary. Try it. You might be surprised.
Mar 26, 2017 09:13:29 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I don't trust airlines with anything, including getting me to my destination safely. I think my flying days are over.
I feel the same way. Going to a wedding in June that is in Colorado and we will be driving, just to avoid the hassles of flying and the fact of carrying all my camera gear. ( I have a bad back) I don't trust the airlines with my equipment or my regular baggage.
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