alby Loc: very eastern pa.

my son Fedex's all, his baggage, insures it just in case... proper timing and it's all there when needed... doesn't go foreign often but so far no problem

Gort55 Loc: Northern Colorado

That's why I switched to MFT. My cameras and lenses fit in a backpack that goes under the seat in front of me. I don't trust the airlines with a larger carry-on that they might want to check at the gate if the overhead bins are full.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

To simply answer the question posed in your title, NO.
--Bob

anotherview Loc: California

My dear sister had her point-and-shoot camera stolen from her baggage checked for an airline flight.

This citizen gets the impression that the airlines ignore employee theft from checked baggage as a matter of their business model. It would cost too much to police and punish their employees to put a stop to theft. So the airlines instead absorb claims for items lost or stolen from checked baggage, because this approach costs less. Besides, people fly anyway for the speed and convenience. The airlines in effect serve a captive audience.

The federal government regulates the airlines. A simple fix here might include triple damages atop full replacement of the lost or stolen items. Then stopping employee theft behavior would prove less costly.

Of course this policy would require both the flier and the airline to do a preflight inventory of checked baggage to document items for replacement and fines if inventoried items become lost or stolen.

When I flew out of Europe a few years ago, a private service in the airport offered to wrap luggage tightly with a clear plastic sheet to discourage easy access to checked luggage. I bought this wrapping. This technique may present an option here.

The beancounters now dictate policy regarding theft from checked baggage.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

In a word NO
I did read an article by a Photographer and world traveler, he carried his equipment in a very old tattered and heavy duty suitcase, he never had a problem with theft or attempted theft, but that was thirty years ago. A locked Pelican case is an invitation to a thief, it says "HEY LOOK at Me".
If I were to travel over seas my carry on would be 2-camera bodies , 3 0r 4 lens batteries, charger,and an current converter, a note book or tablet and 2 SS HDs. one pair of socks, one pair of shoes and a change of underwear.
For any needed clothing I would buy what I needed at a thrift or resale shop, or just wash out my clothing every evening,
When leaving for home I would leave all purchased items for as an extra tip where ever I was staying.
This is not my idea, I saw it in a travelog by another world traveler. It just make good sense.
Quite a few yrs ago I was on a flight to Reno, was told my Zero Halburton case was to big for carry on, had to check it. Had to change planes in Salt lake city, arrived at Reno, oops no luggage, they did manage to find it and get it to the hotel the next day. Return trip: sitting in the terminal, attendant ask If I was planning the case was for carry on, I calmly looked at and said Damn right, second attendant told it was too large , after a bit of wrangling they agreed to hand carry my case to the luggage hold, retrieve it In SLC and do the same in St.Louis. Today I would have been arrested, I was a complete ass, but I got back home with my gear.
Today if I can drive then I don't go.

speakdolphin

I absolutely do not trust any airlines with my gear. I use carry-on in small pelican cases.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

Depending on what i need, i usually rent in country or ship the gear back and forth. This is expensive, but it makes international flights, especially ones with lots of connections, a lot less hassle.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have seen the rough handling of luggage at airports.
No, I do not trust them when it comes to carry photo gear as checked luggage.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I agree. Mine is. Not that expensive.
Mark

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Like the photographer to whom you referred I use this for traveling with my camera equipment. It fits under the seat and looks less attractive than branded camera bags. Been using this for over 7 years.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-349254-1.html#5868432

--Bob

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I always have checked-in some camera gear,, because I can not take it all into carry-on, so far I never had any problems!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

SO FAR

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Carry it on.

Ricker Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

My answer is, "Nope", but I continue shipping my expensive camera gear in my checked luggage. The most annoying thing is to find that someone has opened the TSA locks on the suitcase containing my camera gear, messed up and often rearranged the contents and then closed the suitcase, sometimes with something hanging partway out of the suitcase. I don't have a solution to this problem. Best regards, Ricker

stevebein

This is why I went from my 45# Canon full frame, system to an Olympus Micro 4/3 system for travel. From 45# to 10 1/2# including the fanny pack.. Some compromise in low light situations, but all in all, I can print 24x36" with no issues. It all fit in a fanny pack, no carry on issues with it then, but now, with one leg of that trip falling in the "can not carry rules" and I would re route my trip to avoid it. Weight and size was convenient, quality surprising.