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Dec 30, 2018 22:56:49   #
Rickilu52
 
I'm hoping to travel to Miami, FL to visit relatives in March. Past air travel I used a photo backpack with a camera body, one or two lenses and medications. I'd like to take more lenses, SB 800 flash and a tripod. I don't think I can get all this using carry-on luggage. I'm sure others have had similar concerns. Any suggestions for alternative shipping for my equipment to avoid damage or theft? Thanks.๐Ÿ˜Š

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Dec 30, 2018 23:15:38   #
latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS
 
Rickilu52 wrote:
I'm hoping to travel to Miami, FL to visit relatives in March. Past air travel I used a photo backpack with a camera body, one or two lenses and medications. I'd like to take more lenses, SB 800 flash and a tripod. I don't think I can get all this using carry-on luggage. I'm sure others have had similar concerns. Any suggestions for alternative shipping for my equipment to avoid damage or theft? Thanks.๐Ÿ˜Š


Do a search. You will find lots of recommendations. Wear a photovest with lots of pockets. Place stuff in those pockets. It might be a little challence with a 600 mm lens.

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Dec 30, 2018 23:21:08   #
Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA
 
Use yourpack back as a carry on. Iโ€™ve taken my body & 5 lenses plus some personal items (in case something happens to my checked bag). I pack my tripod (travel size) in my checked bag. Iโ€™m a frequent flyer on 2 airlines and have never had to pay for a checked bag or carry-on. Do not part with you camera and lenses as a checked bag. If your flying on small regional jet, my backpack does fit in the small overhead or in a pinch, under the seat. My backpack is a lowepro flipside sport.

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Dec 31, 2018 00:20:54   #
stevefrankel
 
I now place my expensive or essential photo gear into a camera bag that I fit into a Samsonite Under-seat Spinner bag (around $70) that will fit under-the-seat, and also stores my meds and iPad Pro. I then pack the remaining gear into either a 20" carry-on bag, along with my clothes and toiletries; or into a 25" spinner that I ship. The under-seat spinner qualifies as my second smaller carry-on since it doesn't have to go in the overhead.

This is a terrific strategy since if they decide to weigh the spinner (an increasingly common occurrence), I can always sling the camera bag over my shoulder or give it to my wife to place in a canvas bag that's her second carry-on item. Also, everything rolls and stacks on each other in the terminal and on the street. Also, once I'm on the plane, the camera bag goes back into the spinner where it's hidden out of sight.

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Dec 31, 2018 00:25:21   #
wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
 
Rickilu52 wrote:
I'm hoping to travel to Miami, FL to visit relatives in March. Past air travel I used a photo backpack with a camera body, one or two lenses and medications. I'd like to take more lenses, SB 800 flash and a tripod. I don't think I can get all this using carry-on luggage. I'm sure others have had similar concerns. Any suggestions for alternative shipping for my equipment to avoid damage or theft? Thanks.๐Ÿ˜Š


UPS, FedEx, etc. can deliver your "excess" equipment ahead of your trip.

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Dec 31, 2018 05:35:58   #
nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ
 
I use a LowePro Flipside 500AW which holds 5 lenses, including a 150-600, flash, body, batteries, memory cards, etc. It fits in the overhead bin with no problem. I usually take a monopod instead of a tripod.

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Dec 31, 2018 07:27:55   #
traderjohn Loc: New York City
 
wdross wrote:
UPS, FedEx, etc. can deliver your "excess" equipment ahead of your trip.


Excess is a good word.

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Dec 31, 2018 07:31:02   #
ronichas Loc: Long Island
 
Just an fyi...if they tell you, that you must check your camera bag at the gate...tell them you have lithium batteries that can't go under the plane!
I also travel a lot by plane. I put as much as I can carry in my backpack. Then I use a small rolling carry on, with my lenses wrapped in the lens wraps. I have even used bubble wrap. I have never had a problem. I always take the lenses off the 2 bodies, just in case of severe movement in the plane.

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Dec 31, 2018 07:43:48   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
wdross wrote:
UPS, FedEx, etc. can deliver your "excess" equipment ahead of your trip.


Will the equipment really be safer traveling that way compared to on the same plane with you as check-in luggage? I'm not so sure. Will cost a great deal more, that's for sure.

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Dec 31, 2018 07:55:10   #
protseq Loc: Delaware
 
rook2c4 wrote:
Will the equipment really be safer traveling that way compared to on the same plane with you as check-in luggage? I'm not so sure. Will cost a great deal more, that's for sure.


UPS and FedEx 'lose' shipments once in awhile. Just be careful and make sure insurance covers any losses. I was a shipping clerk in my last job.

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Dec 31, 2018 07:56:36   #
Haymaker
 
Rickilu52 wrote:
I'm hoping to travel to Miami, FL to visit relatives in March. Past air travel I used a photo backpack with a camera body, one or two lenses and medications. I'd like to take more lenses, SB 800 flash and a tripod. I don't think I can get all this using carry-on luggage. I'm sure others have had similar concerns. Any suggestions for alternative shipping for my equipment to avoid damage or theft? Thanks.๐Ÿ˜Š


I took the head off my tripod and it fit diagonally in my carry on suitcase with clothing and such. The backpack held two camera bodies, three lenses, flash, & accessories and was my under the seat personal item. It was a week long trip.

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Dec 31, 2018 07:59:59   #
Bobby123
 
My best suggestion is to put in your carryon only those items that are expensive (bodies, long lenses) and ship all the rest by UPS or FedEx in a hard case. I shipped film holders and my tripod back from the west coast and it worked very well. If you want a bigger thrill, try taking 4x5 film through the TSA without them opening the box!

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Dec 31, 2018 09:50:19   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
Rickilu52 wrote:
I'm hoping to travel to Miami, FL to visit relatives in March. Past air travel I used a photo backpack with a camera body, one or two lenses and medications. I'd like to take more lenses, SB 800 flash and a tripod. I don't think I can get all this using carry-on luggage. I'm sure others have had similar concerns. Any suggestions for alternative shipping for my equipment to avoid damage or theft? Thanks.๐Ÿ˜Š


As far as your Tripod, you might check to see how much it would cost if you packaged it in a U.S.P.S. Priority mail box made for a tripod sized object, which you can obtain at your local P.O. ( Weight & Size.)
You are only allowed so much carry-on luggage on a plane, choose wisely, think of what exactly you hope to accomplish Photographically while on your trip to Miami.
The more you take, the more you "Could" lose or be stolen. (Chose Wisely).
Do you even NEED a Tripod? How much will you be using it?
Buy a cheap Tripod on Amazon and have it shipped to your destination address. ( might not be much more that U.S.P.S. shipping cost.)
Maybe your relatives in Miami know someone you could borrow a Tripod from for a few days.

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Dec 31, 2018 09:52:14   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
Silverman wrote:
As far as your Tripod, you might check to see how much it would cost if you packaged it in a U.S.P.S. Priority mail box made for a tripod sized object, which you can obtain at your local P.O. ( Weight & Size.)
You are only allowed so much carry-on luggage on a plane, choose wisely, think of what exactly you hope to accomplish Photographically while on your trip to Miami.
The more you take, the more you "Could" lose or be stolen. (Chose Wisely).
Do you even NEED a Tripod? How much will you be using it?
Buy a cheap Tripod on Amazon and have it shipped to your destination address. ( might not be much more that U.S.P.S. shipping cost.)
Maybe your relatives in Miami know someone you could borrow a Tripod from for a few days.
As far as your Tripod, you might check to see how ... (show quote)


When and if I go to Florida, I will Drive, then I can take whatever my Heart desires!

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Dec 31, 2018 10:27:25   #
Pattilu
 
I ship important things like my camera and other items I donโ€™t want to check or carry on via The UPS Store. They will send it directly to the hotel or where youโ€™re staying and it can get a pack and ship guarantee for replacement cost and all your shipping back. Just an idea

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