 David Earls |
camera bags on airplanes Planning a trip to the Low Country of South Carolina in a week; going to take a fairly full camera kit with me. Backpack will include one camera body, four lenses, assorted filters and accessories, flash, etc. Everything goes into a backpack for carry-on. Has anyone experienced any difficulties carrying camera equipment onto the airplane. I'm not planning on using the camera in-flight, but I'm unwilling to check several thousand dollars worth of camera equipment in a soft-sided backpack as baggage.
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Sylvia Rossler |
Don't know about the US - I made two trips last year with my big photo-bag and I had no problems taking them with me into the plane...Even on the airport of Mombasa they only asked me what is in my bag and they allowed me to take it in-and they are very strong ruled in Kenya!
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Christopher A. Vedros |
I've never had any trouble carrying a camera backpack onto a plane. X-rays are no problem for digital cameras, but you probably knew that. You might want to check your airline's website to see what dimensions limits they have for carryons, if your backpack is bulky. I haven't had to remove any camera equipment from my bag during at the security checkpoint, but if you have a laptop, you will have to take it out of its case. Chris
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Christopher A. Vedros |
I've never had any trouble carrying a camera backpack onto a plane. X-rays are no problem for digital cameras, but you probably knew that. You might want to check your airline's website to see what dimensions limits they have for carryons, if your backpack is bulky. I haven't had to remove any camera equipment from my bag during at the security checkpoint, but if you have a laptop, you will have to take it out of its case. Chris
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David Earls |
Thanks Sylvia and Chris. I was having nightmares about having to unscrew the stacked filters, breaking the extension tubes down - and on and on. The last time I flew was back from a trip to the Napa Valley, and security wouldn't let me keep the souvenir corkscrew I bought at one of the wineries.
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Stan Lubach |
David, you'll probably want to leave compressed air canisters at home, too.
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Kay Beausoleil |
David, I second what Chris says -- check the website because each airline seems to have a different take on hand baggage. Since Sept 11, I haven't flown to the US, but in Canada and in Europe, my camera stuff didn't bother them; my cellphone did. Had to prove it was a working phone.
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Christopher A. Vedros |
That's a very good point, Stan. I don't usually carry compressed air in my bag, but I wouldn't have thought about leaving it home, either. Chris
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Denyse Clark |
I flew from western NY to NYC, then to a few places in Europe last year with my SLR, multiple lenses, film, etc and I didn't have any trouble. They DID look through my bag, but it wasn't any more of a hassle than the rest of the bag searches. DEFINATELY don't check the equipment because of the value like you said.
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Kay Beausoleil |
Absolutely, Chris. A picture to have in mind when packing: at Chicago-O'Hare quite some time ago, I watched from the waiting area in horror as a baggage handler lifted each bag over his head and slammed it onto the conveyor belt going into the plane.
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David Earls |
Thanks, everyone - this is very helpful, and my panic attack has subsided. Just out of curiosity, does anybody know if it's legal to pack canned air in a checked bag? I'm going to be shooting outdoors a lot, and I do like canned air for blowing dust off the lenses.
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Mark Feldstein |
Well, technically, compressed air isn't really an aerosol so it should be permitted in checked bags. If you ask the airlines, they'll probably say no. But I travel nearly every week and pack cans of dustoff all the time. As for your original question, Richard Strum is a fellow photojournalist who also makes and sells camera and lens travel gear, bags, packs, etc. If you look at his website, http://www.kinesisgear.com you'll find a fairly up to date airline survey of "underseat" sizing requirements that may save you some time and headaches. Take it light.
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