Please comment briefly on your airline travel camera packing strategy.

Please comment briefly on your airline travel camera packing strategy.
Yes I usually cut down on lenses, flash etc. so I can travel without hassles.
65% (80 votes)
I have an airline standard rolling backpack or pack that usually lets me take everything I want.
34% (42 votes)
I have a secure, heavy-duty check-in container that allows me to check my cameras as luggage so I can take all the gear I need.
2% (2 votes)
Total votes: 124

COMMENTS
Charles Valenzuela's picture

It's the reason that I've stopped flying if I don't have to. I need my equipment, and I don't want it stolen or damaged by baggage monkeys. Not to mention total destruction of my check-in cases and case replacement needed every 3rd or 4th trip.

martha22's picture

I understand your pain but sometimes you just can't avoid flying. Knowing that your camera is safely packed can make flying less uncomfortable, and for that I use a special suitcase to keep it protected. I haven't had any unpleasant surprises ever since I started using it.

hussy12's picture

Branded PC Nehru Place shutterbug is a site which is very famous for review of images.it can help to every one.

Johnnyboi54's picture

What a hassle ! It's not American Grand moms and Grand dads that are the terrorists. It's obvious Who is doing the terrorizing, and the American public are the ones being scrutinized! Doesn't make much sense!

Dudley Harris's picture

I wear one of those dorky photo vests. You can stuff a ton of stuff in one of those. Airlines don't count it as carryon.

Phillip Kelly's picture

On my last trip, the airline was so full that I had to let them take one of my carry-ons and put it in the baggage. I kept my camera and laptop with me in the cabin, but I see that air travel may never be the same with all the terrorism now a part of our existence.

Dee's picture

The tripod doesn't fit in the rolling pack and must be put in a checked bag. Otherwise I would be traveling lite.

Ken's picture

I also pack my tripod and laptop into my hard side suitcase.

Bob's picture

I also will ship any extra gear I need by FedEx to the hotel I am staying at & avoid the airlines carryon & baggage problems. Several years ago my monopod was denied carryon by TSA fortunately I had arrived early enough to be able to put it into checked baggage. Normally I never put anything into checked baggage of any value since there is a very high theft rate by the various handlers.

Sherry Morgan's picture

This has become a real problem. Checking even a heavy duty container does not protect one from theft. We need to work with the airlines such that examined photo gear can travel with the owner and also such that the owner can take their necessary items like meds and a change of clothes on the airplane. If not, then they need to accept full responsibility for the items that they check and be sure they are protected and that they arrive with the passenger.

MaryAnn Luedtke's picture

I never check my cameras so am limited to gear that can be safely packed in my carry-on camera bag. Somehow though, I always manage to have what I need!

Frank Field's picture

Air travel has become such a hassle that I am actively avoiding it and driving whenever I can. Driving also enables me to take all of the gear that I really need for a trip.

Ken Bryan's picture

I can pack pretty much everything I need in my Tamrac backpack and slide it under the seat in front of me. My tripod is attached to my backpack as I check in and board, so it is not considered a second carry on. I take it off the backpack and put it in overhead storage during the flight.

Marshall Hill's picture

Predicting what's workable and allowable is becoming more difficult. Hard to know if the bag you want to buy will be allowed next year, or next month.

Si Johnson's picture

I have had to cut down to one body and one lens (18-200) plus a quality point and shoot plus a netbook.

Bill's picture

Rather than submit to check on luggage, and have my camera equiptment stollen. I send everything ahead of time by Fedex or Ups. Never had a problem.

Ann McClendon's picture

I would never check my camera equipment even in a check in container. I have a rolling carry on camera case and with creative packing can usually get what I need in it. A little heavy to lift into the overhead, but I manage.

R.  Sovronsky's picture

The first thing I did was to buy a new durable and sturdy tripod which, when folded, would fit into carry-on luggage. They are out there - and the best I've found so far is by Trek. Since we are allowed two carry-on pieces and I detest checking (i.e. losing) luggage, I pack clothing in one carry-on rolling case, and all camera equipment in a second, smaller carry-on bag. I can accommodate one camera, one tripod, a flash attachment and three lenses, which is usually all I will need. I also find that if I announce what I am carrying, including the tripod, to the security officer at the checkpoint, they can identify what they are looking at and have stopped having me unpack everything to prove I'm not carrying a weapon.

Fritz Schafer's picture

I worry a lot about what to take. I pack essentials in carry on. If that ends up in check in I worry that my vacation will be ruined (lost, stolen equipment).

Bill Romano's picture

I pack my Lowepro Mini Trekker filled with camera gear inside my Pelican rollon (with its camera packing removed)and stuff additional gear in available space.

Ed T.'s picture

I actually try to plan what type of shooting I want to do, then select only the equipment I think I will need.

Steven's picture

I carry the Tamrac Pro Photo Backpack that allows me to carry a DSLR with grip, flash, 4 small to medium lenses, and my very large 150-500mm zoom. While it is heavy it will fit nicely in the overhead compartment. I would never trust my gear to the baggage handlers.

Dave Pendleton's picture

I am very hassle sensitive in traveling, so I've now cut air travel to the bone. I now willingly drive 600 miles or more, if it means I don't have to fly.

Lori Peacock 's picture

I hate traveling by air because I can never take all of the gear I want. Even with over stuffing my coat and camera vest with gear, I can not get everything I want into my carry on bag. I would not trust airlines with a checked bag, and they won't insure the contents anyway. It would be nice if they would allow people with camera gear to have one additional carry on - even if I had to pay for it.

Jack Jones's picture

In fact, I tend to drive more trips in part because I like to travel with a little more gear.

Graham's picture

I use 1d MIII with big L lenses for sports, but the last 2 trips I took for personal travel, all that gear stayed home and I took only a G9. I brought the add-on wide lens the first trip but never used it. The mounting adapter though is terrific because I can add a polarizer. I usually bring a mid-size add-on flash (430) as well. I just printed a 16x20 landscape from the last trip and it looks great.

Arnold H.  Drapkin's picture

I am mostly able to take everything I want (need) in my standard RollAboard but very occasionally I have to omit something. It has made me look harder for items that are smaller and lighter.

Sheila's picture

Never NEVER check gear as luggage, as theft is rampant among baggage employees. The airlines refuse to take any responsibility whatsoever for these thieving employees. Therefore, I only take what I can keep in my carry on bag.

Jim Osborn's picture

I almost always fly Southwest who has no single bag limit. Still, I pack all my camera gear in a pelican case that I can carry-on.

David Chambers's picture

I have a travel bag set up with the ability to quickly remove a layer of equipment and place in one of the trays for x-ray. Therefore, I have never had a problem going through secuity with carry on camera bag.

Pages

X