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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Traveling with my gear
Josh McGuckin, Photographer, Assistant
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Broomfield | CO | USA | Posted: 2:01 PM on 10.13.06 |
->> Ok, I know this has been covered but it is an ever changing topic and I want to make sure I know the current status.
I am flying to Utah this week and I need to take all the gear. Flashes, remotes, tripods...everything. I called United to see what the restrictions are and the woman spoke a few phrases of english and said
"Photo gear? No Rifle?"
To which I responded "Um, no rifle, photo gear, flashes, tripods, lenses, cameras."
"Photo gear fine, did I help you today?"
"I don't know...did you?"
So I don't think that is a clearcut answer.
I am flying for 1 day for a photo shoot, I don't want to check a bag, but I will if I have to. Can I carry on my camera, remotes, flashes, tripods and everything without an issue at this point in time? I am guessing that the tripod is going to be a problem...but I am hoping you will know.
Thanks in advance!
Josh
http://www.joshmcguckin.com |
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Joe Andras, Photographer
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Orange County | CA | USA | Posted: 2:17 PM on 10.13.06 |
->> I traveled from Orange County to Seattle, Washington last week on Alaska Airlines, and to Phoenix, Arizona a couple of weeks ago on US Air without any problem with security on either end.
I went through security with a roller bag containing the normal contents of 2 bodies and an assortment of lenses and stuff, and a long bag with a 400 and a monopod visibly velcroed to the outside.
I always put the roller bag through X-ray first, figuring that they're less likely to have an issue with the monopod if they're thinking cameras. So far, so good.
I did not take any liquid lens cleaner due to the recent concerns over carry-on liquids. |
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Josh McGuckin, Photographer, Assistant
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Broomfield | CO | USA | Posted: 3:06 PM on 10.13.06 |
| ->> Well, that is good news! I was nervous about the tripod, I mean, who wants to have a Basalt Gitzo taken away right!? |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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New England | | USA | Posted: 5:06 PM on 10.13.06 |
->> I just flew three flights on UA this past weekend between JFK and SFO , SFO to IAD and IAD to JFK (on a small regional jet).
On all of these flights I had a fully loaded Airport Addicted backpack. 3 bodies, 12 batteries, two flashes, two PW recievers , one PW transmitter and 8 lenses, plus other random crap. No one said anything. No one at UA questioned me on any flights.
You may go throught a secindary screening and have to open your bag, but not a big deal, you'll be fine.
.....and I have very often had a compact light stand in my carry on or a small carbon fiber tripod with head, never been stopped at any airport. |
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Josh McGuckin, Photographer, Assistant
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Broomfield | CO | USA | Posted: 5:10 PM on 10.19.06 |
->> It was a success, I did check my tripods though, after finding out that I was flying United Express. The little planes don't allow for much space.
I got my PhotoTrekker II with 1 body, 3 flashes, 4 lenses, 4 PW's lightmeter and other odds and ends into the plane and got it under the seat, since it didn't fit in the overhead on the small plane.
There were no issues till I flew back this morning and the Stewardess noticed just before landing. She told me that She could get in trouble for allowing me to have that large of a bag under (sort of under) the seat in front of me.
I got there and back, my equiptment is in good shape and the shoot was successful.
Thanks for the replies! |
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Jeff Lewis, Photographer
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Long Beach | CA | USA | Posted: 5:36 PM on 10.19.06 |
->> I have a tamrac rolling bag I take on the plane all the time with a monopod attached with a 400 2.8, two bodies, three other lenses, etc. Whatever fits into the bag. Sometimes I take a second shoulder bag with a computer and never have a problem on any airline. They sometimes stop me at the security check point but only because the lenses look like bombs to their system, as I've been told.
If you decide to travel with the monopod, they will let it on as long as you are not holding it in your hand. The thing looks like a weapon if you are holding it up and waving it in an airport. Mine is attached to the outside of the bag and in their eyes, its part of the bag.
As long as any of you don't go to the airport and make a big deal out of it, we should have no problem not having to check the monopod in.
When I travel to shoot a game in the Bay Area or somewhere within an hours flight of LA, I don't want to check anything in and if I had to check a monopod in, I'd be very upset and I heard they get lost easily.
Also, if you let them know at the gate what you do and whats in your bag, they will let you on first so you are guarenteed an overhead compartment.
-Just be courteous-
As far as other tripods, I check them in. I am not at the level of flying in a pallet on an airlines or shipping massive amounts of equipment but for what I travel with, being descreet and kind goes a long way.
Jeff |
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Sergei Belski, Photographer
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Calgary | AB | Canada | Posted: 6:48 PM on 10.19.06 |
->> Hello Josh, I just came back from my vacation in Dominican Republic. I'm from Canada but I went though Las Vegas, Miami, and Huston. I took most of my gear with me.
I checked in my tripod and reflector but took my laptop, camera, lenses, flashes, remotes, etc with me as a carryon and didn't have any problems at any airport.
Good luck.
sergei
http://www.sergeibelski.com |
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Josh McGuckin, Photographer, Assistant
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Broomfield | CO | USA | Posted: 7:39 PM on 10.19.06 |
->> Jeff,
I agree, I generally know that I am on the edge of what is acceptable to carry on so I tend to go with, quiet and unassuming. It usually gets me in without an issue.
I am curious however, what do you guys do when you fly on the small commuter planes that have no overhead space? I stuffed my bag under the seat infront of me...essentially leaving myself with only a little footroom. To me, it is an inconvenience, but if the stewardess catches that they will make you check it. Calm and quiet worked for me. But one day, I am worried that I will be forced to check my bag and that worries me. |
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Jeff Fusco, Photographer
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Philadelphia | PA | USA | Posted: 8:42 PM on 10.19.06 |
->> Pelican 1510..Legal to carry on, but if you have to check for some reason, It can take the abuse. Ever since I bought one, I never worry if they decide to make me gate check it, which has happened once. Just came back from Vancouver where I carried it on no problems. The Canadian side coming back took notice, but it was legal size, so they let me carry it on.
One that that amazes me is the random checks it gets. Flying out of Philly, it goes right thru ,they do not open it most of the time. In Nashville it gets the full open and check everytime. Canada has the most efficent airport security I have ever seen. They screened it, opened, took everything out, wiped for explosives, put it all back in 10 minutes, all with a smile.
I may just retire to Vancouver, I was that impressed by the city. First time there, would love to return and explore. |
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Jeff Lewis, Photographer
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Long Beach | CA | USA | Posted: 9:42 PM on 10.19.06 |
->> I let them take it at the gate and return it to me like the strollers and wheelchairs and thats only if the stuartess wont let me take it on the plane. If the plane is not full, they usually let me keep it and put it on the floor of an empty row.
As long as you are nice to them, they should most of the time try to work something out. One time, they let me put my bag in the closet where they put their coats and bags. I was polite and told them what the cameras were worth and said I can't afford to put this in with the baggage. They found a place.
If the plane is full, I usually don't mention what is in the bag. I just let them take it and return it at the gate.
Jeff |
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Juliann Tallino, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | usa | Posted: 10:07 PM on 10.19.06 |
->> I fly with a tripod all the time (interiors and architecural shoots pretty much require one) and have never had a problem carrying it on the plane. I use the thinktank bazooka (Luckily they don't put the name on the outside of the bag). I've also used the box the tripod came in. It's a big tripod too, bogen something or other. :) It's a wrestling match to get it in the thinktank case but it's padded and it fits nicely in an overhead bin.
TSA has never had a problem with me taking it through security. |
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Josh McGuckin, Photographer, Assistant
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Broomfield | CO | USA | Posted: 6:09 PM on 10.22.06 |
->> I would love to get a pelican case, but the problem is that I need a backpack when I get to shoots. Most of my shoots involve me riding a ski lift or hiking a ski resort, summer or winter. Lots of trails, and a hard case can't get me there.
I will have to continue to push my luck...I have never had a problem getting it through security, but I am worried that one of these small commuter planes will make me gate check it someday. |
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Juliann Tallino, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | usa | Posted: 7:14 PM on 10.22.06 |
| ->> Josh, here's a thought. Put the backpack in the pelican case. you can buy the cases without padding. |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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New England | | USA | Posted: 10:33 PM on 10.22.06 |
->> Juliann
The Pelicans that fit the full size backpacks, like the ThinkTank Airport Addicted, Lowepro Stealth, and the Tamrac and Kata bags all need to be checked, so you are seperated from your gear.
....never get seperated from your gear |
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