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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Carry on gear vs check in
Mike Burley, Photographer
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Honolulu | HI | USA | Posted: 7:06 PM on 04.04.09 |
->> I usually try to reduce gear as much as possible when flying, and carry everything on. I just dont trust the airlines nor do I want to deal with the possibility of having my gear lost.
I'm moving from Hawaii to the continental U.S., and HAVE to bring everything I own, which is just too much to carry on. I own a pretty large Pelican case and was thinking about packing it very well and stowing a few bodies and lenses in there. Since I can put 2 locks on the case, and its somewhat crush-proof & waterproof, I was thinking of checking it in.
I have no upcoming gigs, so even if it were momentarily lost, that'd be ... tolerable I suppose. What other precautions should I take? Additional insurance? Im carrying all my 7-8 hard drives and laptop, which I would never trust to check in. External hard drives are ok to go through x-ray from what I recall, right?
Thanks! |
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Mike Carlson, Photographer
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Bayonet Point | FL | USA | Posted: 7:33 PM on 04.04.09 |
| ->> Have you considered shipping it? |
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Mike Burley, Photographer
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Honolulu | HI | USA | Posted: 7:36 PM on 04.04.09 |
| ->> I guess I could Fed-Ex everything, but I dont even want to know how much that's going to cost. The last camera I shipped was about $40, and that was the slowest and cheapest service. Im guessing the total might be $300. Its a possibility though. At least it'd be well insured, and I know it'll get there. |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 9:30 PM on 04.04.09 |
| ->> Make sure you are insured . I use the hartford |
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Luke Sharrett, Student/Intern
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Bowling Green | KY | United States | Posted: 9:44 PM on 04.04.09 |
| ->> I've taken my external hard drives through x-ray, should be fine. I wouldn't bother with locks on the pelican case, the TSA will cut them off if they want to look inside....and they always want to look inside. |
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Chris Large, Photographer
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Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 10:35 PM on 04.04.09 |
->> I would ship everything except data. There are a number of options besides fed ex, especially if you can wait 5 days for delivery. If you lock any of your cases make sure it's with a TSA approved lock ( they can open it without cutting it). Most shipping options have the provision of insurance.
I've shipped all over the world using a pelican case - as long as things are padded and secured inside then you should have no worries. I've never had a single thing damaged inside a pelican.
You will save alot of money by shipping as opposed to extra weight as baggage if you have more than 50 lbs of gear. |
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Andy Mead, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 10:29 AM on 04.05.09 |
| ->> Near the end of that blog comments was the suggesting of wrapping checked bags in plastic. When I flew commercial from Miami to Havana last fall, the only checked bags not wrapped up in plastic were those of the handful of us media on the plane. The "regulars" had all learned that trick. Definitely a deterrent to baggage theft, but not really - in my opinion - practical with photography equipment. Which I never check anyway. |
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Ian L. Sitren, Photographer
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Palm Springs | CA | USA | Posted: 11:57 AM on 04.05.09 |
| ->> FEDEX |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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Live HVN : Work SFO-NYC | | | Posted: 12:13 PM on 04.05.09 |
->> 1) Use a Pelican case with a starter pistol inserted inside it. This will allow you to lock the case with non-TSA approved Sentry Locks (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2008/10/08/protecting-your-sen.../)
2) FedEx/UPS (although no ground service from Hawaii). These two options may be the most secure and convenient way, although more expensive than checking the Pelican with a starter pistol
3) Airline cargo, although this process can be a pain in the butt. |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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Live HVN : Work SFO-NYC | | | Posted: 12:15 PM on 04.05.09 |
->> The problem with plastic wrapping bags, as is offered at many international airports, is that the TSA will simply take a knife and slice off the plastic wrap should they want to get into your bags.
Plastic wrapping is done prior to airport security screening and is not a deterrent to airport security searches. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 10:22 PM on 04.05.09 |
->> Send it via the USPS (that's your Post Office).
Insure the hell out of it.
A little known quirk is that with FedEx and UPS if you pack your own stuff their insurance covers LOSS but not DAMAGE.
For coverage against against damage the stuff has to be packed by an authorized Fedex/UPS shipping agent.
With the Post Office you're covered for both.
And the people at the Post Office are SO nice.
Go to www.usps.com for shipping quotes.
All hail the Post Office! |
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Eugene P. Tanner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Honolulu | HI | USA | Posted: 10:33 PM on 04.05.09 |
->> Hey Mike,
Sorry to hear you are leaving Hawaii... You are one heck of shooter and I'm glad I got to meet you... I have moved too many times to count but I have always
Fed Ex my equipment to where ever I'm heading... Best of luck to you...
Eugene |
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Mike Burley, Photographer
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Honolulu | HI | USA | Posted: 11:44 PM on 04.05.09 |
->> Thanks Eugene. It was a fun ride while it lasted. BTW, La Mariana on the 11th after 6pm for drinks with the gang.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. I'll do some cost benifit analysis this week and see.. I might be able to carry everything on if I can get my wife to check all her baggage in and carry half of my stuff. We'll see how that goes. |
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Dayne Teves, Photographer
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Waipahu | Hi | USA | Posted: 11:45 PM on 04.05.09 |
->> Sorry to hear you are leaving Mike...
I like the last photoshoot you did with Maddison McKibbin from Punahou. He is the next volleyball star coming out of Hawaii. |
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Kent Nishimura, Student/Intern
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Honolulu | HI | USA | Posted: 2:32 AM on 04.06.09 |
->> mike...ship your stuff.
if you need gear while you;re still here, you can always borrow my stuff.
:-) |
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Mike Shepherd, Photographer
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Wichita | KS | USA | Posted: 9:29 AM on 04.06.09 |
->> I think forced with this decision, I'd spend the extra money to have it shipped ahead rather than entrusting a commercial airline carrier to handle my equipment. Having to be without it for a few days would be far less inconvenient to me than going through the hassle of replacing damaged, lost or stolen goods.
Good luck in your move, Mike. Sorry it didn't work out for you. |
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Mike Burley, Photographer
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Honolulu | HI | USA | Posted: 5:18 PM on 04.06.09 |
->> Thanks guys, good info. I think I'll be able to reduce the most valuable gear to carry on, and I will ship the rest. Thanks to all for the kind words and help.
Shep, I'll be passing through KC. on April 30th. Maybe I can take a detour and grab a drink with you in Wichita on the way to up Chicago, my final destination. |
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