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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Carry-on Bag Weight
PF Bentley, Photographer
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Planet Earth | HI | USA | Posted: 11:40 AM on 12.20.09 |
| ->> Have any of you had your carry-on bags weighed by airline personnel and what is the official weight limit for each bag? |
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Karsten Moran, Photographer, Photo Editor
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New York | NY | United States of America | Posted: 12:00 PM on 12.20.09 |
->> yes!
it depends on which airline and where you're traveling
flying within certain regions (flights within Australia, for instance) can be awful
i'd recommend checking with the carrier, and being specific about where you're flying (connections, etc.)
also, wear a coat you can stuff lenses and camera bodies into, in case you have no other alternative |
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Nigel Farrow, Photographer
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Suffolk | UK | United Kingdom | Posted: 12:15 PM on 12.20.09 |
->> Yes, I have had bags weighed and even recently chided by the checkin person for its weight despite it being definitely within the allowance of my chosen airline !!!!
Do check that your intended flight is with the airline you book with. If your flight is a codeshare it may be that you are flying with a partner airline who have lower allowances which are enforced irrespective of the airline you booked.
A similar situation may apply if you have a connection with another airline. |
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Mike Carlson, Photographer
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Bayonet Point | FL | USA | Posted: 12:40 PM on 12.20.09 |
| ->> In recent years it's happened once in a while domestically, but it's more the norm in Europe - and the size/weight is often quite a bit smaller/lighter. I had a situation where I took off from the US with an 'approved' carry-on, only to have it weighed in Switzerland for a connecting flight and had to split my gear between the carry-on and a plastic bag... |
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Wally Nell, Photographer
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CAIRO | EG | EGYPT | Posted: 2:29 PM on 12.20.09 |
->> As has been said, it depends which airlines you fly on and out of which airports. When I flew from Australia, the weight limit of 7kgs was heavily enforced (pun intended). I had the little light TT Airport Ultralight backpack, which weighed about 13kg, even though it looked tiny. I was forced to take some items out. After explaining I was a professional photographer, I told the guy I would put it in my photo vest and he was happy with that. I told him, 'you know I am going to place the lenses back into my camera bag around the corner right?' He looked at me and said, 'I just don't want to see it'. So, go figure, I think it depends on the person serving you.
I would say to make sure you use a smaller pack/roller, not the full-size one. In addition I carry a sweater wrapped around my neck, 'casually' hanging over my backpack.
Come prepared to have to unpack some items. Come prepared to not loose your cool, or get into an argument. Remember, you will NOT win an argument. Come earlier in anticipation of having bag weight issues. Have a plan B ready for your equipment.
In some countries local flights will allow you international weight limits if you can prove you are an international traveler, i.e. if you have your passport and return ticket with you.
Good luck, let us know how it goes. |
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Wally Nell, Photographer
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CAIRO | EG | EGYPT | Posted: 2:31 PM on 12.20.09 |
| ->> I also meant to add: You can always take 2 smaller bags, and let your client pick up the tab paying for an extra bag. |
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David Welker, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Springfield | MO | USA | Posted: 2:33 PM on 12.20.09 |
->> flying AA or southwest I have never had my carry on bag weighed. I have had to make sure it will fit inside the simulation overhead compartment.
Great example- In the past year, I have traveled basically from coast to coast. Each time I take all of my gear other than my alienbee strobes. when I traveled to san antonio last march, I took 28lbs of dedicated photo gear in a tamrac expedition 7x. When I went to New York and Washington DC this past summer I took roughly about the same amount of gear.
Never had one problem.
I do suggest that you contact your airline to see what they say, however my experiences with AA and southwest have been what I have mentioned. |
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PF Bentley, Photographer
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Planet Earth | HI | USA | Posted: 5:13 PM on 12.20.09 |
->> Have any of you had your carry-ons weighed at the gate or just at the counter?
I made the mistake once of asking a question at the Hawaiian counter at little outdoor Kona Airport here in Hawaii. I had both carry-ons weighed and had to transfer gear between them to make the weight limit for each. Once I turned the corner to security I moved the gear back to where it was.
I always print my boarding pass at home or hotel and go directly to the gate if I only have carry-on. Ask any questions at the gate, not at the counter.
However my video travel kit consists of four items:
- A Case Logic 21 inch carry-on for clothes, laptop, and hard drive
-A Think Tank StreetWalker HardDrive for my video gear
-TuffPak 1039 for tripod and lightstands
-Lightware MF1623 for lighting gear.
I try to FedEx the TuffPak and Lightware to the location when possible. I find FedEx to be the most reliable and not subject to the loss and theft that airline baggage is subject to these days. At times when I can't FedEx I have do checked baggage.
Hawaiian Airlines seems to have a new rule each week, made up my someone in a cubicle who needs to justify their job. Last week it was to have the sizing caddy right at the gate and have the gate agents looking for bags that maybe too big so they can be gate checked. This does not work when you're carrying gear in both bags obviously. (They also kept announcing that they have the authority to refuse boarding to anyone who does not comply - and this is the airline of "aloha"? We're talking about 20-30 minute interisland flights on 717's) |
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Chris Large, Photographer
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Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 5:15 PM on 12.20.09 |
->> I have had mine weighed on a number of occasions. Once they told me to take 2 bodies with lenses out and carry them on my shoulder - the bag was within the weight limit then. I carried them as far as security then repacked them. Another time at LAX they insisted that my bag be gate checked ( at the end of the breeze way with the strollers and other non cabin gear) I agreed ( no other choice ) but by the time I reached the door to the plane, the big red gate check tag had fallen off. Since my bag is ok size wise (Think Tank airport security roller) and as long as you don't make it look heavy, the flight crew won't give it a second glance.
On some shoots, because of the sheer volume of equipment I fedex my gear in a pelican case and carry only one body, a couple of lenses and a flash with me on the flight - enough gear that I can shoot abit if my main gear is delayed. I've had no problems with fed ex as compared to checked luggage on my flights.
Chris
Chris |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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102 Yards From The Beach | CT | | Posted: 8:58 PM on 12.20.09 |
->> Check out http://bagsize.notlong.com, I compiled a fairly extensive listing of official bags size & weight restrictions
I know many people who have had their bags weighed by airline staff. Who are you flying and where? I deal with airlines one-on-one on a daily basis (including now writing the blog content for the 5th largest airline in the world)so I can probably find you an answer to who ever you are flying with. |
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PF Bentley, Photographer
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Planet Earth | HI | USA | Posted: 10:15 PM on 12.20.09 |
| ->> Thanks for the info. I fly Hawaiian mainly, then Jet Blue and Continental. I'll check out the link. |
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PF Bentley, Photographer
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Planet Earth | HI | USA | Posted: 10:18 PM on 12.20.09 |
->> Wow - great info on your site - it's now bookmarked.
Thanks a lot for doing this.
Has anybody heard about special carry-on allowances for media? |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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102 Yards From The Beach | CT | | Posted: 6:29 AM on 12.21.09 |
->> PF
The only US airline with written a media allowance, and its for pre-boarding not extra baggage, is Southwest Airlines.
JetBlue & Continental do not weight bags. With Hawaiian if you fly with carry only, check in online, don't go to the counter, then act like your bag weighs 5lbs as you board the flight.
I believe Hawaiian still only weighs bags leaving Hawaii not mainland back to Hawaii.
By the way, at http://bagsize.notlong.com check out the carry on bag sizes for Qatar Airways (even converted to metric its a head scratcher) |
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Angel Valentin, Photographer
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RIO GRANDE | PR | Puerto Rico | Posted: 9:35 AM on 12.21.09 |
| ->> Fish direct/chartered flights to Cuba only allow an 8lb carry on. I've never had to check in my 30-40 lb carry on roller bag but it's always taken some convincing the supervisor. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 10:21 AM on 12.21.09 |
| ->> I have found that I try and not let any of the flight folks touch my carry on (I used to carry a nikon backpack but now use an think tank shape shifter bag) I had an attendant try to "help me" put it in an overhead once and got a tongue lashing about how much it weighed...so I always act like it doesn't weigh anything. the bag is a great size and fits the overhead in all but the little commuter jets...but it fits under the seat in those planes, I just have to make sure I'm in the right seat...that said I would have to agree with PF. I had an experience once on USSAREWAYS where I had my bag in an overhead bin then got to the connecting flight (a bigger aircraft) and the gate attendant wouldn't let me on the plane. I was very firm and demanded a supervisor, after twenty minutes (and two security guards) later a supervisor turned up, saw my bag and started yelling at the gate attendant for holding up the plane for a bag that was within their guidelines. gave me some drink coupons and I got on. I just find that most of the time I just try and lend in. there are normally people on the flight pushing the limit with carry ons and I try and let them draw the attention of the gate attendants. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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PF Bentley, Photographer
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Planet Earth | HI | USA | Posted: 11:08 AM on 12.21.09 |
->> Thank you all for your comments and input. Overall, I've pretty much what done what Chuck says - try and blend in and act as if the carry-ons weigh nothing. Also, not go to the counter. Pre-print your boarding pass and Fed Ex the excess bags when possible.
As we all know flying today is not very glamorous, it's just part of our jobs and was a pain in the butt before 9/11 and just plain miserable now. My two carry-ons are not that big, but our gear is heavy and with laptops and hard drives, it's
an added factor.
I'm flying Monday to Maui on Hawaiian (a big 20 minute flight from here) and wonder what new rule the man in the office cubicle has come with now. |
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Grant Gartland, Photographer, Assistant
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Bloomington | MN | USA | Posted: 12:19 PM on 12.21.09 |
| ->> Does anyone know, or has anyone looked into the idea of carrying your carry-on when you get to the gate in order to create the appearance that the bag is light? Or would I just be needlessly killing my arm in the process? |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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102 Yards From The Beach | CT | | Posted: 1:28 PM on 12.21.09 |
->> Jim,
Thanks for posting that. Last I heard Delta had removed its media policy. Nice to see it back up and in place. |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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102 Yards From The Beach | CT | | Posted: 1:30 PM on 12.21.09 |
->> Grant,
I have written multiple posts on www.flyingwithfish.com and other sites about the art of making all bags appeard to be 5lbs or less. |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 3:01 PM on 12.21.09 |
| ->> American is the worst. $50 for over 40lbs of checked luggage. But, never had any problem with my 50-lb carry-on huge Tamrac Expedition 8 bag, with American, Lufthansa, Continental, etc. Go figure. |
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