Anyone Flown Recently?.. Camera Gear as Carry on Luggage?

[Dno]

I'm due to fly out on Thursday, and would like to keep my camera kit with me on the plane. I've checked the BAA website, which states that cameras can be taken on board, but I'm guessing this probably doesn't really mean a bag of SLR kit...

Anyone know what the current situation is?

[puddleduck]

I took a huge bag of stuff when I went to Rhodes back in October:

http://odysseus-software.co.uk/photos/albums/LensTests/DSC_0129_web.jpg

Thats with D200 with 12-24 attached, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 VR, Nikkor 105mm VR and Nikkor 35/2 + SB-600. (didn't have the 35/2 last time I travelled)

Here is the Gatwick baggage policy:

http://www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/security.html

As long as your bag will fit in the sizing racks (and my Lowepro Photo Trekker does) you'll be fine... I've flown twice with this kit size since the recent "security scare", and have taken that size bag abroad on flights numerous times.

[pkr]

I read somewhere recently ( but I can't remember where - sorry ), that if you phone the airline beforehand and say you have a certain size bag of valuables, you can often get around the carry on limitations. It's all to do with insurance and liabilities of camera gear in the hold.

[Dr_Fruitbat]

I read somewhere recently ( but I can't remember where - sorry ),

It's in a thread on this forum

[Dno]

Cheers Andy - I'm planning on getting a Lowepro Mini trekker, so I think I'm ok size wise..

I read somewhere recently ( but I can't remember where - sorry ), that if you phone the airline beforehand and say you have a certain size bag of valuables, you can often get around the carry on limitations. It's all to do with insurance and liabilities of camera gear in the hold.

By 'airline', I presume you mean the people who operate the plane rather than the airport etc.. I'll find that out, and give them a ring.

[GarethH]

I went to New York in October with my Slingshot 200. I was concerned about it too before I left.

I was one of the few who got searched getting on the plane at Heathrow (might be my skinhead). They didn't say anything about the camera, though the guy got my lenses out to see if i'd hid anything behind the lens caps :shrug: !

[pkr]

By 'airline', I presume you mean the people who operate the plane rather than the airport etc.. I'll find that out, and give them a ring.

Indeed. As Dr_Fruitbat says, the thread is on the DVD Forums and was posted recently if you want to try a search.

[Dno]

Cheers all. Spoke with First Choice today, and they said it should be fine as long as the bag fits within their size limitations.

[pkr]

I found the post (http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6917544&postcount=7)

[thelocalman]

I found the post (http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6917544&postcount=7)

I have a snapper in heathrow right this second going to oz and this has just worked a treat yet again! Hope it helps.

[doesnotcompute]

I went to Mexico and back just a few weeks ago - no problems whatsoever with having my SLR and extras in the plane.

[1966]

I flew back from JFK with my stuff in a Lowepro Rover last month, and had no problems at all.

[DeadKenny]

I'm due to fly out on Thursday, and would like to keep my camera kit with me on the plane. I've checked the BAA website, which states that cameras can be taken on board, but I'm guessing this probably doesn't really mean a bag of SLR kit...

Anyone know what the current situation is?
I'm not aware anything has changed in respect to taking gadgets, it was just how big the bag is and stuff about liquids. The bag size limit has been relaxed I believe.

I would never ever stick an SLR in the hold! (well not unless I was a pro and had a huge amount of equipment which just had to go in the hold, but then I'd try and arrange some kind of secure transportation for it. Anyway that's beside the point because I'm not in that position, I'm just a hobbyist with a single SLR and a few lenses).

Not just for fear of breakage but the fact there theft from baggage is not uncommon.

Might stick a cheap lens in there if I'm not so bothered about it, but that's it. Everything else in the carry on.

[Dno]

...snip

Yeah, I get that.. I've read the airport in Gambia is a bit of a comedy affair, so the more stuff I keep on me, the better.

[Dno]

Anyone know if a Lowepro Mini Trekker AW is within the size limitations.

According to the dimensions of the bag online, the depth is about 6 cm over the 'box' the bag is supposed to fit into.. But surely a bit of brute force will remedy that?

I like the Slingshot 200, but I don't think it's suitable for the Nikon 300mm .. :(


Edit: A little Googling, and I found this:

The other benefit I have found with the Mini Trekker is that it's just the right size for aeroplane hand luggage. A lot of airlines have boxes in which your hand luggage must fit into to be able to take onboard and it does fit, just!

Can anyone confirm?

[doesnotcompute]

don't fill it to the brim and I'm sure you'll be fine, I've never been or seen anyone get checked for their hand luggage. at just 6cm over it will look about right, just make sure it doesn't look too heavy on your shoulder when you check in.

[Dno]

In answer to my own question, it seems that the Lowepro website has actually given this bag a little 'Airline Carry-on' logo.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/Mini_Trekker_AW.aspx

[DeadKenny]

I've always found my mini trekker to be a bit big but then I guess it's just about the right size now with the relaxed limits. Would have been no chance before.

Problem with the mini trekker is it won't scrunch up. The sides are too rigid for my liking which means it won't squeeze into small spaces. Then again it does protect the gear. I use it mainly for storage and if I'm taking most my stuff to events like airshows.

I'm using a SwissGear laptop bag these days for carry on. I can get my portable DVD player and other gadgets in there plus camera and a lens or two. Lots of pockets for keeping things in, tickets, documents, etc, and has a dedicated MP3 player pocket with headphone cable hole :D

[t00thless]

Sure i am just echoing what other people have said, but just to let you know i am currently sitting a hotel in Hong Kong and took my Computrekker AW (http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/CompuTrekker_AW.aspx) packed to the brim with my camera stuff, portable video player, and laptop in it. No problems at all with security at heathport airthrow, all i had to do was take the laptop out and have that scanned sepertaly to the bag to check it was real i guess.

[Muz]

Just remember ONE bag only per person.

[DeadKenny]

Just remember ONE bag only per person.
Yeah, but how much luggage is she allowed?...







... I'll fetch my coat :D

[t00thless]

Just gone from Hong Kong to NZ and no problems there again with my computrecker.

[Dno]

Cheers all.. Off to buy a MiniTrekker today, so fingers crossed.