Help, Lufthansa restrictions are nuts!

[dazzlebea]

I can't believe this: I just found out that Lufthansa limits carry-on luggage to 22x16x8 inches (18lbs) or 55x40x20cm (8kg). I'm glad I checked, because my bag is 9 inches deep, and that's squishing it.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a rain-proof bag that can hold an XT, 400 f5.6, 70-200 f4, 3 other lenses and a flash?

Any suggestions are highly appreciated, I spent hours on the net and haven't found a solution yet.

[Jon]

That's now standard (size, anyhow) throughout the EC, at the UK's request. At that, it's bigger than the UK allowed up until this went into effect across the EC.

[Angel_LCD]

I use this bag http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/Photo_Trekker_AW_II.aspx . Travelled half way around the world with it as hand luggage :) You can fit a lot of gear in it and it has an all weather cover :)

[dazzlebea]

I use this bag http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/Photo_Trekker_AW_II.aspx . Travelled half way around the world with it as hand luggage :) You can fit a lot of gear in it and it has an all weather cover :)

Do you know how deep it is at it's minimum, that is without anything stuffed into the front pockets? Lowepro's website gives the external depth as 15 inches :confused: .

Also, is the backpack pretty light when empty? maximum allowance is 18lbs.

[dazzlebea]

That's now standard (size, anyhow) throughout the EC, at the UK's request. At that, it's bigger than the UK allowed up until this went into effect across the EC.

Wow, I suppose someone needs to come out with a new line of carry-on luggage. I smell a business op here :)

[Angel_LCD]

Do you know how deep it is at it's minimum, that is without anything stuffed into the front pockets? Lowepro's website gives the external depth as 15 inches :confused: .

Also, is the backpack pretty light when empty? maximum allowance is 18lbs.

It is made under carry on size ;) it´s the largest lowepro bag that is carry on. With all the gear in it you will exceed 18lbs I think with any bag, I have never seen them weigh bags and not experienced it on my travels. Traveled from Norway to Canada with 4 different flights and had my bag + a laptop bag with me all the way ;) The front pockets are more for flat stuff, it will get pretty tight with bigger stuff in there. But there should be more than enough space inside ;) I got my D60 with battery grip, 70-200 2.8L, 17-35 2.8L, 28-105, 2x550ex, 2x converter, mini tripod, powershot G5, chargers and some small stuff in there and can still fit more :) You can take apart and build it up just the way you like inside :)

[nwyman]

The only time I've ever seen anything weighed was on a Lufthansa flight several years before all this restrictive stuff started - it was a fully booked flight, with lots of orchestral students on spring break, traveling with their instruments, and I gather weight was a concern.

Anyway - I am headed to Scotland next month, flying on Continental from New Jersey. I plan on taking my 350D, 10-22mm, 17-40mm , extra memory cards, batteries, possibly a spare body and rocket blower stuff in my Lowepro Slingshot 200. There will still be a bit of room there for whatever. Might take the 100mm macro as well - haven't really sorted all this out yet. I used this when I flew to Utah last summer, and it worked very well.

I recently acquired a Vera Bradley soft cloth handbag - weighs next to nothing, but has a zipper compartment and six large pockets inside - zips on top with various other pockets on the outside. I'm planning on putting the 100-400mm in its carrying case in there, along with wallet and such - it will pass as my purse, which will fit under the seat in front of me, where I will guard it as if it were my first born. Or better. <g>

[rhys]

When all these travel restrictions started I began to wonder whether I should have gone for the Olympus pro system as it's so much more compact.

Having said that, my travel photo kit now consists of: XT + BGE3, 17-85IS, 70-300IS, 420EX, Canon S1 IS, CF cards and a Hyperdrive 80 (40GB). I haven't included a laptop in that because I have computers both sides of the Atlantic. I reckon I can get through with no problem.

[dicktay]

On an Austrian airlines flight from Vienna to Singapore in Oct last year they were weighing suspect bags in the departure lounge. That's after you have checked your other baggage at seat allocation. One persons large briefcase style bag weighed 18kG!
They made him split the contents with his travelling companions.

It always pay to check with the airlines you will be using as we have found the carry on regulations in the USA to be extreemly liberal compared to some other countries.

We were advised by our travel agent that Singapore Airlines will not let anything over 7kg through. I purchased a couple of lenses in Singapore (not a good move!) and put them in my checked bag in the original boxes and wrapped in clothes to give them a bit more protection. On arrival in Sydney there was a sticker on our bag saying it had been opened and checked by security at Singapore airport. All was intact.

Richard
(Sydney, Australia)

[dicktay]

Instead of a bag have you considered a case - Like a Pelican or Storm case?

[Palladium]

check out Think Tank line of Airport bags ;)
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html

[dazzlebea]

check out Think Tank line of Airport bags ;)
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html

Oh, this is excellent! Thank you so much for this tip :)

[MDJAK]

Don't know about the size restriction, but as far as weight is concerned, I just hang my camera over my shoulder, meaning I temporarily take it out of the carry-on. They pay no attention to it.

I've recently seen an article on international travel with good tips. I'll try to find it for you.

mark

[MDJAK]

Here's the article. Hope it is helpful.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/international.shtml

mark

[lkorell]

The Think Tank bags should work fine. Their stuff is very sturdy too.


Lou

[WesDigi]

Hi guys, There was a news item a few weeks ago in the UK/Ireland where an Irish airline was weighing its passengers as well as their luggage!! Here is a link:
http://www.irishpost.co.uk/news/story.asp?j=5362&cat=news

[Longwatcher]

I have just been looking at the UK restrictions for carry-on bags and I am of the opinion that whoever set those rules watches way too much Monty Python.
Since the answer is different if
- Are you travelling to the UK and staying
- Are you leaving the UK
- Are you traveling through the UK
- Are you connecting through the UK
Each of those 4 questions seems to have a different answer.
Presuming checked baggage was not available you can bring a musical instrument into the UK, but not leave with it. You fly through with a laptop, but neither leave, nor arrive with it.

In any event I need to get what is a bag larger then the combined size of my two bags separately just so I can travel via UK on British Airways, without risking my camera equipment to baggage handling. Now that is stupidity in action at its best. I am considering taking a cardboard box and some tape as the cheap solution to this problem.

We will ignore the fact that I could get everything in my Tamrac 612 Pro, but since the object was to use my Lowepro minitrekker backpack for my camera and a laptop back for laptop and other stuff, that would mean I have to travel with an empty bag, just so I can switch it out in Greece for the trip home via the UK. Very annoying to me.

Thanks for letting me rant a bit.

[vondo]

I have just been looking at the UK restrictions for carry-on bags and I am of the opinion that whoever set those rules watches way too much Monty Python.
Since the answer is different if
- Are you travelling to the UK and staying
- Are you leaving the UK
- Are you traveling through the UK
- Are you connecting through the UK
Each of those 4 questions seems to have a different answer.
Presuming checked baggage was not available you can bring a musical instrument into the UK, but not leave with it. You fly through with a laptop, but neither leave, nor arrive with it.

In any event I need to get what is a bag larger then the combined size of my two bags separately just so I can travel via UK on British Airways, without risking my camera equipment to baggage handling. Now that is stupidity in action at its best. I am considering taking a cardboard box and some tape as the cheap solution to this problem.

We will ignore the fact that I could get everything in my Tamrac 612 Pro, but since the object was to use my Lowepro minitrekker backpack for my camera and a laptop back for laptop and other stuff, that would mean I have to travel with an empty bag, just so I can switch it out in Greece for the trip home via the UK. Very annoying to me.

Thanks for letting me rant a bit.

Can you tell me where you found those regs if you have them handy? I'm traveling *through* Heathrow in a few months and want to know how big of a hassle it's going to be.

[Timm]

If you will embark on a plane in the uk the BAA Website (http://www.baa.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=5eae398e1889e010VgnVCM10000036 821c0a____&ChID=ac4597dc2eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____&Ct=B2C_CT_PRESS_RELEASE&CtID=a22889d8759a0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&Ch=All+Press+Releases&ChPath=Home%5ECorporate%5EAll+Press+Releases&ChIDPath=caf397dc2eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____^ 2292ea0bb0022010VgnVCM100000147e120a____^ac4597dc2 eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____) is useful.

Their FAQ (http://www.baa.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=76bb00df152dd010VgnVCM10000036 821c0a____&ChID=945800df152dd010VgnVCM10000036821c0a____&Ct=B2C_CT_GENERAL&CtID=448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&Ch=Frequently+Asked+Questions&ChPath=Home%5ELHR%5EAirport+Information%5ESecurity +control%5EFrequently+Asked+Questions&ChIDPath=caf397dc2eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____^ bde597dc2eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____^473797dc2 eb12010VgnVCM100000147e120a____^b0eba11b4763d010Vg nVCM10000036821c0a____^945800df152dd010VgnVCM10000 036821c0a____) details what items are permitted in the carry-on bag, and there are details on electrical items too.

As for size of bag - Max dimensions are 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (which equates to 22" x 17.7" x 20" in real measurements! ;) ), although the airline may specify smaller than this and it's the airline that decides what weight you can have.

It also says that things can go in coat pockets too... :D

[Jon]

I believe that, unless they've come to their senses, BAA requires you to go through security at Heathrow even if you're going through, not stopping. This might only apply if one leg is between the US and the UK (either way), but that's what happened to us. The only reason the backlog of people at the security checkpoint didn't make us miss our flight (with about 3 hr. between arival and departure) was that someone sent our plane's crew bus to the wrong hotel, so they were late too!

[vondo]

I believe that, unless they've come to their senses, BAA requires you to go through security at Heathrow even if you're going through, not stopping. This might only apply if one leg is between the US and the UK (either way), but that's what happened to us. The only reason the backlog of people at the security checkpoint didn't make us miss our flight (with about 3 hr. between arival and departure) was that someone sent our plane's crew bus to the wrong hotel, so they were late too!

Well, considering that in the U.S. we make people go through U.S. customs if they are just transitting, I don't have much cause to complain. Actually, I think all airports are required to re-screen U.S. bound passengers. I know they do this in Brussels which I transit through sometimes.

[Jon]

Happened going from US to Greece via Heathrow, too. Given the seriously deficient transit between terminals at Heathrow, they really need to work on that.

[kolok]

Uh boy.... those draconian Brit rules... I travel to Europe often and since the UK introduced these various "rules" (a year ago?), British Airways and Heathrow have lost me as a customer (normally do 15-18 flights a year where 90% of those were BA/Heathrow - but no more). This crap has gone far enough for my taste and I just don't fly through the UK anymore - don't need/want the hassle.

Regardless, I've always pulled out my cam just before entering airport security checks as a simple way of making my carry-on more "empty". Found that the best way is to travel with a day-pack (like North Face or something). Those usually have a nice inner pocket large enough for my Thinkpad, and the lenses ... well I just line em up in a Domke F3x bag which goes into the backpack. Still have enough room in the pack for whatever else I need/buy on the plane or at the airport.

[ScottE]

Also have a look at the Lowepro Omni Trekker and Omni Pro. These are not water proof, but they fit inside Pelican cases if you need a really waterproof container. The Omni Pro Extreme includes a Pelican case that fits the international flight size.

You also have to be careful about the weight. Some bags like the Think Tank Airport International use up half (or more) of your weight allowance before even adding your equipment. I have seen bags being weighed at airports such as Kampala, Uganda. Sometimes if you are a little over weight they will let you hang your camera with a lens around your neck and board the plane that way. Sometimes you have to take your heaviest lens out and put it in your checked baggage. My Bigma made a couple of flights in checked bags because of this.

[dazzlebea]

As for size of bag - Max dimensions are 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (which equates to 22" x 17.7" x 20" in real measurements! ;) ), although the airline may specify smaller than this and it's the airline that decides what weight you can have.


See, these dimensions are much more realistic (btw it is 22x18x10 inches). 8 inches, as Lufthansa demands, makes it really difficult for a lot of people :(