1st time flyer with camera gear !

[cactusjak]

I searched the forum , to no avail, looking for some info on flying with camera gear. I haven't flown commerically since 1986 ( I konw , I lead a sheltered life) I know about the carry ons, but what can ,and can't be in your camera bag? I am flying from Kansas City to Tampa and back for my daughters wedding and was curious . Any help will be greatly apperciated! Thanks in advance.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

What all are you wanting to take in carry on?

[FlyingPhotog]

Our resident travel guru "Fishphoto" shares his pearls of wisdom throughout these threads:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/search.php?searchid=1321292

[-spam-]

I dont know if the restrictions for domestic travel in the states are different to those here but last time i flew to Melbourne, i took everything in this photo on board with me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/-spam-/2491929322/

Then had my laptop power cable, psp, a couple of games, ipod and camera battery charger in the top part along with some other small odds and ends. I think it was a bit over 10 kilograms. It was a bit of a squeeze having it between my legs on the flight down but no one from the airline cared about its size. On the trip back, i just kept my camera and ipod out of the bag and put it in the overhead compartment.

Id say take a look at the website of th airline you are flying with, see what their restrictions are and then try and pack your gear accordingly.

Alternatively, pack as much as you can fit in whatever bag you have that is under the carry on size limit and practice making it seem light to whoever may be watching ;)

[timnosenzo]

Just follow your airlines basic guidelines for carryon stuff (which mostly restricts liquids and sharp objects) and you should be fine. You won't have any trouble flying with a basic kit.

[cactusjak]

Thanks guys, was just wondering about cables and the like, possibly a lens pen. I read about the spare batteries being in bags and such, but didn't want last minute problems. Thanks loads

[-spam-]

I read about the spare batteries being in bags and such

I remember hearing about that. For us that only applies for international flights with certain carriers.

The only problem was when i was flying with film one time and the guy at security didnt believe me when i said that i had film (i had it separate and gave the bag to him). He pulled out an entire unexposed roll from the canister before realising that i was telling the truth and then he went rather red in the face. I wasnt too happy but at least he destroyed a roll of cheap fuji film negative stuff instead of the only roll of velvia i had with me :rolleyes:

[fishfoto]

Our resident travel guru "Fishphoto" shares his pearls of wisdom throughout these threads:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/search.php?searchid=1321292


It's FishFoto......."FishPhoto" is to many letters and to confusing for me to spell most mornings (such as this morning, having shot a wedding in San Francisco yesterday, July 4, hopped a red-eye flight to Philly and I'm now in the United Airlines lounge before I head off to shoot my wedding today, July 5th, in Philadelphia......weddings are about 14hrs apart and roughly 2,700 miles apart)


......anyway you can find a whole lot of info on flying as a photog on my site for flying photos at www.flyingwithfish.com (http://www.flyingwithfish.com)

The site is designed to be a complete and constantly updated source for pretty much any topic that pops into my head, or is suggested by readers.

Happy Flying!

[fishfoto]

Cactus,

Cable are fine for carry on or checked. For your own personal comfort in traveling with cables I might suggest looking into something like Think Tank's "Cable Management (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_CblMngmnt50.php)" case. It's a great way to keep cables, cords and chargers in one place,not only when traveling, but also just for your home storage of these items.

Lenspen is totally fine. Should you flying with Sensor-Solution, make sure you purchase the bottle that is 100ml. The TSA (http://www.tsa.gov) (airport security) allows a maximum of 3oz/100ml (yes I know that 100ml equals 3.38oz, no one ever said the TSA made sense), you need to keep your carry on liquids to no more than 3oz/100ml, and you can pack as much as you'd like as long as it can be carried in a bag no larger than 1 quart. You can find more info on this at www.tsa.gov/311 (http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/311)

Batteries are fine. Despite the rumours there are NO restrictions on the type or quantity of consumer camera batteries that may be transported in carry on baggage. Do not check your batteries. I can describe in detail how checked batteries should be packed if you'd like, but trust me when I say you want to carry them on-board.


If you do not find the information you are seeking on Flying With Fish (http://www.flyingwithfish.com) drop me an e-mail or PM and I'll see if I can answer your questions (sometimes it takes a day to three for me to get back to people though.

Happy Flying!




(and for a random airline travel bit of info : "Cactus" is the airline call sign for the former America West Airlines. Many US Airways pilots who fly aircraft still carrying the America West registrations still use the call sign of "Cactus" when speaking with the tower)

[zacker]

ill be flying out to WA from CT in a couple weeks...this should be fun..lol im ups'ing my clothes out there and just carrying on my kit.. hopefully this will work out.

[scotteisenphotography]

ill be flying out to WA from CT in a couple weeks...this should be fun..lol im ups'ing my clothes out there and just carrying on my kit.. hopefully this will work out.

lol..why don't you check the bag with your clothes in it?

[fishfoto]

Why check any bags? I rarely do.

This week my travel for assignments took me down to DC on Wed, Charlotte on Thurs, San Francisco on Thurs Evening and Friday; Philly on Saturday and I head up to New York tomorrow on Sunday.

Flying out on Wed mornig to shoot a commercial job in DC I flew out with a North Face Surge Backpack with my laptop, accessories and my clothing; a Think Tank Skin kit and a Lowepro Pro Roller II with my lights.

When I was done with my commercial job I shipped my lights home and boarded my flight to Charlotte with only my backpack and Think Tank Skin kit. I can easily shoot wearing my backpack, but with a wedding in San Francisco on Friday and one in Philly on Saturday who can risk delayed bags?

Last August I did a corporate job where I flew around the world 1.5x in 4 days in a single legal carry on bag. All my clothes and camera and everything else in a single backpack I could wear while shooting (the North Face Parallax) and a few months ago (April) I packed up everything I needed to shoot three architecture jobs and a bridal session that were shot in Philadelphia, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Incheon in 3.5 days (Providence, RI to Providence, RI in 3.5 days) all in a North Face Surge Backpack and a belt-pouch system.

............checking bags is just asking for trouble! (yes I do check bags sometimes, I just prefer not to).

[tom1s]

I've taken my camera bag as carry-on a dozen times and not once have I ever had any problems. I've never even been asked to open my bag (Lowepro SlingShot 300) and I've had camera, several lenses, cable release, extra batteries, flash and extra cards. If you don't put anything in your bag that wouldn't normally get through security like knives or large amounts of liquid, you won't have any problems. I would worry more about the airlines cutting down on the size of carry-ons and make sure it will fit in the overhead bin.

[cactusjak]

Fishphoto:
Thanks fot the help, I looked at the flyingwithfish website, loads of good stuff there, but was looking for a quick confirmation as to what was lega; in the bag, for me I have a lowly 30d 70-200 f/2.8 and the required nifty fifty,> It's my daughters wedding and will be on the beach at sunset, in Clearwater FL. VERY small wedding, bride groom, both sets of parents and sisters on each side, my daughter asked me to take some extra pictures, kind of the second photog, theres a pro photog included in the package, not sure how this will work, but will bw an interesting trip, Again thanks everyone for the assistance.

[fishfoto]

Jak,

Legal? Anything you can fit in a bag that of legal size.

There are NO restrictions on cameras, lenses, batteries, chargers,computer, cords, cables, pocket wizards, pre-triggers, flashes.......even tripods under a certain size are totally legal.

You will need to toss your can of soda before you get through security.

Let me know your airline and I'll send you the exact carry specs allowed by that airline.

[Billginthekeys]

As long as your bag is carry on size, nothing out of the ordinary applies to cameras. I know I have been stopped to have my bag examined a couple of times now, perhaps more out of envy than suspicion :p.

[cactusjak]

Fishfoto: and everyone else , you guys are great, and a lot of help. Perhaps "legal" was a harsh word, I work with with the safety department at a large manfacturing facility,so it was the first term to come to mind. It seems iromic to me, that you can have cables and PW's in the carryon luggage but no liquids! But we have to have rules and this is not the forum to debate them. I just got back from a wedding in Kansas City , of my daughters friend from school, had a great time, and took a few pictures, ate good food and enjoyed. We will be flying on Air Tran airlines,taking the 7 am flight on a Tuesday morning (hope the TSA people like mornings better than I do ) Again thank you all for the assistance will put up some pics from the wedding Jak

[yogestee]

The criteria changes from airline to airline and the country you are flying to/from..

I've been flying in and out of SE Asia from Australia since 2004..I carry my camera with my walk around lens in my camera bag.. Bulkier items like bigger lenses, monopod etc I pack into my checkin luggage.. Lenses go into a Lowepro lens bag then wrapped up in clothing for extra padding.. So far so good!!

[fishfoto]

Yog,

On my site, I have detailed the carry on restrictions for not only US carriers, but also international carriers. While I am based in the US, I travel through Europe often, and frequently work in Asia, always with my gear, as 99% of my travel is related to my work as a photog.

You can see some of the carry on requirements for different airlines around the world here:
http://flyingwithfish.blogspot.com/2007/03/18-march-2007-can-i-get-this-on-board.html

I am compiling a new list, with the addition of other carriers and hope to have it up in the next two weeks.

Happy Flying!

[yogestee]

Ok thanks Fish... I only fly Thai.. The only restrictions Thai have are liquids in your carryon luggage.. Cameras, batteries, mobile phones, MP3 players etc aren't a concern with them..

Another trick I have learned is get in early when you check in.. It appears the counter staff are a tad more congenial even with over weight checkin luggage..

[eddarr]

ill be flying out to WA from CT in a couple weeks...this should be fun..lol im ups'ing my clothes out there and just carrying on my kit.. hopefully this will work out.

There is a service that does this. You give them your bag a few days early and they guarantee it will be delivered to your destination the day you arrive. Saves all the hassle of having to check bags. Also save the hassle of being over the weight limit. Unfortunately I can't remember the name right now.:oops:

[strokeofg]

went through the Tampa airport just fine with camera, cables, cleaning fluid and wipe rag. It was kinda funny though. On my way back to Tampa through Santa Barbara (the airport is literally big enough for 2 maybe 3 planes), the TSP pulled out my cleaning fluid. They were nice enough to provide me a bag for it. We both laughed about it. interesting that Tampa didn't say anything about it though.

[lindsaynickel]

I was going to start a similar thread, but when I read this, I thought I'd just post here instead. I hope that's okay. :D

I'm flying for the first time about three weeks from now. It'll be a short flight, just Houston to Dallas, so no switching flights or anything. I'm flying Southwest, and they say you can have one carry on, and one smaller personal item, such as a purse or camera. No mention of what size camera/case though, which leaves me with questions. :lol: I'm currently looking for a bag to hold a 20D, 18-55mm lens, a few small accessories, and possibly a P&S. Would such a bag count as that smaller personal item, do you think? I want to bring my laptop case as my carry on, and the camera bag as the personal item. I just don't want to get there and find this is a problem, so I'm kinda paranoid, having never done this before.

[FlyingPhotog]

I was going to start a similar thread, but when I read this, I thought I'd just post here instead. I hope that's okay. :D

I'm flying for the first time about three weeks from now. It'll be a short flight, just Houston to Dallas, so no switching flights or anything. I'm flying Southwest, and they say you can have one carry on, and one smaller personal item, such as a purse or camera. No mention of what size camera/case though, which leaves me with questions. :lol: I'm currently looking for a bag to hold a 20D, 18-55mm lens, a few small accessories, and possibly a P&S. Would such a bag count as that smaller personal item, do you think? I want to bring my laptop case as my carry on, and the camera bag as the personal item. I just don't want to get there and find this is a problem, so I'm kinda paranoid, having never done this before.

I fly 30+ weeks a year with a traditional Targus laptop/briefcase and either:
- Slingshot 300AW
- Computrekker AW

I've never had a problem on any domestic trip on a US-flagged airline.

In fact, I've only been asked to open my camera bag once in nearly 20 years of air travel. It was in tiny Florence, SC of all places...

[fishfoto]

Airports TSA operations are very inconsistent from station to station. At times the policies many not be consistent from terminal to terminal the same airport.

Your fluid being allowed once and yanked the second time is not uncommon. I fly 200,000+ miles per year, with four regular airports (3 local, one a frequent destination airport that's security is not actually run by the TSA, the TSA contracts it out).

.....and SWA does a visual inspection of bags, they have no template, but the max is 45 linear inches for the carry on. SWA has no defined size policy for 'personal item'

[BrinNutz]

Well, if coming into the States...

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0126069520080801

[krb]

I haven't seen it mentioned in this thread but if you've got a multi-tool in your camera bag then you'll want to do something about that before getting to the front of the security check line...

[fishfoto]

Well, if coming into the States...

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0126069520080801


The US CBP/US DHS policy was laid out on the 16th of July. This policy statement was reaffirming a policy that was upheld in 2006 by the US 9th Circuit Court. The policy has been in place well prior to 2006. In fact from what I can tell, the policy of search and review without probable cause dates back officially to the 1960s (I am working on verifying that). The data on a laptop or PDA is equal to any written notes you may have in a journal, date planner, scrap of paper. The information on the electronic devices is essentially to what information used to be found in analog text written out.

I have been following this since around the summer of 2007, PC Magazine did a story this past winter as did ABC News. I have absolutely no idea why the Washington Post thought they should do a completely 'surface story' that barely scratches the surface today considering it is not breaking news. With the WashPost story other news outlets are picking up a story that is at best two weeks old (since the July 16 policy statement) and is really 2 years old following the 2006 court ruling.

This topic has been discussed at length and in detail on FlyerTalk for a VERY long time.

You can read my take on this, and some tips for getting your data through US Customs (if you're worried) here:
http://flyingwithfish.blogspot.com/2008/08/us-customs-has-right-to-search-your.html




.......similar laws are in place in other countries to varying extents, including Canada and the United Kingdom.

[JouerCanon]

Laws with airline travel amuse me from time to time when I think about when I was a child traveling with my mother. In one trip to Europe, my mother bought me a Victorinox pocket tool and I was freely able to travel with it from the flight back home. Actually, I flew from England, and I can clearly remember one of the security officers look at my pocket knife, look at me, and then asked his fellow worker next to him. That person looked at me, and was like, yeah, why not, he's just a kid. Oh, what good times it was back then... at least for me, lol.

[FlyingPhotog]

Laws with airline travel amuse me from time to time when I think about when I was a child traveling with my mother. In one trip to Europe, my mother bought me a Victorinox pocket tool and I was freely able to travel with it from the flight back home. Actually, I flew from England, and I can clearly remember one of the security officers look at my pocket knife, look at me, and then asked his fellow worker next to him. That person looked at me, and was like, yeah, why not, he's just a kid. Oh, what good times it was back then... at least for me, lol.

Whole lot of things changed on 9/11/01 ...

It ain't your Daddy's USofA anymore (unfortunately)

[fishfoto]

Last time I flew with a 'multi-tool' on my belt was round-trip on Sept 15th 2001, Hartford-Chicago-Oakland ...... and the return 12hrs later.

The rules changed in the days after that, when I flew 2 or 3 days later.

(I was in NYC on the 11th of Sept 2001 until the 14th and decided I didn't want to be down there anymore, so I took another assignment no one wanted......photographing Americans taking to the air again and the start of 'homeland security' , that assignment ended up lasting nearly 4 years)

[cactusjak]

I just realised that I hadn't posted my experience. I must say that it was definetly not what I had read about. When we checked in at MCI ( Kansas City) there were only 6 people in line and my family were three of them, after telling the screener that this was my 1st time since they were flying bi-planes he got a laugh and things went by almost as I remember 22 years ago with the exception of taking of the shoes. My daughter forgot about the bag and had to go through the secondary screening, but as soon as she stated that she forgot, and this was her 1st time flying , all was well. On the trip back from TPA (tampa) they ran the camera bag through X ray about 4 times then a supervisor informed the screener that he was looking at a camera, and my daughter forgot the same 3 oz bottles in her bag again, all went well. Thanks again for all the replies it was a great help