Roller Bag... USA restrictions and limits...

[ANGUS]

My main concern with carrying gear in a large bag such as an Airport Security is having to check in all my gear at once, What im currently thinking is to get 2 bags.

Local restrictions are as follows and i need to know USA and any other restrictions.
Australian and New Zealand Domestic All Classes:
2 x 105cm (41in) bags or
1 x 105cm (41in) bag plus 1 x 185cm (73in) non rigid garment bag or
1 x 115cm (45in) bag
All Dash aircrafts
1 x 105cm (41in) bag 4kg (9lb) total
All International First/Business/Premium Economy:
2 x 115cm (45in) bags or
1 x 115cm (45in) bag plus 1 x 185cm (73in) non rigid garment bag
Economy:
1 x 115cm (45in) bag or
1 x 185cm (73in) non rigid garment bag

105CM (41in) is described as:
48cm (19in) + 34cm (13in) + 23cm (9in) = 105cm (41in)
115CM (45in) is described as:
56cm (22in) + 36cm (14in) + 23cm (9in) = 115cm (45in)

So it looks like 45in is my largest allowed size.
Think Tank Sizes are:
Airport Airstream: 14" x 8" x 17.5" = 39.5"
Airport International: 14" x 8" x 21" = 43"
Airport Security V2.0: 14" x 9" x 22" = 45"

What i was thinking is either:
OPTION 1:
ThinkTank Airport Security V2.0
Pros: Holds all my stuff
Cons: May all need to be checked in
OPTION 2:
ThinkTank Airport Airstream x2
Pros: Holds all my gear, if i need to i can backpack one and roll the other and if i need to check them i can check just 1.
Cons: Are there any?

Any help would be great.

It needs to hold:
1x 1D MkII
1x 40D with Grip
1x 17-35 f2.8 L
1x 24-70 f2.8 L
1x 70-200 f2.8 IS L
1x 85 f1.8
1x 300 f2.8 IS L
1x 1.4TC
1x 2TC
2x 580EX II Speedlights
2x CPE4 Battery Packs
1x OCE3 ETTL Cord
3x Pocket Wizard Plus IIs
2x Think Tank CF Card holders
Various cords etc

[ANGUS]

Another option is to get 1x Airport Airstream and 1x Airport Acceleration Backpack.

[ANGUS]

Anyone?

[Snipps]

I would avoid checking, so I would not recommend the AS.
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/2007

I would say that a one Airport International and one Airport Airstream is a good option. The Airstream can be backpacked and put under the seat but doesn't hold that much while the International can hold a bit more and go in the overhead. As you have seen a fair amount of gear can be stuffed inside the international.

[ANGUS]

If you read my original post that isnt posible. i will need to take them on some smaller flights so i need the option to check in some less esential gear.

[Snipps]

Well if you need to check either way then I would probably go with the AS. Carrying one bigger bag IMO is much easier than carrying two small bags.

[ANGUS]

I also go on trips with only smaller amount so multiple bags is better so i can leave some. I have since decided to get a ThinkTank Airstreem and then have my Domke F7AF to use if need be.

[sdsviet]

maybe u can take 2 bags for carry on? like if u bring ur laptop with u, that in itself can be considered a seperate bag and maybe u can put stuff in that bag that doesnt fit in ur camera bag. i believe here in the states i can use a small suitcase bag and a laptop bookbag as carry-ons. correct me if im wrong.

[fishfoto]

Carry-on bags in the United States are more lax than in other countries, such as flying out of New Zealand or Germany.

The limitations in the US are airline imposed, if you're within the carry-on limits of the US-DHS (TSA) guidelines. You need to be wary of flying on American Airlines specifically, followed by US Airways (which is doing limited and random bag checks).

No U.S. Airline allows for two full-size carry on bags, however there are work-around options. You can use an Airport International for some equipment, then use a backpack such as the Mountainsmith Parallax which generally draws no attention from anyone as a carry on (it will hold a 13' laptop, not a 15").

If you must try and get a complete work-around, pack what needs to be packed in an Airport International, then stuff other equipment in a vest. A vest is not subject to any weight restrictions. When you get on board you leave the loaded vest and your feet and reload it into an empty checked rolling bag upon arrival at your destination.

If you must check (not gate check, but fully check) your bag, take the essentials on-board in an Airport International and pack the rest in a Pelican 1514 which can safely carry our gear in the cargo hold.

Your real concern will be WEIGHT. If you get caught in a weight check, such as flying via NZ, or certain Euro countries, you'll have a problem.


For carry-on info on specific airlines check this post on Flying With Fish
http://flyingwithfish.blogspot.com/2007/03/18-march-2007-can-i-get-this-on-board.html

.....also you need to let us know if you are flying economy, business or first class. You list carry on for all classes. If you are flying economy the rules for business class don't matter to you. No one passes us an $1,100 airfare for a $7,500 business class seat (steep discounted fare to Oz from the US) just to fly with additional carry on bags.

If you have specifics, feel free to e-mail me directly at fish@flyingwithfish.com

[tommykjensen]

For carry-on info on specific airlines check this post on Flying With Fish
http://flyingwithfish.blogspot.com/2007/03/18-march-2007-can-i-get-this-on-board.html


I would advice anybody flying to check the official airline / airport websites for the most accurate and upto date information.

[fishfoto]

Tommy,

I edited and updated some of the info in that post in the past two months.

My post also clearly states that you should check with your airlines. Airlines however have not changed their size restrictions. What airlines are doing is now stating weight limits and actually enforcing weight limits.

Some airlines are making the bag situation confusing. They have shifted the numbers around in the carry on requirement, while still maintaining the 45linear inch allowance. Why they have done this I have no idea.

It is also good to know that in general US airlines do not count the wheels of a roll-aboard bag towards the total size of the bag, while many Asian and some Euro airline include the wheels in the total size of the bag. So looking at the dimensions is not always the best, knowing if the wheels are included or excluded is quite important when flying an international carrier.

[Amamba]

I don't know about international flights, but on domestic flights flying Northwest, Southwest or American I've carried my laptop bag without any problem, ever. It's a rolling backpack 21"H x 14"W x 10-14" deep depending on the load. I've seen people carrying much bigger bags. And if it's a carry-on they don't make you weigh it. Now it may be different coming here so you really should check with your airline.

Another thing they would often let you do, is take your reasonably large item to the gate and ask agent at the gate to check it in; this way it's not thrown into luggage compartment but stored somewhere in the plane. We've done it when we were traveling with a stroller and we were concerned about it being damaged. Again, the best thing is to call your airline. However from what I saw none of the bags you listed are bigger than my laptop bag.

[fishfoto]

Amamba,

American Airlines is now leading the way in weighing or measuring carry on bags. AA's history of his goes back many years. In 2005, when I flew 420,000 miles while shooting photo assignments, I stopped flying AA after being stopped 3 times in a 3 week period (allat DFW) and having my ThinkTank Airport Addicted Backpack weighed and being informed I'd need to check it.

After each of these incidents I exited security, walked up to the Delta counter and ended up buying a new ticket to my destination.

Northwest should not be making any new policy changes with it's upcoming merge with Delta. As NWA should cease to exist by the start of 2009, the airline will wait until it is part of Delta Airlines to implement new policies.