Flying with a Pelican 1500 Series

[wykdfantasy]

I have been researching for days as to which pelican case I want to order, I have narrowed down to one of two models. Either the 1520 or the 1550 case. The 1550 case is about an inch to two inches larger all around, however it just barely breaks over the FAA current flying requirements of 45 linear inches.

My question is, has anyone here flown with a 1550 and was it a problem to bring as a carry on?

I would rather have the larger case to ensure there is proper room for my equipment, I have the stuff listed in my signature, as well as a few goodies I just bought this week including a 24-70L, 580EX II, however I will leave behind the two kit lenses I have listed. I would like to store my camera with the 70-200L attached in the case as well.

Please advise any suggestions, I am new at this and could use the guidance thank you all.

[ben_r_]

From all that I have read nothing larger than the 1514 is safe to try and fly anywhere with...

[wykdfantasy]

Well according to the FAA any item that is less than 45 linear inches meaning to add up all sides L + D + W = linear inches, then it is ok for carry on. The 1520 series will fit that measurement, and the 1550 misses it by 2". I am just wondering how strict they are about it, and if anyone has the 1520 or 1550, is there really that much difference in the 1" - 2" between the cases.

[neil_r]

If you really want to have the case with you and not have it checked then you can not risk 1550, More often than not whether you get to carry on oversized items will depend on how observant and just how "jobsworth" the check in staff are feeling. You could get away with it 50 times and then on the 51st you don't. You could take the risk, but if challenged you wont have a leg to stand on.

[wykdfantasy]

You make a good point, I am just worried about checking in the pelican, do any of ya'll check it in rather than carry it on? Is it in danger of being damaged at all if handled rough? If not then there really is no reason to not check it in, as I have it insured if it got lost, which would still suck, but not a total loss.

[neil_r]

I regularly fly to India and check a Pelican 1650, to date no problem (over 40 flights)

[condyk]

If you really want to have the case with you and not have it checked then you can not risk 1550, More often than not whether you get to carry on oversized items will depend on how observant and just how "jobsworth" the check in staff are feeling. You could get away with it 50 times and then on the 51st you don't. You could take the risk, but if challenged you wont have a leg to stand on.

This is absolutely spot on. People often forget the reality of check-in and flying isn't necessarily dictated by what is written on a page. I've flown no problem with my Peli a number of times, but my last trip I was refused it as a carry on. If they ask you to weigh it then you have no chance because they are heavy cases even empty. Airline rules win and the check-in person rules the interpretation of those rules.

You make a good point, I am just worried about checking in the pelican, do any of ya'll check it in rather than carry it on? Is it in danger of being damaged at all if handled rough? If not then there really is no reason to not check it in, as I have it insured if it got lost, which would still suck, but not a total loss.

The Peli with easily stand up to cargo. The only concern is loss. My stuff is insured but if I lose my bag en route to Africa say, full of my absolute essentials, then the trip is screwed photo wise. If I had a problem on a big trip then I'd likely put all in cargo apart from some batteries, a few CF's, laptop, body and my long lens up to the weight limits, or wear the camera.

[Mark]

Yep the concern is loss with checking, which is why I prefer not to...
I have found that I can pack what I need into a vertex 100, and am now using that instead of the 1510 I used before, makes life so much easier in the airports.....

IE, go to a camera store and stick your gear in bags, until you find the smallest bag that holds what you want to take and is comfy, then buy that if you want carryon...
If you want checked, storage or roadtrip cases then go for a 16xx series maybe...

BTW my vertex weighs 11kg fully loaded, haven't gotten picked up for it yet by pretending to be carrying it like a feather with one strap....

[fishfoto]

IThe 1550 case is about an inch to two inches larger all around, however it just barely breaks over the FAA current flying requirements of 45 linear inches.



The answer, in short, is Yes, although 45.62 is not that much over 45", the dimensions don't match 'standard' allowable dimensions.

The Pelican 1550's exterior dimensions are:
20.62 x 16.87 x 8.12"

The 'average' carry on bag dimension for airlines is:
22in x 15in x 8in


It may not seem like a big deal, but it will be a problem, chances are you will be stopped. Gate Agents look at bags all day long, and since he Pelican cases look larger than they are to start with they are scrutinized more frequently by airline gate agents. I have been flying with a Pelican 1514 for a few years now, extensively, and have been stopped more than a dozen times by US carriers to have my bag size checked. The Pelican 1514's dimensions are 22 x 13.81 x 9.0", or equal to 44.81 linear inches, but the design of the case visually makes it look larger than it is.


Many airports outside the US have a somewhat strict 'template' test. More and more templates are appearing in airports within the United States and Canada.

You can view some of templates and read about airline carry-on baggage templates on my blog for traveling photogs, Flying With Fish (http://www.flyingwithfish.com), in this entry:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/01/22/airline-carry-on-baggage-templates-does-anyone-measure-them/

Why not get a 1514? The case rolls, which makes it ideal. The 1550 is not a roller and carrying the weight of these cases loaded is HEAVY!

This is my 1514 a few weeks ago loaded for work
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/fishfoto/20090323_Pelican_1514.jpg

2 full size, bodies, 6 'smaller' lenses (f2.8/f1.4/f1.2), 70-200f2.8L, 2 flashes, multiple spare batteries, battery charger (under the lens along with a spare battery), set of pocket wizards, and some other random stuff packed in there as well).

Its a good case, legal for international carry-on (size, not always weight ...ALWAYS CHECK CARRY-ON WEIGHT LIMITS WHEN FLYING INTERNATIONALLY)

Happy Flying!

[Bumgardnern]

I would go with the 1514 for carry on. It is according to the Pelican site their largest bag that is carry on safe.

[cicopo]

The 1550 is too big for carry on & I don't think it would fit in some overhead compartments. It also doesn't fit your use of leaving a lens on your body using the dividers that come with it. Those dividers run lengthwise splitting the compartment into 3 sections, and then you split those up as needed. Since I have a 1550 and want to use it to store & move my gear locally I think I have figured out a way to do what I'm looking for in a hard case. I WANT to keep 2 1D series bodies with lenses attached & ready to go, my 1d2n with 70-200 F2.8 L IS and my 1Ds2 with 100-400. After a heck of a lot of research I think I've found the answer to what will work for me. This may not suit other people but it's exactly what I want, plus I think I can even keep a 3rd body with lens ready to go between the big boys. The photo shows the body / lens layout, but all 3 will be put into wedge shaped bags so everything will be protected. The Lowepro Off Trail 1 should fit the 5D2 body with a 24-105 length lens, and the Lowepro Off Trail 2 bags should fit the other 2 bodies and there will still be room for a couple of short lenses & spare batteries or a flash etc, each in a pouch (all batteries in 1 lens pouch.)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_z3rAnHnUjjY/Sd-Fx6hfS-I/AAAAAAAAjEI/Fa9C3g3wZBI/s800/IMG_0834.JPG

I'll be ordering the bags soon along with a few other items including a smaller Pelican case, which is still undecided as to model but so far the 1450 is on the top of my short list but still planning & thinking. I wouldn't use a Pelican hard case as my carry on but may buy the PCS 283 soft case for that use. Right now I use lots of pouches with bodies or lenses stuffed into my regular suitcase style carry on bag, plus a large Think Tank camera bag as my personal item. Luckily neither bag has been weighed to date.

[Cadwell]

Last time I tried to fly international with a Peli 1550 they were willing to stretch the point with size but threw a fit at the weight. Loaded with 2x 1 Series, 70-200, 100-400, 120-300, 24-105 and 17-40 it topped 20kg/44lb. Carry on "limit" was 5kg.

[pigtailpat]

I'm not a peli owner, but let me tell you my experience...

I too wanted the largest bag possible to fit all gear, and never thought I would ever have to fly with the stuff... so last summer I picked up an AS (TT).

3 weeks later, my niece annouces she is engaged, and suddenly trips to Michigan appear on the horizon. My airport uses the smaller CJ planes, and there's a good chance that although the AS fits the 45" dimension, it won't make it on the smaller CJ's for check-in. So I had to spend more money on top for an antidote. I hate having to spend more money, but it won't go to waste because another niece has gotten engaged, so now I have 2 weddings in Michigan, with a third probably someday.....and once my youngest graduates high school in 5 years I hope to get some traveling in when I am free......

The best advice was given above, get to a store and try out and get the SMALLEST bag that fit your stuff. You can't fight with airport personnel and trying to stretch the rules, you'll regret it.

[wykdfantasy]

I want to thank everyone for thier input, I am trying to let my fingers do the walking as I dont have the availablility to go to any stores right now, I am currently stationed in Iraq, so there is no where for me to go, but I do need a rugged case for my gear. I have narrowed my search down to now the 1510 as suggested or the 1520, I see now that the 1550 would be way to large for my needs and for flying.

If anyone has a 1520 please let me know how this works out, the dimentions as listed on B&H are :
18.06 x 12.89 x 6.72" (45.87 x 32.74 x 17.07cm) (WxDxH)
Lid depth: 1.79" (4.55cm)
Bottom depth: 4.93" (12.52cm)

now does a 50D sized camera fit ok in the bottom when opened or does it protrude into the lid when closed? If so, is it well protected from shock? I am looking for which case is going to give me a better shock protection for my gear, I know almost everyone hands down suggests the divider versions of the case due to ease of change and use. But for my needs of maximum shock protection durring transport and I have the gear I am going to use and keep, I want to go with the foam version.

My goal is to put my 50D with the 70-200 Lens attached, the 24-70 lens, 580EX II, extra battery, and I am thinking of getting the grip for my 50D, so will it still fit either of those two cases hight wise gripped?

Again, thank you all for your help as I am very limited to only browsing the net and of course this great forum for my information for the next 6 months.

[cicopo]

Considering your situation I've measured my 1550 depth and from what I can tell the measurements listed by Pelican are the depty WITHOUT any padding of any kind, but they do not include the height of the stepped up part that compresses against the O ring in the lid. The listed depth for my case is 5.87 inches. the step adds about 1/4 inch to that so my ruler says total depth is 6 1/8 inches. With the padded insert that goes with the dividers that depth measures 5 1/2 inch to the top of the step, or 5 1/4 inch official depth if I'm understanding their measuring system. I guess you'll have to decide on the minimum amount of foam UNDER your camera that still makes you feel it's safe.
The padding in the divider base is more dense than the foam will be and I just measured the foam base from my 1200 case, and it's 1/2 inch thick and very easy to compress compared to the divider padding. I also checked the measurements & I'm pretty sure about how they list the measurements being as I have stated.
I think if it were me I'd use a dence foam pad in place of the factory piece, but the pick n pluck would be OK I think, and that's what I think I'll be doing if I order a 1450 for my small & light 5D2 case.