Flying With Camera Gear...Interesting Info On Carry-On Bags (1 of 2)

[fishfoto]

A few months back I created an informal survey of airline gate agents regarding flying with camera equipment in a bag that is legal size, but overweight (a few lbs overweight, not like 20lbs/9kgs over weight).

While there are times photogs get stopped and forced to check their carry-on baggage, I found the responses to this direct question interesting. Of the 75 airline agents who I contacted, almost all were sourced from LinkedIn, all 75 responded back!

The vast majority of airline gate agents were based in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom. Others polled were from Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong, Tokyo (NRT), Mumbai, Canada (YYZ, YVR, YOW), Germany (FRA/MUC), France (CDG) and Holland (AMS)

Of the 75, 61 said they would be MORE likely to show leniency towards a passenger who opened their bag and displayed a case full of professional camera equipment!

Two from Ryanair indicated they were bound by the airlines strict rules. Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines gate agents had similar replies to those from Ryanair. Of the 3 who replied from Air New Zealand, the agents in NZ/OZ said no, the agent based at London/LHR said they'd allow it on.

[Rimwalker]

My experience with Singapore Air reflects this — the gate agent on the American side of the flight was very strict about weight — although on the Singapore side they didn't weigh bags, but limited passengers to one carry on only, not a carry on and a personal item.

[gembobs]

Hmm interesting. Emirates are the same - strict in the UK, lenient elsewhere.

I know in the UK, they weigh all hand baggage and are only allowed 7kgs max. In the past I was told my bag had to go in the hold (SLR and a couple of lenses and an old video camera), I argued the case that I was flying to Jo'burg where my partner had his case rifled through and stuff had been stolen the week before, but no leniency from Emirates check in staff.

Yet when I re-boarded in Dubai, people had massive carry on bags!

[_aravena]

America seems safe doesn't it? I never had a problem with security and gear. IN fact because I forgot film in my bag once I kinda got frustrated at them about running my bag through again and they opened it and let me go.

Yes, I yelled at airport security after 9/11 and I still had film. :D

[sharkii]

Depending on my personal experience (mostly turkish airlines and lufthansa throughout the years) I havent had many problems while showing the contents of the bag; the cameras and the lenses... other than the time I was visiting kazahstan. My advice for the ones whose gonna visit kazakhtan they better get a translator and some cash for bribing the officers with them... as they always try to cause problem regarding customs with your lenses and it did happen 3 times to me on all the flights from there...

But the story is much different elsewhere for example on my way back from my last visit to the U.S. with a Lowepro computrekker full of my photo equipment in addition to 2 loan lenses plus a 17 inch HP brick and 3 headphones (one pro grade noise cancelling)+several cables+ chargers+a gaming pad(to play PES on flight) it was over 9kgs :) I did what I always do with the exit row request from the desk manager with a smile on my face:) it worked as it always does..and I did store my bag in the first overhead compartment that my lowepro fits perfectly without any other passangers bag as company.. and after the plane was off the ground I did what I always do on the atlantic flights: I use my lowepro computrekker as a foot rest creating a full bed out of my tiny little economy class seat with a full grin on my face:) I should remind you that I can not be called a small person being 6.2 feet with 240lbs of pure photographer muscle for telephotos :)