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

[fishfoto]

I recently did an informal survey of frequent flyers, 15 men and 15 women asking their experience of being stopped to have their bag's size/weight checked by a gate agent. You may be surprised a the results of the poll.

Find out here: http://bagcheck.notlong.com (http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbagcheck%2Enotlong%2Ecom&urlhash=We7m&_t=disc_detail_link)

Happy Flying

[jgrussell]

Doesn't surprise me in the least. Factor in comparative size: women generally are smaller than men, their bags will look comparatively larger/heavier.

[foxbat]

Less likely to throw a punch at the checkin staff too.

[Wilt]

The same weight and size of bag
1) looks larger in relationship to the size of the smaller stature person, and
2) women struggle more with equal weight, simply due to average male strength advantage.

[fishfoto]

Wilt,

I agree, however when I look at a bag, I look at the bag. I am pretty good at eyeballing 'legal' bags by size regardless of who is rolling it. You'd think airline personnel would be good at this as well!

[mikekelley]

I don't understand the carry on weight limit. If it is of the correct size, what's the big deal?

I guess this is true to a point, I wouldn't want a block of lead carved to the maximum specified size above my head in the carryon. But I think anything sub 75 pounds isn't going to do any harm.

Are we going to start telling people that they are too heavy to fly?

[Rimwalker]

I don't understand the carry on weight limit. If it is of the correct size, what's the big deal?

I guess this is true to a point, I wouldn't want a block of lead carved to the maximum specified size above my head in the carryon. But I think anything sub 75 pounds isn't going to do any harm.

Are we going to start telling people that they are too heavy to fly?

I have to agree with this - I'll gladly stand on the scale with my bag, and compare that to any number of other people standing in line with their luggage...

[Rai33]

I have to agree with this - I'll gladly stand on the scale with my bag, and compare that to any number of other people standing in line with their luggage...
Reminds me of a funny story...

My brother used that argument to avoid being charged for excess baggage (which was four large car wheels he was bringing back for me from Italy - yeah he's top brother!) Our mom is tiny so he lifted her up and said look how light she is then pointed to very large (in polite speak) guy in a far-away queue and asked if he's paying excess baggage. The girl at counter could only laugh and he got away with checking it all in FOC :lol:

[FlyingPhotog]

I don't understand the carry on weight limit. If it is of the correct size, what's the big deal?

I guess this is true to a point, I wouldn't want a block of lead carved to the maximum specified size above my head in the carryon. But I think anything sub 75 pounds isn't going to do any harm.

Are we going to start telling people that they are too heavy to fly?

The overheads do have manufacturers weight limits above which they may not hold up in the event of turbulence or a hard landing. It only takes 20 degrees of bank to increase the weight loading by 2X on an aircraft and its contents. Rapid onset of Gs due to turbulence can cause massive (if only momentary) weight increases of 4 to 5 times normal weight.

Airlines will re-seat extremely obese individuals if there is a concern over weight & balance.

[Rudi]

Absolutely! One thing you learn when you get your pilot's license is how to load a plane correctly - this even includes seating of people inside the cabin on smaller planes, etc. - the plane has to be balanced so as to be able to fly safely. The large airliners do the same thing, only on a much larger scale.

[FlyingPhotog]

Absolutely! One thing you learn when you get your pilot's license is how to load a plane correctly - this even includes seating of people inside the cabin on smaller planes, etc. - the plane has to be balanced so as to be able to fly safely. The large airliners do the same thing, only on a much larger scale.

They also work with FAA approved "Standard" weights for men, women and children..

They differ for summer and winter (coats!) and IIRC, they've been raised a couple of times over the past three to five years as American girth has increased.

Large commercial aircraft also have to pump fuel in specific ways to keep the W&B envelope within spec.

[tropicsmania]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned (or maybe everyone is afraid to mention) that there is a societal stereo-type that women pack too much, take too much stuff, etc. I'm sure that most women will agree that at some point their significant other has made a comment about taking too much stuff when they have been packing for a trip. I'm sure that this play a very large part in the results.

I'm sure that there might be similar results when looking at how many women vs. men get stopped for a full search at the border when returning home (at least to Canada). I think that the border guards expect that women have purchased more than men while out of the country and therefore are more often subjected to a closer inspection to see if we have been trying to get away without paying taxes and duty on purchased items.

With all that said, I do feel the need to defend myself and point out that when going on vacation I'm generally good with how much I pack but I need to convince DH to take less fishing gear.

[CMcKee]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned (or maybe everyone is afraid to mention) that there is a societal stereo-type that women pack too much, take too much stuff, etc. I'm sure that most women will agree that at some point their significant other has made a comment about taking too much stuff when they have been packing for a trip. I'm sure that this play a very large part in the results.

I have to agree with the over packing. Women are more likely to be paranoid about lost luggage and take more on board with them. Since we need more stuff to get ready each day then a guy needs.

[tgara]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned (or maybe everyone is afraid to mention) that there is a societal stereo-type that women pack too much, take too much stuff, etc.


It's not a stereotype. Its the truth! On a recent vacation, my wife brought 9 pairs of shoes for a 4 day trip. I'm not saying that it is "too much", whatever that means. Just pointing out that the women I know always pack more stuff than men.

[Wilt]

It's not a stereotype. Its the truth! On a recent vacation, my wife brought 9 pairs of shoes for a 4 day trip. I'm not saying that it is "too much", whatever that means. Just pointing out that the women I know always pack more stuff than men.

My wife is much better now than 10 years ago...she packs much lighter after our first trip to Europe where she almost broke the camel's back (me) and the airline definitely broke a magnesium-framed hardsided 29" Samsonite suitcase!

Our youngest daughter (23) is still learning to be more efficient packing. Her challenge is even deciding what to wear, going thru 4-5 changes of clothing before deciding what is acceptable even before she leaves the house!

[jgrussell]

It's not a stereotype. Its the truth! On a recent vacation, my wife brought 9 pairs of shoes for a 4 day trip.It is a stereotype. Like many women, I don't even OWN nine pairs of shoes.

[Wilt]

It is a stereotype. Like many women, I don't even OWN nine pairs of shoes.


...and then I am reminded of a photo published in the Sunday newspaper (I wonder about how many POTN members even subscribe to one any more!) about a single woman who had remodelled her bedroom, and there was a walk in closet with an entire wall full of shelves, all filled with shoes, all of them black! :(

[nuffi]

Sooner or later airports are going to start weighing every bag.

I fear it's gonna be sooner than ppl might imagine.

[FlyingPhotog]

Sooner or later airports are going to start weighing every bag.

I fear it's gonna be sooner than ppl might imagine.

They have to strike a balance against operational expediency.

Not that long ago the big "fear" was that every bag was going to be hand inspected. Well, that didn't come to pass.

I don't think the airlines will really want to take the time to weigh every single carry on bag. They'll continue to do it "by eye" and make WAGs which (probably) is why Fish's straw poll came back so out of whack in the first place.

[imahawki]

I think some people don't understand the definition of the word stereotype. One (or several anecdotal) individual(s) counter the the statistical average does not make the statement a stereotype. "Men are typically larger than women." If I find 10 men and women some of the women are going to larger than some of the men, that doesn't make that statement a stereotype for crying out loud. Women typically pack more for trips, that some women don't pack as much as the "average" doesn't make that a stereotype. Its called variety. Now if someone says women always pack more than men, well then, they're just an idiot.

The survey linked to in the first post doesn't address a key factor. Maybe the women's bags were on average, closer to the weight and size limit than the men's. It says none of them were actually over but if the men's were on average, no where near the limit and the women's were, on average, very close to the limit, then sure, they're going to get stopped more. Duh!

[nicksan]

Apparently they either already are or thinking about it.

If you can't fit in one seat, you need to buy a second one or move where there's an empty seat next to you. If there are none, they can kick you out of the plane.

I think I read this on cnn.com

[quote=mikekelley;7823200
Are we going to start telling people that they are too heavy to fly?[/quote]

[_aravena]

Aren't heavy passengers now having to pay for two seats in some situations. I think that's perfectly fair. If you don't want to take a midnight or some out flight where there are fewer people and you can have a choice and airliners should mention/allow this.

Then who knows, the 12 o'clock from Dulles may only be big people for that reason. Who knows, but that'd be news worthy.

[DennisW1]

I don't understand the carry on weight limit. If it is of the correct size, what's the big deal?

I guess this is true to a point, I wouldn't want a block of lead carved to the maximum specified size above my head in the carryon. But I think anything sub 75 pounds isn't going to do any harm.

Are we going to start telling people that they are too heavy to fly?

Well, sort of.

The NY Daily News story line:
"United Airlines to charge overweight passengers for two seats"

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/04/15/2009-04-15_united_airlines_to_charge_overweight_passenger_ for_two_seats.html

And if you've ever been compressed into 2/3 of your seat by an overly large passenger sitting next to you, it's hard to argue with this idea.

[hollis_f]

Yeah, just great. Us really tall people are already discriminated against. We have to try and squeeze our legs into a space that is narrower than my shoe. If we want to sit in an exit row we have to pay extra on some airlines, then we have to put up with morons tripping over our legs. Now they're going to make us pay for an extra seat just because we're not bloody midgets.

[fishfoto]

which (probably) is why Fish's straw poll came back so out of whack in the first place.


I didn't use straw. I used broken sticks from my backyard :lol:

[fishfoto]

If you don't want to take a midnight or some out flight where there are fewer people and you can have a choice and airliners should mention/allow this.


FYI: West Coast-to-East Coast, West Coast to Asia and East Coast to Europe...often the most popular flights are the overnight red-eye flights leaving late in the evening. Looking at the passenger load factors this is consistent.

As a frequent red-eye flyer, it is my flight of choice from the west coast to the east coast, I find these flights often quite full.

[fishfoto]

Well, sort of.

The NY Daily News story line:
"United Airlines to charge overweight passengers for two seats"


Southwest Airlines has had this policy for 20+ years. United just put it into practice, which you can read about here : http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/04/15/united-airlines-institutes-two-seat-requirement-for-customers-of-size/

[adrian5127]

If you do the survey again you should ask the sex of the person stopping to check the baggage, I bet most of them were men;)

[fishfoto]

Adrian,

I sent a quick e-mail to 20 airline customer service agents I know. All work for three US domestic airlines. 10 male, 10 female. I asked them if they noticed that one gender is stopped more often than another gender to check bags for size & weight.

6 men wrote back, 5 women wrote back.

three of the men commented that more men are stopped; 2 wrote back they had no idea; one wrote back more women are stopped.

three of the women commented than more men are stopped ; 1 wrote back they had no idea; one rote back more women are stopped.

So of 20 people contacted, who do the stopping; 11 responded and SIX say that men are more likely to be stopped!

[Tomi Hawk]

I love the search feature here at POTN! :twothumbsup: :)

I'm flying home to Hawaii, from Vegas, to shoot a wedding in November.
To say that I'm a little freaked out about some of my gear ending up in the belly of the plane,
would be putting it a little mildly .. ;)

What are the size/weight limits .. for the over-head storage thing-a-ma-jiggers?
Do different airlines have different regulations? How do you guys travel with all your gear?

I have 3 - 20D's gripped, 4 lenses .. 2 Metz 60CT-4 flashes, like 8 batteries ..
(I read the thingy on the batteries earlier)
My Bogen tripod, which I can check in no problem. Done it a ton of times.

I only ask because this will be my first major jaunt since 9/11 ..
Most everything I have is coming with me .. so I may be a bit heavy .. but over-limit?

The heaviest lens I have is the 80-400 Tokina .. other then that, the two Metz flashes
are prolly quite bulky, not to mention the Metz battery packs for both.

Am I able to take 2 bags on? I did when I left Hawaii, but, that was before 9/11.

Thanks for this thread Fish ..
I know I coulda started one, but felt this was an appropiate place to ask.

Thanks in advance folks! :)
Tomi

[TheMissouriShooter]

Very interesting topic. Last February my wife and I flew from St. Louis, MO Ft. Meyers, Fl on American Airlines. Each ticket (round trip) was $110.00 We decided to take our dog. The pups ticket are carry on was $100.00 each way and it counted a my carry on bag.

Go Figure

[Tomi Hawk]

Very interesting topic. Last February my wife and I flew from St. Louis, MO Ft. Meyers, Fl on American Airlines. Each ticket (round trip) was $110.00 We decided to take our dog. The pups ticket are carry on was $100.00 each way and it counted a my carry on bag.

Go Figure
WOW!!!! So err, how big was the pup, and what did he weigh?
And would he fit in my camera bag? :)

[yabbie]

I once took my entire kit - 1 camera, 5 lenses, plus all the various chargers + my laptop in a separate bag as carry-on, 21kg in all. Moving back home from a year away, I'd already maxed out the check in limit. It was very tiring making it look light and dainty in all of the various lines - couldn't put it down and pick it up again, as that would have been game over!
I've had to use the 'duty free' trick before too - but sir, it's duty free! When asked to put it all on the scales - produced a duty free bag, and packed all the heavy stuff in there.
At 47kg myself, I figure it's not hurting anyone to load a bit more into the carry-on.

Lots of travel insurance companies don't insure checked-in camera equipment for loss or damage.

[DDCSD]

I love the search feature here at POTN! :twothumbsup: :)

I'm flying home to Hawaii, from Vegas, to shoot a wedding in November.
To say that I'm a little freaked out about some of my gear ending up in the belly of the plane,
would be putting it a little mildly .. ;)

What are the size/weight limits .. for the over-head storage thing-a-ma-jiggers?
Do different airlines have different regulations? How do you guys travel with all your gear?

I have 3 - 20D's gripped, 4 lenses .. 2 Metz 60CT-4 flashes, like 8 batteries ..
(I read the thingy on the batteries earlier)
My Bogen tripod, which I can check in no problem. Done it a ton of times.

I only ask because this will be my first major jaunt since 9/11 ..
Most everything I have is coming with me .. so I may be a bit heavy .. but over-limit?

The heaviest lens I have is the 80-400 Tokina .. other then that, the two Metz flashes
are prolly quite bulky, not to mention the Metz battery packs for both.

Am I able to take 2 bags on? I did when I left Hawaii, but, that was before 9/11.

Thanks for this thread Fish ..
I know I coulda started one, but felt this was an appropiate place to ask.

Thanks in advance folks! :)
Tomi

Check with your airline. Many airlines have similar restrictions, but you need to check with the airline you will be flying on to know for sure.

[Tatexi]

a separate bag as carry-on, 21kg in all [...] At 47kg myself, I figure it's not hurting anyone to load a bit more into the carry-on.

The guy taking that bag on his forehead might disagree when the plane hits a rough weather. As FlyingPhotog already pointed out earlier, there are very real safety reasons why you are allowed to bring only a limited amount of stuff to the cabin. People moving stuff in and out of the overhead compartments don't generally pay much attention if the door closes properly or not and there are all those belts and straps hanging from bags that can prevent them from locking too.

The amount of stuff people take to the cabin can be hilarious sometimes. Last year at JFK I saw a lady dragging a wheeled bag which looked to be at the very max of the carry-on limits in addition to another bag about half the size of that plus a large purse to the plane. After seeing the light of traveling only with carry-on a couple of years ago, I'm going to scream a bloody murder if I'm forced to gate check-in my (mind you, much smaller) bag because of jerks like that filled all the overhead compartments already.

[fishfoto]

I'm flying home to Hawaii, from Vegas, to shoot a wedding in November.
To say that I'm a little freaked out about some of my gear ending up in the belly of the plane, would be putting it a little mildly .. ;)


Before I answer this I have one question that may change my answer...what airline are you flying? I have a different answer for Hawaiian Airlines than I do for any other airline, and then it comes down to your ability to pack correctly to make it work.


...and relax, everything will go smoothly ;)

[fishfoto]

Very interesting topic. Last February my wife and I flew from St. Louis, MO Ft. Meyers, Fl on American Airlines. Each ticket (round trip) was $110.00 We decided to take our dog. The pups ticket are carry on was $100.00 each way and it counted a my carry on bag.

Go Figure

You didn't hear my national talk radio interview on travelling with dogs?
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2008/12/13/flying-with-dogs-fish-discusses-the-rules-of-flying-airlines-with-dogs-on-the-radio/

OK, I can't imagine any photogs did...so I'm not offended.

[Tomi Hawk]

Before I answer this I have one question that may change my answer...what airline are you flying? I have a different answer for Hawaiian Airlines than I do for any other airline, and then it comes down to your ability to pack correctly to make it work.


...and relax, everything will go smoothly ;)
LOL! I was looking at Hawaiian Air .. but errr, not a good one uh? :)
I then thought about Continental .. but remembered what a PIA they were flying out here ..
Then of course there's United .. hmm

So what's the scoop? lol .. I'm sure all will go well, and yes, I'm a damn good packer ..
I just can't seem to get all the gear from two bags, into one ..
Maybe a bigger bag? But then again, I'm back to my original question .. size and weight.

On a brighter note .. one of my friends has never been to Hawaii. He wants to tag along.
I told um if he comes, he'll have to carry on one of my camera bags ..

That would work .. :)

Thanks for chiming in on this

[FlyingPhotog]

You didn't hear my national talk radio interview on travelling with dogs?
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2008/12/13/flying-with-dogs-fish-discusses-the-rules-of-flying-airlines-with-dogs-on-the-radio/

OK, I can't imagine any photogs did...so I'm not offended.

Captive Audience:

[fishfoto]

Captive Audience:


Is it poor etiquette to use the term "shut up" online? Is there some online short hand for 'shut up'? It can't be "SU" because when I see "SU" I think of Aeroflot (I guess if I am thinking of Aeroflot I can say " Zaknis!" right?)

:lol::p:lol:

[fishfoto]

LOL! I was looking at Hawaiian Air .. but errr, not a good one uh? :)

Hawaiian Airlines is a good airline, however they weigh all cabin baggage at check-in now, with very strict weight limitations. To avoid Hawaiian Airline's cabin baggage weight check you need to fly with one carry-on and one personal bag , with NO checked baggage.

How does this work? You'll need to do online-check in (OLCI) and completely skip the counter and head straight for security and the gate. While Hawaiian Airlines allows for a full 45-linear inch carry on bag, it must weight less than 25lbs (an EMPTY Think Tank Airport International weighs approx 10lbs), so look for a bag slightly smaller than an a full-size carry on (such as the smaller Airport International). and use this bag in conjunction with a deceptively small back-pack as your personal item (such as the North Face Surge or 5.11 Tactical Rush 24) .

By packing this way you'll stay under the radar of the gate agents doing last moment visual sweeps of baggage to check for weight. At the counter they weigh all cabin baggage, at the gate they only weigh those that look bulging and overweight. This is why you MUST avoid ever approaching the check-in counter in the pre-security (land side) area of the airport.

Clothing is not weighed, so also consider a vest and loading it with 2 bodies and a few lenses if you need to, then just reload the bag on the plane.

For all other US carriers, there is not a strict baggage weight system in place for flights departing Hawaii or the mainland.

[FlyingPhotog]

Is it poor etiquette to use the term "shut up" online? Is there some online short hand for 'shut up'? It can't be "SU" because when I see "SU" I think of Aeroflot (I guess if I am thinking of Aeroflot I can say " Zaknis!" right?)

:lol::p:lol:

All in good fun sir .. All in good fun!

IMO, your info is one of the best resources on POTN.

[fishfoto]

IMO, your info is one of the best resources on POTN.

That's only because you have less of a life that I do (17,000+ posts...do you see the light of day?) :lol:


I'd post here more, but I have 3 kids who keep yanking the router of the wall...and in between plugging the router back in I need to write an average of 2 full articles a day, finish writing my book (due to the publisher in June...holy crap!) ...and you know plus my day job.


Remind me to pick up half-a-dozen interns in the fall.

[FlyingPhotog]

That's only because you have less of a life that I do (17,000+ posts...do you see the light of day?) :lol:


I'd post here more, but I have 3 kids who keep yanking the router of the wall...and in between plugging the router back in I need to write an average of 2 full articles a day, finish writing my book (due to the publisher in June...holy crap!) ...and you know plus my day job.


Remind me to pick up half-a-dozen interns in the fall.

I'd be willing to bet that 60% of my posting activity occurs while I'm sitting in a TV truck somewhere.

Let's face it, NASCAR practice sessions and qualifying sessions aren't exactly a hotbed of activity so that gives me time to loiter on POTN.

And, I haven't even taken into consideration how much time I spend here while holed up in a hotel room four (or more) nights a week! :(

Only eight more weeks to go. Then I get my temporary pardon for 2009! :lol:

[20DNewbie]

Thanks for the Hawaiian Airlines tip Fish, one of the guys I work with used to live in Maui and it sounds great. I may have to think about it given the super cheap fares these days.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3544237064_36660b65fd_o.jpg

[Tomi Hawk]

Remind me to pick up half-a-dozen interns in the fall.
LOL .. The're good at pullin routers outta the wallz too .. ;)

Hey thanks again Fish .. I actually believe I'll be under the 25lb limit ..
I'll be checking the Bogen, but taking the manfroto head off.

I'll also have my golf bag with me .. so that blows the "no check-in baggage" thingy.
I'll have my golf shoes in the golf bag, and wearing the shoes on the plane that I'm shooting in.
But I cant get away with not bringing some clothes lol! Unless of course I stash my camera bags. :rolleyes:
But then everything will be a lil wrinkly .. :p

Of course I'll have to almost bring another empty bag, you know, for all those things
that friends want you to bring back to them .. oiii .. :o

Nice to know that the size is around 45 linear inches ..
I could prolly get away with all of it and my clothes in a bag that size .. lol!

Sounds like it ain't gonna be all that bad .. only question is ..
Does Hawaiian Air have any of them fancy 767 airoplanes? I ain't flown in one of them yet! :lol:

[fishfoto]

Thanks for the Hawaiian Airlines tip Fish, one of the guys I work with used to live in Maui and it sounds great. I may have to think about it given the super cheap fares these days.


I see CheapOair has the lowest fare...oddly enough you should check out CheapOair's Blog this coming Thursday, http://cheapoair.wordpress.com, I am writing their guest blog entry discussing traveller personal security.

...if you're already browsing blogs on Thursday check out www.photographyBLOG.com, where I'll be writing about stripping out your photo gear to save space and weight on the road, while maintaining full shooting flexibility.

Happy Flying!

[fishfoto]

Does Hawaiian Air have any of them fancy 767 airoplanes? I ain't flown in one of them yet! :lol:

Hawaiian Airlines ONLY flies the Boeing 767-300ER (763) on routes over the water. Inter-Island traffic is on the Boeing 717 (similar to the MD-80).

They have two versions of the 763, either way skip seats between row 11 and 19, go a bit further back in the plane for more comfort on their aircraft.

[20DNewbie]

I see CheapOair has the lowest fare...oddly enough you should check out CheapOair's Blog this coming Thursday, http://cheapoair.wordpress.com, I am writing their guest blog entry discussing traveller personal security.

...if you're already browsing blogs on Thursday check out www.photographyBLOG.com (http://www.photographyBLOG.com), where I'll be writing about stripping out your photo gear to save space and weight on the road, while maintaining full shooting flexibility.

Happy Flying!

Thanks, will do.http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2803/thumbup6ly.gif