Flying to Spain in September... Anyone w/ experience? Vueling?

[jaysen]

A little background and my first post, so please be gentle :) A few months ago I started acquiring this 'itch' for photography. After stumbling on a killer deal on a Brand New XSi Kit ($350) I decided to SCRATCH ! Since then, I've purchased some decent equipment, mostly based on recommendation, and can see a slight improvement in my shooting - nothing nearly as good as I've seen. I'm sure with time and more practice, I'll get the courage to post some shots for critiquing. I haven't decided on a specific area to shoot but right now everything interest me. If I had to chose; landscape and buildings really intrigue me.

Moving forward; My girlfriend and I will be taking a trip to Spain the first week of September and I had high expectations of taking my gear with me however after much reading on different forums and travel books I'm a little worried for a few reasons.

We'll be traveling from LAX to BCN on Delta - Once we arrive in Barcelona we'll be flying on Vueling to Madrid for 5 days then back to Barcelona for 4 day (without going into a long explanation, it was cheaper this way for us). I've read the carry-on requirements for Vueling and I'm a little nervous, here comes my first questions for anyone with experience and Vueling.

Vueling's carry-on policy states 1 carry-on bag per person. It makes no mention of "personal items". I don't plan on checking any baggage so I'm curious if they'd make a big stink about my camera gear? - Worse case scenario I can check my carry-on bag and take my camera gear with me (small canon backpack) but I'd like to avoid this due to the horror stories I've read with them losing luggage.

My next question, I've read a lot about Thives, Pickpockets, Purse Snatchers, etc... Taking the necessary precautions, holding on tight, keeping in sight at all times, locks on compartments, how safe is it to walk around with a gear backpack ? I'm not worried about looking like a tourist but more worried about the money I've invested.

If this makes a difference to thieves; I'm 26, 6'00, 220lbs, and built solid. Not sure if they prey on the old and frail ?

Third and final question; Anyone ever travel with a tripod ? I've got 055XPROB sticks and a 488RC2 head - I wanted to take it with me for some landscape shots but seeing as I'm worried about the carry-on policy and do not want to check-in, I'm highly considering leaving them home. :(

Thanks in advance for your input...

[jaysen]

anyone ?

[Woolburr]

Take your gear and take some pictures. There are thieves everywhere you go...I would be far more afraid of having my camera gear out in LA than anywhere I ever went in Spain.

[heladepela]

Madrid is perfectly safe during the day and I have never felt threatened whilst walking around in the evening/night (I've been on 4 business trips in the last year and a half). The underground/metro/tube is a great way to get around too.

Barcelona is different story altogether, especially around the train station is notorious for pick-pockets. If you plan on walking around with your backpack strapped on you should be fine, but always make sure your camera is around your neck. They may avoid you as a target (due to your size), but don't forget to keep an eye on your girlfriend. Handbags are a more attractive target due to credit cards/passports and they will use a knife to cut it off your shoulder (cut the strap, not your shoulder) and they move fast. Close friend had her handbag cut from her in the evening in the old town, the problem was her and a girlfriend were strolling/chatting behind their husbands who realised too late what happened (wine probably didn't help either). They were basically vulnerable because they weren't paying attention and the men were ahead....

With regards to travelling with Vueling I have no experience whatsoever, not even heard of them before. I'm guessing they're pretty new in the game, but similar to carriers like Easyjet. I travel with a tripod attached to the back of my Tamrac Expedition 5 with Easyjet quite a lot, I take the centre column and head out and stick that in my suitcase for down the hold. They can get pretty antsy about the 1 bag rule and will insist that women put their handbags inside their carry-on bags, etc. I tend the unclip my tripod from the back of the Tamrac and sling it round my should (an old Manfrotto 190NC). Never had either rejected as carry-on. Since you're taking a small camera bag only as carry-on you should be fine.

Also get a good travel insurance, don't get cut to pieces over a camera, be safe ! Don't get too paranoid about Barcelona, millions of people go there every year, but you only hear from those who were pick-pocketed and that could be a reasonably small but vocal percentage :)

[jaysen]

Heladepela -
Thanks for the info. I've gotten good tips from Rick Steves travel guide regarding how to carry money/passports etc.. I'm definitely making the gf leave her purse/handbag at home - almost forgot about her :)

[gbutler]

My wife and I returned This month from a two week tour through Spain. We traveled on Delta that seemed to be quite liberal about carry-on. On our return trip, I carried an 8' by 10' silk carpet (folded and rolled into a package about 2' long and more than 18" in diameter) as carry-on while my wife carried my camera bag and her large purse. We did not travel on Vueling.

We did receive constant warnings about pickpockets. We walked freely at various times, including late at night, and encountered no problems. I felt comfortable walking alone to take photos (40D and zoom). I stayed aware of my surroundings, but never felt threatened, and we heard of no problems during our stay. I've felt less comfortable in San Francisco and Los Angeles, but would not avoid them. Have a wonderful trip and take great photos.

[jaysen]

Gbutler,

Where did you visit ? I'm excited, anything you recommend must see/dont waste your time ?

[GPR1]

I have traveled in the following places with thousands of dollars of camera gear: Portugal, Morocco, Peru, Mexico, US, Canada, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, New Zealand and Thailand. I've stayed in cheap guest houses and expensive resorts. I've been in crowded tourist areas and dark back alleys, in big cities and tiny villages. I've never had so much as a lens cap stolen. I'm a slightly round, 5'9'' middle age man.

Other people have, of course, lost gear. Keep a good eye on it and take the reasonable precautions, but don't be paranoid. I think you're more likely to lose wallets or passports by good pickpockets - in fact my dad lost his passport to a clever one in Lisbon (the local US consulate replaced it within hours the next morning).

My theory is this: I bought the gear to use it. I treasure pictures I have from all those places.

If you have to throw anything into checked baggage, make it everything but your camera gear (though I would put tripods, chargers, etc. in there). It's easier and cheaper to buy a new pair of underwear and a clean shirt then to replace a lens. I tend after much travel to now carry-on two items whenver allowed, and check nothing: my camera bag, and a second bag for clothes and anything else. I don't take much. Every trip I find things that never left the bag, and next time I take even less!

BTW: ditch the backpack gear bag and get a messenger style. It's too hard to work from a backpack, and too easy for someone to get in without you noticing. I've owned a couple and sold them both. Just my two cents.

[jaysen]

GPR1-

Thanks for the info, I guess after reading everyone else' replies I'm starting to realize - I'm probably too paranoid ! Thanks again everyone for the reassurance, now i'm still seeking anyone with experience on Vueling :)