Air Canada Strike, you can't break ME!!

I"m heading off on Wednesday night for my annual photo safari trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada. I just heard that Air Canada baggage handlers are likely going on strike at midnight tomorrow night and while planes are still flying, they are recommending carry on luggage only. Great. My carry on luggage is my rolling camera suitcase and it is always full, no room for clothes. I looked into renting gear when I get there, and there are no rentals available east of Montreal. Ok, so I decided to do what any REAL photographer would do, and I'm not bringing any clothes except what I have on my back and I'll buy clothes there and leave them for my sister. That'll show 'em. GRRRRRRR.

My mother told me, "Suzie, you don't have to bring any camera gear, your sister in law has a nice camera you can borrow..." it is a 3 mega pixel kodak easy share circa 2001. Thanks. I think I'll just buy a new wardrobe. bwa ha ha. Good times in the maritimes. Can't wait.

Why not FedEx clothes to your sister's place ahead of your arrival?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, cuz I'm stupid and never even thought of that??? Thank you, Flying Photographer, for pointing out that relatively simple solution. I'm just a pleasant idiot, with a flair for the melodramatic, and it never occurred to me for a second. "Hello, FED EX, how are you and your union getting along this week? I'd like to send a package...."

suecassidy wrote in post #12586509
I"m heading off on Wednesday night for my annual photo safari trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada. I just heard that Air Canada baggage handlers are likely going on strike at midnight tomorrow night and while planes are still flying, they are recommending carry on luggage only. Great. My carry on luggage is my rolling camera suitcase and it is always full, no room for clothes. I looked into renting gear when I get there, and there are no rentals available east of Montreal. Ok, so I decided to do what any REAL photographer would do, and I'm not bringing any clothes except what I have on my back and I'll buy clothes there and leave them for my sister. That'll show 'em. GRRRRRRR.

My mother told me, "Suzie, you don't have to bring any camera gear, your sister in law has a nice camera you can borrow..." it is a 3 mega pixel kodak easy share circa 2001. Thanks. I think I'll just buy a new wardrobe. bwa ha ha. Good times in the maritimes. Can't wait.

That is a great area. I have been through there 3 times now. How do you get away with that rolling bag? I purchased the airport international from think tank and keep getting hassled about overhead weight restrictions. Last few trips I left it at home and went back to two backpacks.

Anyway I hope you have a great time.

Sue...don't beat yourself up so much, sometimes the obvious just escapes us.

digital paradise wrote in post #12586937
That is a great area. I have been through there 3 times now. How do you get away with that rolling bag? I purchased the airport international from think tank and keep getting hassled about overhead weight restrictions. Last few trips I left it at home and went back to two backpacks.

Anyway I hope you have a great time.

I've been back and forth once or twice a year for the past 21 years and while they always tear it apart, they never question the weight or size. it is the tamrac rolling bag, just hits the proper measurements, and I take one body (and it is heavy), one flash, wolverine drive, 50 l, and 70-200l. I"m going to be Suzie Crankypants this year though, given that Air Canada has gotten worse over the years, and they always hassle me at immigration coming back in because of a mistake the INS made on my green card. I go to secondary every single time, get photographed and finger printed. I do a lot of international travel to various countries, so you'd think they'd see that on the computer screen but no, they all want to have their own go round with me. Grrr. I should just become an american citizen and stop **** about it but...

Thanks for the well wishes. I crack a bottle o' labatt's in your honor. maybe a sip or seven of that island moonshine.

chauncey wrote in post #12587083
Sue...don't beat yourself up so much, sometimes the obvious just escapes us.

Is that one of those backhanded comments, like "Gee, for a fat girl you don't sweat much." bwa ha ha. I'm not fat, but the stupid has been proven time and time again. Thanks, Chauncey, I'm feeling very smart right now and when my mother sends the package back to Fed Ex because "she didn't order anything"... I'll feel really clever. One year, Air Canada lost my luggage and when they found it a week into my two week trip, they sent it in a cab to the little french fishing village where my mom lived. They went to the first door they saw and the people didn't speak english, the cabby didn't speak french, and so he just left it there. After a few phone calls to air canada, we ended up going door to door and finally found my luggage 1/4 mile from my mother's house at some random stranger's house. shoot me now, right? ; )

There is, in fact, at least one travel writer who never takes his luggage on board and never checks it. He always Fed Exes it or something similar. Kinda weird, but I guess it works.

BobOh wrote in post #12587479
There is, in fact, at least one travel writer who never takes his luggage on board and never checks it. He always Fed Exes it or something similar. Kinda weird, but I guess it works.

And he sends his publisher the bill, right? That would be a sweet deal!

Are you allowed one carryon and a personal bag? Most airlines allow this, your personal bag can be a large purse! shove some clothes in that too... at least some socks and underwear. Or you could wear something with large pockets like a vest and cargo pants to carry your stuff.

Or double up?

I would just wear 7 days worth of clothes onto the plane.

digital paradise wrote in post #12586937
That is a great area. I have been through there 3 times now. How do you get away with that rolling bag? I purchased the airport international from think tank and keep getting hassled about overhead weight restrictions. Last few trips I left it at home and went back to two backpacks.

Just because Think Tank says it fits in airliners it doesn't mean that it will fit every aircraft used on every route. The aircraft used on the routes in question here are smaller jets and turbo props in many cases. They do have a pretty good sky check (hand your bag over at aircraft door) and I have never had anything damaged using this, in fact I have never had anything damaged even as baggage.

suecassidy wrote in post #12587135
I've been back and forth once or twice a year for the past 21 years and while they always tear it apart, they never question the weight or size. it is the tamrac rolling bag, just hits the proper measurements, and I take one body (and it is heavy), one flash, wolverine drive, 50 l, and 70-200l. I"m going to be Suzie Crankypants this year though, given that Air Canada has gotten worse over the years, and they always hassle me at immigration coming back in because of a mistake the INS made on my green card. I go to secondary every single time, get photographed and finger printed. I do a lot of international travel to various countries, so you'd think they'd see that on the computer screen but no, they all want to have their own go round with me. Grrr. I should just become an american citizen and stop **** about it but...

I hate to break it to you Sue but Air Canada has absolutely nothing to do with immigration. If you get sent to secondary that is a government issue and nothing to do with the airline at all.

I have always sent gear ahead of me, sometimes using a courier service, sometimes using Air Canada's cargo service. I've always found it works well. I take my bodies and shorter lenses on board with me and my longer stuff, tripods, etc. get packed and sent off.

The scuttlebutt on the strike is that it won't last long as it appears that the government will legislate them back to work if Air Canada management is unable to maintain a reasonably full schedule. The workers, imo, are fighting for things that simply aren't realistic in today's environment but I guess if you are going to strike, the summer is the best time for them to do so. Let's hope it doesn't happen as I was hoping to hit Newfoundland this summer.

ssim wrote in post #12587605
I have always sent gear ahead of me, sometimes using a courier service, sometimes using Air Canada's cargo service. I've always found it works well. I take my bodies and shorter lenses on board with me and my longer stuff, tripods, etc. get packed and sent off.

I have never thought of Air Canada or any airline cargo method. Since you use it I presume it is safe from (and I hope I don't offend anyone) baggage handlers? How does that work? As I start taking longer trips I like to have most of my gear with me. Mind some of those are charters so that does not work. When you ship ahead by cargo do you pick it up at AC or do they deliver it? How far in advance?

digital paradise wrote in post #12587648
I have never thought of Air Canada or any airline cargo method. Since you use it I presume it is safe from (and I hope I don't offend anyone) baggage handlers? How does that work? As I start taking longer trips I like to have most of my gear with me. Mind some of those are charters so that does not work. When you ship ahead by cargo do you pick it up at AC or do they deliver it? How far in advance?

I usually just send it and have it held for pickup at their cargo facility at the airport in question. They have several different levels of rates from overnight to general cargo. I just normally send it general. I have sent my gear probably close to a hundred times and not once have I had a problem. Sure the case gets some wear and tear but if you want your suitcase to look like you just walked out of the store with it, travel in your car. You can't take several hundred pieces of luggage or cargo and shove them up against each other without some wear. It gives it character. Most airlines (some of the low cost operators don't) have cargo services and it is as simple as checking their website.

If I am traveling to the far east coast of Canada I will normally send it about 4 days ahead of time. I carry my own insurance on it independent of the airline so I declare it as personal effects so as to not alert anyone that it is filled with expensive items.

ssim wrote in post #12587605
I hate to break it to you Sue but Air Canada has absolutely nothing to do with immigration. If you get sent to secondary that is a government issue and nothing to do with the airline at all.

Well, I'm only partially stupid, so I DO know that Air Canada has nothing to do with immigration, I was merely melding my immigration issue into the same rant as the travel woes involving Air Canada and their apparently long suffering baggage handlers.
: )