Airline ever asked you to check Camera Bag?

Flown many times local and OS and have never been asked. My Lowpro 400AW Flipside has seen many flights. I have since got a larger 450AW pro runner and would not want to even try to check it, it is too big and more importantly looks too big. So to get around it I have purchased a Thinktank Airport Navigator specifically for travel, mainly so I can also put my laptop in it (it does not go in the Flipside). It does not even look like a camera bag, it just looks like a smallish carry on with wheels and a pull out handle. Then when we want to carry it there is a clip on shoulder strap as well. I have yet to fly with it though, but don't anticipate any problems. If I do have any issues I'll just switch back to the 400 Flipside.

Lots of great advice given here. As for me, I travel regularly and have not had a problem yet. However, I always take the following steps, which greatly reduce the odds of having to check a camera bag:

1. First and foremost, make sure the size meets the carry-on requirements. (They rarely check the weight.)

2. I always use a non-descript color such as black. It draws less attention. (I own a black Pelican 1514 and a black Think Tank International.)

3. I always approach the gate agent with the carry-on bag on the opposite side from where the gate agent is standing. For example, if the gate agent will be on my left-hand side when I approach him/her, then my roller is pulled by my right hand. To some degree, your body blocks their view of the carry-on bag and will make it less likely for them to "investigate" what type of bag you're carrying on board. Never ever give the impression that it's heavy.

4. As I approach the gate agent, I always start out with a hello, a courteous smile, and ask them how they are doing today. By engaging them with friendly conversation, it's less likely they will say something to you. It also chews up most of the normal contact time they have with you, and they will want to move on to the next person in line. And lastly, why not use this approach anyway and brighten someone's day?

5. I haven't had to do this yet, but if a gate agent tags your carry-on and you know it will still fit, then I will take the tag off while walking down the jet-way to board the aircraft.

6. It's been mentioned already, but I never book a seat at the front of the aircraft as those folks may be out of luck if the overhead bins get too full.

Follow these guidelines and you'll probably eliminate 98% of the situations that would cause you to check your carry-on bag.

Hope this helps,
Bryan

Size is what matters. As long as the dimensions match or you make sure it can fit or looks to fit then you're fine. Heck, regulations the way they are I got my camera bag, laptop bag, and carry on before. The camera bag fit into the carry on but I took it out for easy access once on. Stewardess just glared at me.

L.J.G. wrote in post #15457517
Flown many times local and OS and have never been asked. My Lowpro 400AW Flipside has seen many flights. I have since got a larger 450AW pro runner and would not want to even try to check it, it is too big and more importantly looks too big. So to get around it I have purchased a Thinktank Airport Navigator specifically for travel, mainly so I can also put my laptop in it (it does not go in the Flipside). It does not even look like a camera bag, it just looks like a smallish carry on with wheels and a pull out handle. Then when we want to carry it there is a clip on shoulder strap as well. I have yet to fly with it though, but don't anticipate any problems. If I do have any issues I'll just switch back to the 400 Flipside.

Dear Lloyd,

The Think Tank Airport NAVIGATOR seems like a great bag. (I seriously considered it too).

Only caveat & just a casual observation(not a criticism) maybe that with an OD: [W16” x H 15.5” x D10”; Linear 41.5” & Wt: 8.1-9.2lbs] it perhaps appears to exceed by a bit the Height & Depth carry-on OD dimensions of some of your continent’s airlines.
For example:
http://www.qantas.com.​au …arry-on-baggage/global/en Height (max 36cm/14”) and Depth (23cm/9”) Max Wt: 7 kg(15.4lbs)
http://www.virginaustr​alia.com …baggage/carry-on-baggage/ Height (max 34cm/13.4) and Depth (23cm/9”) Max Wt: 7 kg(15.4lbs)

Carry-on risk management… is obviously an individual preference/decision.
[I always try to stay within the airline guidelines (both dimensions & weight), then “the best surprise is no surprise”].
Like WILT says with his nifty link to the main airlines’ baggage guidelines.
To use your POTN sig motto... "never make the same mistake twice..." may apply to airline carry-on too, as experience/or someone else's is often the most effective teacher.

Again, it seems like a really great bag, hope you enjoy it.

With a Thinktank Airport International and various camea backpacks - I've never been denied as carry-on though have had my roller checked by cabin crew before boarding. I'm always prepared to transfer gear into my pockets if necessary to reduce the weight but to date its never even come to that. As mentioned the most important thing is to check your bag complies with the carry on guidelines for size and prohibited items.

Most recently I was stopped at the gate on an international flight from Korea where I could barely make out what they were saying... lady asked the guy "why isn't he checking this bag in?" to which he replied "camera stuff is expensive and can be damaged" and her response: "aaaaah OK" (thanks Korean Air : )

I travel with a Pelican 1514. Its considered my carry-on item.

Only once have I ever been asked to check it. I told them the case was loaded with about $20,000, and is my life and livelihood, and I would rather take a later flight. They made arrangements and let me take it aboard.

Camera bags qualify as one of the 2 carryons allowed. Make sure it meets carryon requirements and you'll never have a problem. If it doesn't fit under the seat, stick it up above!!

I use a Lowpro Fastpack 350...It fits under the seat in front of me, mostly. Haven't had an issue with it so far, and it's big enough for what I take on vacation, plus three ipads, etc. Have just run it through the xray machine, no one had me open it, but I always pack my chargers and cords on my checked luggage so my carry on isn't a mass of cords, those make them nervous when they see cylinders with dividers and a big tangle of cords. If I kept a charger in my carry on it would just be the one for the li-ion battery pack in the camera.

Go figure. I see the thread yesterday and come along a fantastic airfare deal to Las vegas. headed there next month and will make sure I use some of the suggestions here. (as well as sign up for the inland marine policy from my insurer just in case something goes wrong)

Keyan wrote in post #15460640
I use a Lowpro Fastpack 350...It fits under the seat in front of me, mostly. Haven't had an issue with it so far, and it's big enough for what I take on vacation, plus three ipads, etc. Have just run it through the xray machine, no one had me open it, but I always pack my chargers and cords on my checked luggage so my carry on isn't a mass of cords, those make them nervous when they see cylinders with dividers and a big tangle of cords. If I kept a charger in my carry on it would just be the one for the li-ion battery pack in the camera.

thats the bag i use and have been asked to weigh it

bps wrote in post #15457596
Lots of great advice given here. As for me, I travel regularly and have not had a problem yet. However, I always take the following steps, which greatly reduce the odds of having to check a camera bag:

1. First and foremost, make sure the size meets the carry-on requirements. (They rarely check the weight.)

2. I always use a non-descript color such as black. It draws less attention. (I own a black Pelican 1514 and a black Think Tank International.)

3. I always approach the gate agent with the carry-on bag on the opposite side from where the gate agent is standing. For example, if the gate agent will be on my left-hand side when I approach him/her, then my roller is pulled by my right hand. To some degree, your body blocks their view of the carry-on bag and will make it less likely for them to "investigate" what type of bag you're carrying on board. Never ever give the impression that it's heavy.

4. As I approach the gate agent, I always start out with a hello, a courteous smile, and ask them how they are doing today. By engaging them with friendly conversation, it's less likely they will say something to you. It also chews up most of the normal contact time they have with you, and they will want to move on to the next person in line. And lastly, why not use this approach anyway and brighten someone's day?

5. I haven't had to do this yet, but if a gate agent tags your carry-on and you know it will still fit, then I will take the tag off while walking down the jet-way to board the aircraft.

6. It's been mentioned already, but I never book a seat at the front of the aircraft as those folks may be out of luck if the overhead bins get too full.

Follow these guidelines and you'll probably eliminate 98% of the situations that would cause you to check your carry-on bag.

Hope this helps,
Bryan

i do most of this already and they still wish to weigh it. what i do now is take out my camera attached to my 70-200f2.8 and put it along my kneck.

That is around 3kg+ saved from my backpack

I have a Tamrac backpack and have only been asked to open it once, and that was on a fairly remote Pacific island.