Traveling internationally with your camera gear...

Just got back from a trip to Europe. My carry on (Tenba Roadie Air Case Roller 21) was slightly overweight (by 2 kilograms). Initially, I was told to "just move some things out of the bag", but once the guy who was checking me in saw the content, he was like "8.2 kilograms, looks good, have a nice flight, sir ". TSA just x-ray'ed my bag and didn't have me open it. Coming back from Europe was even easier; the bag was just x-ray'ed and not weighted. Got lucky. It's ridicules how empty my bag was at the 8kg limit.

copmagnet82 wrote in post #18483558
Just got back from a trip to Europe. My carry on (Tenba Roadie Air Case Roller 21) was slightly overweight (by 2 kilograms). Initially, I was told to "just move some things out of the bag", but once the guy who was checking me in saw the content, he was like "8.2 kilograms, looks good, have a nice flight, sir ". TSA just x-ray'ed my bag and didn't have me open it. Coming back from Europe was even easier; the bag was just x-ray'ed and not weighted. Got lucky. It's ridicules how empty my bag was at the 8kg limit.

Which airline? Different airlines enforce the weight rules differently.

Capn Jack wrote in post #18483706
Which airline? Different airlines enforce the weight rules differently.

There is a good (and recent) summary by airline at https://www.tripsavvy.​com …ize-weight-limits-1861874. Note near the bottom, comment #4 that reads

I have often found this to be the case if you wear a backpack. Even though the straps etc. are obvious I have never been asked to remove it and have it weighed.

John from PA wrote in post #18483772
There is a good (and recent) summaryby airline at https://www.tripsavvy.​com …ize-weight-limits-1861874.

Thank you for that, but that link is a snapshot in time and policies change. It is nice to see what is being enforced, and how, form a more recent experience.

Capn Jack wrote in post #18483776
Thank you for that, but that link is a snapshot in time and policies change. It is nice to see what is being enforced, and how, form a more recent experience.

True, but it is from June 2017, hence why I said "recent". This thread by the way was started in early June 2017.

Another link is at https://travel-made-simple.com/carry-on-size-chart/. Scroll down for the size/weight chart which is a bit more useful in that conversions from "English" to metric units are accommodated and if you click on the airline you will immediately get the most correct airline specific information.

John from PA wrote in post #18483811
True, but it is from June 2017, hence why I said "recent". This thread by the way was started in early June 2017.

Another link is at https://travel-made-simple.com/carry-on-size-chart/. Scroll down for the size/weight chart which is a bit more useful in that conversions from "English" to metric units are accommodated and if you click on the airline you will immediately get the most correct airline specific information.

I'm not quite sure of the point you are making. The links you cite are certainly useful, though June is several months ago.

The point I'm trying to make is that we have an actual user experience that is more recent. Some airlines enforce their rules more than others. For example, United Airlines has dimensions listed for carry-on, but in practice, it seems that "if it fits, it ships" to steal a phrase from the US Postal service. I've been flying UAL a lot this year, and I'm amazed at what some people consider "carry-on". On Lufthansa, it seemed that a back pack, even if larger than the permitted sizes, can go on carry-on, 2 years ago- I don't know if they became more strict now. While I don't recommend taking large items (there is limited space and it is impolite to others that do follow the rules), it is nice to know which airlines are strict and who allows a bit of flexibility as long as one isn't a total fool about it.

Capn Jack wrote in post #18483706
Which airline? Different airlines enforce the weight rules differently.

This time it was LOT, no issues both ways. Prior to that I flew with Lufthansa and I had some issues going to Europe, and no issues coming back. I honestly think it has a lot to do with the clerk that's checking you in, not the airline so much.

What can't be wrong is to carry some of those compact luggage scales with you when you fly. They not only make it easy to comply with the various airline luggage weight requirements. They also enable you to develop a strategy before checking in: if you are overweight you can decide beforehand what you will have to pack elsewhere (pockets, etc...) in case airline staff gets fussy.

I actually have all the weights for my equipment written down and before flying I decide ahead of time what I will be putting in my pockets, if need be.

Nick5 wrote in post #18442763
Flew to Amsterdam last Saturday and returned Thursday afternoon. No difference at all compared to many years of flying.
Never asked to open and all went through rolling scanners just fine.
Bag consisted of two gripped bodies, four lenses and two Speedlites. Extra batteries for cameras and AA NiMH.

And two months before in June flying to Lisbon and returning from Barcelona.
All gear in ThinkTank Streetwalker HD stored above seat and Thinktank Retrospective 40 as personal item. Retrospective is my walk around bag and Streetwalker Backpack stays in hotel.

Capn Jack wrote in post #18483872
I'm not quite sure of the point you are making. The links you cite are certainly useful, though June is several months ago.

You may have checked only the one link. I also supplied https://travel-made-simple.com/carry-on-size-chart/ and if you go there and scroll down below the advertising, you can click on a specific airline. Using your example of United, you get a new page that directly takes you to current United policy, read that as now, not two months ago, not two days ago, but now. The image below is a sample of the result.

Now, it may very well be that you will get flagged if you have smaller than stipulated, and you have a valid arguing point although I suggest you ask to speak to a supervisor. But should you have something larger, then you don't have much of an arguing point except to plead the case nicely.

John from PA wrote in post #18485014
You may have checked only the one link. I also supplied https://travel-made-simple.com/carry-on-size-chart/ and if you go there and scroll down below the advertising, you can click on a specific airline. Using your example of United, you get a new page that directly takes you to current United policy, read that as now, not two months ago, not two days ago, but now. The image below is a sample of the result.

Now, it may very well be that you will get flagged if you have smaller than stipulated, and you have a valid arguing point although I suggest you ask to speak to a supervisor. But should you have something larger, then you don't have much of an arguing point except to plead the case nicely.

Hosted photo: posted by John from PA in
./showthread.php?p=184​85014&i=i103789069
forum: Camera Bags, Backpacks & Cases

Ok, you win. There's no use in some one reporting their actual experiences, and no useful information for others.

Capn Jack wrote in post #18485022
Ok, you win. There's no use in some one reporting their actual experiences, and no useful information for others.

My point is that someone reporting actual experience is the same as anecdotal evidence and only represents a single point in time. If for example I'm told I have an oversize carry on and my reply is it was OK a week ago my argument carries little if any weight, and may even make the situation worse. If however I can pull out a piece of paper from Lufthansa that says I'm allowed 8 kilos, and my bag weighs 7.5 kilos, then I have a valid point of continued discussion.