Photo gear on plane?

Hey guys, well I need a quick response as I am about to go to bed so I can get up to catch my 7:00am flight to Florida for the next 10 days of spring break But that is where I have come across my question... What is the deal with photography equipment on the plane? I would like it to stay with me as I don't want it being tossed around like a sac of potatoes by the baggage handlers. If anyone has been through this, can you let me know the rules upon this? Thanks alot guys!

Cole_S

the last time i went on vacation (on a plane) I just had my Sony H5 superzoom P&S with a couple lens filters. I had it in a small camera bag and took it with me, put it in the overhead compartment. With DSLRs, I don't know if there are any special rules. You may want to get insurance for your gear (which is a good idea regardless).

I always carry my DSLR, 3 lens, flash and tripod when traveling. No problems so far.

I would be able to get through security no problem? I only got camera, 17-55mm, 55-250mm, and a small bag of like cards, readers, etc., and a tripod (going in my suitcase). It's all in one bag which is smaller then my tripod completely folded down. Will I get through with no problems?

No problem...stop worrying. I take it you don't travel much?

I just lugged a 300 2.8, (3) 1D series bodies, a 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, flashes, lumedyne power pack and a macbook pro with me to New York to shoot stills for a tv show. I fit everything in a Thinktank Airport Security case. I was even able to put my clothes in it as I was only going to be there for a day. I had a little bit of problems stowing it in the overhead compartment on the bug smasher type aircraft we flew from Philly to La Guardia on. Other than that it was no problemo.

argyle wrote in post #7752977
No problem...stop worrying. I take it you don't travel much?

Oh I do, I just haven't taken my gear much. Haven't had it all that long

as long as the size of your bag and everything are not larger than the carryon luggage specs you will be fine.

Should be no problem. My DSLR + lenses + etc. are in a standard carry-on luggage that is stored in the overhead compartment. There are no known FAA/airline restrictions.

One caveat with regard to a tripod...don't try to take it on board if it has spiked feet...security may frown on that one. Otherwise, the tripod is not a problem in the cabin.

Your gear can come on with you, no problem, as long as you pack it in a carry on bag under 45-linear inches (pretty much any legal carry on rolling bag, or back pack is this size or smaller).

For a lot of info on traveling, and the nuts and bolts of traveling as a photog, visit Flying With Fish, www.flyingwithfish.com

...I've flown over 1,000,000 miles as a photog since 2005 alone, so my insight on this topic is fairly extensive.

Happy Flying!

If I was taking my gear with me on a holiday, I wouldn't do anything BUT keep it with me on the plane. If it meant putting some gear in a second bag to give to someone else for the flight, so be it. Even gear in a hard case (or the trunks that they sell) isn't safe from being thrown around at airports.

I've been flying in and out of SE Asia from Australia since '04.. I take my camera gear on as cabin luggage,,never had any problems as long as your camera bag meets carry on regulations..

I too have never had any problems bringing my equipment onboard. Check with your airlines as to what their specific restrictions (if any) are.

Last time I flew NorthWest, I had my Soft camera backpack (filled with various accessories - modifiers, cleaning, cf cards, batteries, etc and my laptop) and a Pelican 1510 with my camera and lenses. No problem what-so-ever...

I just flew over the weekend with a camera bag with a body and three lenses and assorted chargers & wires. They don't even ask you to open the bag or take them out. Makes me wonder why they ask you to take a lap top out.