How do you fly with your gear?

I'm currently using a large Tenba Messenger bag and stowing the Benro 069 tripod in the checked luggage. It carries everything including a laptop.

My next combo I've decided will be the Think Tank Shapeshifter and the belt/pouch system. The Tenba bag is nice but it gets a little large for walking around in crowds and such. I believe a backpack that collapses will be less bulky for walking around and stuff. I'm not completely sold on the belt system but am intriqued by it and am going to give it a try, hoping it will stow in the checked luggage with the tripod without taking up too much space.

Good luck on your search, just remember there are no perfect bags...

Regards,

jacobsen1 wrote in post #11638608
any reason on that -vs- a TT backpack?
also, why backpacks -vs- a peli case? I'm only asking because I'm still torn... I'm almost thinking the best solution would be the peli case, then some sort of backpack step for it if I could rig it up (that would fit inside until I needed it)?

I was just offering suggestions. I'm a LowePro fan so I tend to gravitate towards their gear. In principle, any backpack would work. As for the Pelicans, if those cases work better for you, go for it! Get something that works for your styel. After all, you're gonna be the guy schlepping it!

jacobsen1 wrote in post #11631109
same thing as the pelicans no? Similar pricing too?


whoa, cool. But yeah, that's basically the same as putting my existing camera bag (that I like) into either a pelican or another nice roller bag?


so you shoot out of that once you get there too?


US airways, and that's what it was SUPPOSED to be. We were coming home from visiting my parents in Antigua but they canceled the last leg of our flight due to a mechanical... We got a (free) hotel overnight then did a pit stop in Philly on the way home.





nice, glad some people are actually understanding I'm asking what YOU use, not what should I use...

I'm torn on checking my tripod just because it could get lost/broken/stolen on the way there then I'd have nothing to use once there? But checking on the way home isn't a bad idea. I also need to get my tripod on my insurance I suppose because I'm sure the airlines wouldn't cover it if it gets "lost"? It's not insured yet because I'm not worried about dropping/breaking/gett​ing it wet, which is my primary reason to insure the rest of my kit...


yeah, that's because I'm not asking for people to suggest bags for me to use, I'm asking what THEY use...

here's my questions from the OP:


Thanks Guys!

Yes, the bag goes everywhere, with the large wheels it rolls over anything. It has been to the beach even, many times! It has fit in the overhead bin on every plane I have been on.

Fly business class, and you get 2 carry ones. So no fear to the luggage handler bouncing your camera around.

Or the hard foam cases.

TSA will not allow you to carry a tripod as carry-on, correct?

no tripod allow in carry on, but you can get a good mid size one that can fit in a regular suitcase. Mine does fit is a 24 inch trolley case. And you do not need to worry as much about the tripod as the camera and lenses. They are a bit tougher. If you really worry, take the head off and have it in your carry on.

I never thought to try and carry on my tripod - figured they would think it a weapon. It goes in checked luggage, along with a emptied and squished flat TT Speed Demon. All my other gear goes in my TT Airport Antidote. I'm considering getting a TT retro lens changer - of so I'll take it to shoot from instead of the speed demon.

The TSA has no rules against tripods...The airline may deny it as carry on however.

If nothing else, they'll consider it as a separate item that counts against the number of bags you can carry.

I have a very small free carry case that came with my camera, it holds my camera with a lens attached, and 1 other lens on the side, so I stuff that in the bottom of a backpack, then I put my remaining lens(s) in carrying pouches and put them in the backpack as well. Accessories I put in my crumpler 6MDH and use the dividers to pack them tightly, and put that in my suitcase with a layer of clothes under and over it. Larger accessories that don't fit in either my backpack or my 6MDH I don't bring

I seen TSA confiscated tripods, it really depends on the airport. They were given the option of checking it or losing it.

I had a Gitzo 1550T in carryon luggage and it was okay.

If there is one thing I've learned about flying with camera gear, it is to plan for the worst when it comes to checking in for your flight. Even if you always use the same carrier, you will find inconsistencies in how/if the carry-on limits are applied. Carrying any sort of camera gear almost guarantees you will be over the weight limit. If you fly often enough, then at some point you WILL be asked to check your gear in and you should plan accordingly. (This where I think many rollers/backpacks fall short in that they don't offer much crush resistance).

Anyway, to answer your question...

Long-haul

Lowepro X100 Roller with TT UD50 as my personal item. The camera gear goes into the X100 and computing gear + documents go into the UD50. I pack a TT shapeshifter into my check-in for use when I get there. I also have the backpack straps for the UD50 and the X100 can be converted into a backpack if there are issues at check-in (although I wouldn't recommend the backpack feature for frequent use).

Things get a bit more complicated if I'm traveling on my own time and want to take the 300/2.8. Then I switch out the X100 with a Peli 1510. This is risky though because the Peli exceeds the weight limit of some airlines even when it's empty. I've read numerous stories of Peli cases being stolen or broken into when checked in so I pack a cheap folding duffle into my check-in bag which is just big enough to cover the Peli if I was forced to check it in. Thankfully, I haven't had to use it yet. In the past I've also packed the 300 inside a Lowepro Flipside 300 which then fits nicely inside the Peli. The problem with this is that you lose a lot of capacity. I also saw a good tip in a Mauromedia podcast on YouTube where he wrapped his Peli in a sleeping bag, then placed the whole lot in a large rolling duffle which was checked in. I think if I was going on safari or a photo-specific trip then I might look at doing something like that.

Short-haul

Just the Shapeshifter if I'm traveling on my own time. The X100 and the Peli both exceed the dimension limits of the low-cost carriers in Europe and they're the ones most likely to check. Also the Peli is inconvenient if you're only allowed one item because there are no external pockets for documents, etc.

If I'm traveling on business, then just the UD50.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #11644589
The TSA has no rules against tripods...The airline may deny it as carry on however.

If nothing else, they'll consider it as a separate item that counts against the number of bags you can carry.

Here is the "official" TSA information on photo gear:

http://www.tsa.gov …stant/editorial​_1248.shtm

As Jay said, the TSA has one set of policies and the airline has another. You have to conform to both. For example, the TSA website says you can carry one bag of photo gear IN ADDITION TO one carry-on and one personal item (total of 3 items). However, most airlines have a policy of allowing only two items total.

As for the tripod, I would check it. The TSA rules are not clear and are open to interpretation by local TSA workers. To be safe and avoid headaches, I'd checking the tripod is the safest way.

Yes I always pack a mono-pod and carbon fiber tripod with my cloths. My Markins head I remove and it is in my carry-on. My Tamrac bag I already posted the link earlier in the post, has a 17 inch laptop compartment in the front. It is a very sturdy bag and very padded. I always leave my lenses in the bag or pouch they came in. I use the dividers for extra cushion and if there are any spaces left I fill them with bubble wrap. This bag also has a backpack padded pouch in the rear so it is very crush resistant. You can also stuff the padded laptop pouch with a jacket or other clothing at the last minute if somehow you were forced to check it. However this has never happened to me yet, even on smaller planes. All my gear listed and all my accessories fit neatly into this bag. It is waterproof too! ( Would not survive dropping it into a lake but in torrential rain it is fine.

shutterbug guy wrote in post #11642306
My next combo I've decided will be the Think Tank Shapeshifter and the belt/pouch system. The Tenba bag is nice but it gets a little large for walking around in crowds and such. I believe a backpack that collapses will be less bulky for walking around and stuff.

I agree but the bummer is the CAMERA portion collapses, not the laptop part? I ALWAYS have my camera with me, but not always a laptop (I don't even own one but what I would put in there doesn't always go with me).

tgara wrote in post #11642367
I was just offering suggestions. I'm a LowePro fan so I tend to gravitate towards their gear. In principle, any backpack would work. As for the Pelicans, if those cases work better for you, go for it! Get something that works for your styel. After all, you're gonna be the guy schlepping it!

yeah, thanks for the input!

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #11644589
The TSA has no rules against tripods...The airline may deny it as carry on however.

If nothing else, they'll consider it as a separate item that counts against the number of bags you can carry.

yeah, they can be jerks about it and a lot of it comes down to you IMHO? This is why I carry my tripod on a strap (-vs- in a case) and it's always on my shoulder when anywhere near the gate. Also, when I walk up to the ticketing counter it's on my shoulder (where they can't see it as well) until I can set it down against the counter out of their sight. Basically, hide it as much as possible until you're on the plane where it easily sits in the overhead. I've flown ~10 times with mine and NEVER had an issue, but that doesn't mean I won't at some point.

I also spin off my spiked feet and check them. And if I had to check the legs, I'd spin the head off at that point.

shoturtle wrote in post #11645158
I seen TSA confiscated tripods, it really depends on the airport.

which airports and when (-vs- terror issues)?

Scott_online wrote in post #11645204
I've read numerous stories of Peli cases being stolen or broken into when checked in so I pack a cheap folding duffle into my check-in bag which is just big enough to cover the Peli if I was forced to check it in. also saw a good tip in a Mauromedia podcast on YouTube where he wrapped his Peli in a sleeping bag, then placed the whole lot in a large rolling duffle which was checked in.

the duffle idea will only work WITH the sleeping bag trick IMHO. Thieves, especially that are targeting checked bags at airports, ARE NOT dumb IMHO... A duffle that's boxed shape will draw just as much attention no? Regardless, this is where insurance comes into play. I'm covered under my home owners for theft and a camera specific policy for theft AND damage (same company, so if it were stolen they can argue amongst themselves which policy will pay). My biggest fear is theft on the way out on a trip somewhere where I couldn't get replacements in time...