Air travel with gear in the new age

[Richard Stern]

Hi,

Since the last attempted attack on Dec. 25, air travellers to the US are now no longer allowed to take hand luggage (except only1 very small piece containing essential items). Of course, you're still not allowed to lock checked baggage. So does anyone know how we can safely transport expensive cameras, lenses etc. on visits to the US these days, with minimal chance of theft or loss?

Thanks,

Richard

[Michael Bertelsen]

Hi Richard,

I was thinking of the same thing yesterday. The best idea would be to purchase a good hard suitcase and fit some foam inside it. Then cut out places for your camera and lenes. I don't think you can buy suitcase that fits a large camera bag, but I could be wrong.

Michael Bertelsen
www.algonquinparkphototours.com (http://www.algonquinparkphototours.com)

[Asif Khan]

Hi Richard / Michael - Fortunately we dont have such restrictions in asia yet. Though i did research some months back on hard cases for long lens/body storage. Hardigg http://www.stormcase.com/ and Pelican http://www.pelican.com/ both make good hard cases which can be checked in. Others may know better, but these are my two cents worth input.

Cheers

[Bob Ettinger]

Hi Richard / Michael - Fortunately we dont have such restrictions in asia yet. Though i did research some months back on hard cases for long lens/body storage. Hardigg http://www.stormcase.com/ and Pelican http://www.pelican.com/ both make good hard cases which can be checked in. Others may know better, but these are my two cents worth input.

Cheers

These cases will protect the gear but provide no assuance that they will arrive at your destination. :eek: Cases such as this say "steal me" big time.

[Pao Dolina]

The last recourse is to have it shipped via private courier.

http://photofocus.com/2009/12/30/traveling-better-get-a-ups-account/

When I was in traveling in the US back in 2008 I thought it was bad but now... just scary plain scary. The screeners at the gate have to do a better job filtering out the psychos trying to bomb a plane.

[Joerg Rockenberger]

United actually offers a Door-to-Door baggage service via FedEx but only for domestic flights. JR

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Good question Richard, I am getting ready to go to the US. I found this article http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/backgrounders-menu-5781.htm (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/backgrounders-menu-5781.htm). I am not sure what it means by one or more cameras. Best to call your carrier I guess. I heard that this restriction may be temporary. If I find out any more I will let you know.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I also found this. http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/Page.aspx?id=5&pname=Permitteditems&lang=en&CategoryID=1 (http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/Page.aspx?id=5&pname=Permitteditems&lang=en&CategoryID=1)

[Jim Zipp]

Get ready to lay out more to ship your gear than you butt!

This is for CT to San Diego CA. My flight is $244 ROUND TRIP. Even Fedex Express Saver would be $442 and Standard Overnight would be $642 round trip with insurance.

Package Details: 1 package, 25.0 lbs, Your Packaging, 18 in x 24 in x 18 in, 15000.00 USD

Here are rates each way.

FedEx Standard Overnight® 319.75
FedEx 2Day® 284.92
FedEx Express Saver® 220.83

If you opt to forgo the insurance and rely on your own insurance it's better but still pricy

FedEx Standard Overnight® 199.64
FedEx 2Day® 167.31
FedEx Express Saver® 108.66

[Richard Stern]

<table style="width: 554px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 312px; padding-top: 9px;" align="left" valign="top">Hi - Catch 22. CATSA says this about digital cameras --

Digital cameras
We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on baggage. Check with your air carrier for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic devices during your flight.

But on another page they say they're banning carry-ons!

Richard

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[Ian McHenry]

Just a bit of lateral thinking.
Could you good people in Canada fly down to Montreal or Toronto then go over the border to NYC then get an internal US flight to your destination ?
Just a thought !!!
Ian Mc

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Good idea Ian, might work for me to go to Buffalo and then fly to Miami from there. Now just to get my original flight refunded. I am phoning my carrier to get clarification (West Jet), I will post any news that I come up with.

[Ed Cordes]

I have just been on KLM site as well as Delta/Northwest and US TSA sites. The only "no carry on at all" rule seems to be on flight from Canada to the USA. The other sites say one carry on and one personal item. there is a warning that your carry on may be searched more completely on all other sites I surfed.

Of course, this could change by the hour!

[Fabs Forns]

I just checked Delta's website and didn't see anything different posted. We flew on the 25th, so luggage is here. Let's see how it goes back :eek:

[Alfred Forns]

Will let you know how we fare on the way back from Wyoming !!!

[Jamie Strickland]

your allowed to lock check baggage if you use a TSA approved lock, or at least you were before I have done it many times

insurance is going to be a big must now for sure because shipping it via fedex or something is crazy expensive as well

I will be buying a bigger pelican case and the tsa lock

this whole travel thing is getting a little ridiculous, some guy has a bomb inside his pants that they cant find even after they were warned and now everyone else in the world cant bring anything on the plane because of pure incompetence ... yup that pretty much sums it up and makes a ton of sense to me lol

[Roger Clark]

because of pure incompetence ... yup that pretty much sums it up and makes a ton of sense to me lol

Hey, just wait till the next guy has a bomb stuffed up his rear...... :eek:
Then we pine for the good old days of last week! :eek::eek::eek:;)

Happy New Year.

Roger

[Jamie Strickland]

Hey, just wait till the next guy has a bomb stuffed up his rear...... :eek:
Then we pine for the good old days of last week! :eek::eek::eek:;)

Happy New Year.

Roger

if that happens we may all get the rubber glove treatment and free prostate exam before takeoff :D

[Rocky Sharwell]

I flew back to Tampa on the 29th from NY---Zero change was noticed. They did not look inside my Kiboko depsite it being full of gear including batteries and assorted wires...

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I am flying from Canada to the US shortly. I phoned my carrier and actually had to make an appointment for a call-back which I will get tomorrow. Will get the definitive answer tomorrow and post.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

No carry-on luggage allowed between Canada and US flights. Just checked with my Canadian carrier. Supposedly restrictions will be lifted by Jan 5th which is code for the cheque is in the mail. If all else fails I will take Ian's suggestions, and drive to Buffalo, and leave from there.

[Declan Troy]

Jackie, I flew out of Toronto to the US today. The rule is no carry-on but there is a long list of exceptions including laptops, cameras, etc. (no change from late December). Most passengers I saw had some sort of bag but nothing with wheels seemed to be allowed. I was uncertain what I could get away with so I checked some gear I intended to carry (but used a TSA lock). I did but my camera & laptop in my computer bag and asked the inspector if I could have brought more and was told no I should have carried on the telephoto. I guess one can have different experiences with different agents but my passage was much easier than anticipated and the screeners were very accommodating. Good luck with your flight.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Thanks Declan I have been following our CATSA site (airline security) and as of yesterday camera bags (dedicated) and laptops w/bags are allowed. I have a photo vest (vested interest) and it will be stuffed to the gills. Thanks for your reply. Here is the full list of exempt items For a full list of exempt items you can go to the CATSA site.

[Richard Stern]

I have just posted some images of what CATSA consider acceptable or not in the other thread on this subject re: Carry-on restrictions, by Paul Lagasi today.

Richard