Any problems taking an SLR on a plane as hand luggage?

Deano

Deano

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Going on a few trips away this year Budapest, Warsaw to name but a few with a few cheap airlines. I know the customs searches seem to take longer and longer. Are there any problems with taking an SLr on board as hand luggage along with a few lenses? Give me your advice and experiences good or bad...
 
Deano, none at all. I've just come back from a couple of trips, one to the US and another to Argentina, probably 16 flights in all, and carry on 2 bodies, 4 lenses and various cards etc all in a Lowepro bag weighing around 8 kilos.

NEVER put a camera in hold luggage, or indeed anything which can be nicked, 'cos it may well be!!

Hope this helps,
George
 
I always check the carry on weight and size allowances for the airline. Sometimes I go over the weight but never the size. Always have a backup plan in case of being challenged over the weight (put heavy item in Mrs's bag usually).Have never been asked the weight at check in - which is the only place anyone might ask.
 
I went away twice last year, one of them to Budapest, and had no problems at all with my camera gear in my rucksack. :)

Keep and eye on the weight limits and everything should be fine.

At least from my limited experiences. ;-)
 
Robert, I have had hand baggage weighed, and occasionally been asked to remove something to hold, but when i tell them what's in the bag and it's value, it's always been ok, but the airlines all vary the weights depending on which airline and your class of travel. But you are absolutely correct on size, check your bag fits the gauges in the airport, preferably before you travel!

I took my latest bag to the airport for a "dry run" to make sure it was ok.

Hand baggage weight max is available on the airlines web sites.
 
been to hk, china, vietnam, japan and around europe in the last couple of years and never any problems. I did get a bag search coming back into hk from china though and thought it may be my 70-200mm they were interested in, but it was the metal strip on the wad of Dongs I had in my bag.
 
just came back from sweden and no problems i had it all in a lowepro
 
Never had a problem with taking camera equipment onto a plane but had a problem with weight using flyglobespan to Spain at the end of last year. On the way out they only weighed the cargo luggage. On the way back they weighed everything, including hand luggage. Nice little surcharge applied :(

In fairness though it did state in the T&C's that the weight allowance was for everything. It's just the fact that the system is inconsistent that really annoys me.
 
:agree: I've travelled all over the shop
most often the camera gear gets ignored
laptop has to be taken out of its cosy blanket
only once asked to power it up (laptop)

BA tend not to weigh hand baggage
the "other end of the market" are more picky (want money!)
 
The only problems I have encountered have been in the USA where I was asked where the receipts for all my kit were. I guess they thought I was importing it. It was off to a side room and I had to do a bit of explaining. Other than a very good search of my bag I have never encountered any problems getting on the plane.
 
went to japan twice last year and I was a bit worried as my back pack also has my laptop in and it is HEAVY and just a touch over the size limit , but they were fine both times,
 
As others have said, make sure you check with your specific airline exactly what you're allowed to take on, and then double-check and check again. Airlines vary wildly in what they'll allow, in terms of both size and weight.

Funnily enough, some of the cheaper airlines can be quite generous with carry-on allowances - presumably because they're trying to discourage you from putting stuff in the hold. For example, Ryanair allows one bag up to 55x40x20cm, weighing up to 10kg. Easyjet allows one bag up to 55x40x20cm, with no weight restriction so long as you can lift it into the overhead bins.

BA is the most generous airline flying out of the UK, I believe - they allow one bag up to 56x45x25cm, weighing up to 23kg, plus (at most airports, but not Gatwick) a laptop bag, briefcase or handbag.

The stingiest mainstream airline I've come across is Alitalia; out of LHR they allow one bag up to 55x35x25cm, weighing no more than 5kg. But charters can be bad too; for example First Choice allow one bag up to 45x35x20cm, also limited to 5kg.

Did I say double-check with your airline?
 
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