Going to the US, taking camera gear, how do I take it?
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Richard Peters
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I put my two bodies and main lenses in my carry on and leave my tripod and accessories in checked in luggage. Been to the states 8 times in the last 15 months and not once had a problem!
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Take it as hand luggage, would you trust putting it in the hold ? !
I wouldn't.
I wouldn't.
CScottMcQueen
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I put my Laptop, 5D, 24-70, 50mm and Flashgun in my Lowepro fastpack 350 and put the 70-200mm in its case in the main luggage.
There is supposed to be a weight limit to carry on but i've never been checked yet
There is supposed to be a weight limit to carry on but i've never been checked yet
You should be okay with flashguns in your hand luggage but be aware that sometimes the security staff at US airports will ask to see the flash. This happened to me back in December in Seattle but it wasn't a problem.
If you have spare batteries in your hand luggage be aware that the US TSA does not permit loose batteries to be carried. See this.
Richard Peters
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Same. Touch wood I've not once had any issues which is good as my bag always weighs over the 6kg limit I get. I often put my D300 and grip in my coat pockets too just to take a little weight out the bag when checking in.There is supposed to be a weight limit to carry on but i've never been checked yet
If you make sure you put any extra lenses etc in the suitcase inside another of your camera bags you should be fine.
As above - no loose batteries, but they'll be OK in the original packaging - easier to buy new ones when you get there though - less weight to carry...
If you have a lot - two bodies, + 3 lenses or more (and you don't, so don't worry), consider investing in a Peli-Case.
I use an empty one - i.e. no foam-insert - and stuff my cameras in the Lowe-Pro bag into that, along with laptop, cables and any other associated carp. Pad it out with old towels, which are useful to clean the exteriors with if it's a wet day and put a hefty padlock on it so the robbing gits in the airport baggage section don't 'accidentally' pop open the 7 clips and 'lose' anything.
Then it can go into the hold along with everything else that you'll lose on the connecting flight...lol
If you have a lot - two bodies, + 3 lenses or more (and you don't, so don't worry), consider investing in a Peli-Case.
I use an empty one - i.e. no foam-insert - and stuff my cameras in the Lowe-Pro bag into that, along with laptop, cables and any other associated carp. Pad it out with old towels, which are useful to clean the exteriors with if it's a wet day and put a hefty padlock on it so the robbing gits in the airport baggage section don't 'accidentally' pop open the 7 clips and 'lose' anything.
Then it can go into the hold along with everything else that you'll lose on the connecting flight...lol
StewartR
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6kg...? That's burger-all...!!!
Little John
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I came back from the states with my camera, flash and 1 extra lens as my hand luggage as a personal item I had a small rolling case as another item. They allowed 1 piece and a personal item like a laptop or camera bag, women usually get to use a handbag as their personal item.
The only thing is that with the recent bomb failure they have clamped down on hand luggage again to a single item so you are best to check with your airline before flying.
The only thing is that with the recent bomb failure they have clamped down on hand luggage again to a single item so you are best to check with your airline before flying.
Mikesphotaes
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Perhaps a wee read of your links is in order......
"....Effective January 1, 2008, you may not pack spare lithium batteries in your checked baggage.
You may pack spare lithium batteries in your carry-on baggage. Please see our Spare Battery Tips and How-To sections to find out how to pack spare batteries safely!..."
Richard Peters
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That's what I thought, but all my flights have been with Virgin and I've never once had a problem or my hand luggage weighed...yet, at least...
I'd never put all my gear in check in. I'd always want to to make sure I had the bare minumum on my person just so that if my cases got lost I'd still be able to take 'some' photos.
Fatboyjarv
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When I went to florida last year, I had my hand luggage checked 
As i knew it was well over weight :nuts: she asked what was in it and I told her my camera gear, she said put your camera gear and the top and they re checked the bag and said thats ok
So in all the times I have traveled to the states never had a problem with my camera gear in my hand luggage.
As i knew it was well over weight :nuts: she asked what was in it and I told her my camera gear, she said put your camera gear and the top and they re checked the bag and said thats ok So in all the times I have traveled to the states never had a problem with my camera gear in my hand luggage.
Organic
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Always carry onboard in your hand luggage. Have you seen the way the checked bags are treated?
We once had a very, very well wrapped and protected glass frame smashed to pieces in the checked bag. How they managed to destroy it I'll never know.
We once had a very, very well wrapped and protected glass frame smashed to pieces in the checked bag. How they managed to destroy it I'll never know.
Don't put a padlock on your checked in luggage because they will instantly saw it off because theyll want to know why your keeping your stuff secret.
bsmotorsport
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When I took mine to Antigua they went through my camera bag and got my rocket blower out! The lady said it was fine but dont get any funny ideas of throwing it around the cabin 
really friendly by all accounts, even commented it was a nice body, even airline staff know Nikons are the daddies 
really friendly by all accounts, even commented it was a nice body, even airline staff know Nikons are the daddies coldpenguin
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I took all my camera gear etc. in hand-baggage last year. This was around 15kg.
However, after the recent problem, I would consider putting the flashgun in checked baggage. Reason is that it would be relatively easy to modify one of these to be an effective short-range taser. You might be OK saying that 'look at all the rest of the camera stuff', but I would rather not take the risk.
There isn't a problem usually with padlocks. The guys at the TSA are very good at picking them, and then putting them back on. (Wife has had several bags opened, a little letter put inside saying they had a quick peek, then re-locked the bags).
If you are concerned, you can get combination locks, which are TSA approved. They will have a 'master' key for the locks. These are usually guaranteed as well, so if the TSA do cut them off, the manufacturers re-imburse you (this is what my in-laws have).
Personally, I use the free locks you get in crackers. All I want is something which would make my bag take a little longer, and a little bit more hassle to get into, than the one next to it without a padlock. That should be enough to put off the opportunistic thief.
However, after the recent problem, I would consider putting the flashgun in checked baggage. Reason is that it would be relatively easy to modify one of these to be an effective short-range taser. You might be OK saying that 'look at all the rest of the camera stuff', but I would rather not take the risk.
There isn't a problem usually with padlocks. The guys at the TSA are very good at picking them, and then putting them back on. (Wife has had several bags opened, a little letter put inside saying they had a quick peek, then re-locked the bags).
If you are concerned, you can get combination locks, which are TSA approved. They will have a 'master' key for the locks. These are usually guaranteed as well, so if the TSA do cut them off, the manufacturers re-imburse you (this is what my in-laws have).
Personally, I use the free locks you get in crackers. All I want is something which would make my bag take a little longer, and a little bit more hassle to get into, than the one next to it without a padlock. That should be enough to put off the opportunistic thief.
Syx
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They weren't talking about the camera!
Erin
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Restricitions are in place to avoid horrible injuries if any baggage falls out the overhead lockers during turbulance etc.
And 23kg is ridiculous for hand luggage really, how many people can lift that much weight above there heads to put in the lockers!
david1701
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Restricitions are in place to avoid horrible injuries if any baggage falls out the overhead lockers during turbulance etc.
And 23kg is ridiculous for hand luggage really, how many people can lift that much weight above there heads to put in the lockers!
easy, i can heft 2x15kg feed sacks above my head, and proper baggage has handles that make it a lot easier to move. My camera bag is usually at least 15kgs and thats without much stuff in it and digi only
TriggerHappy
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That's rubbish. You'd be a fool to let your luggage go through without it being secure. If they want to check it they can scan it and ask you to open it.
It's not entirely rubbish. No, they won't "instantly saw it off because they'll want to know why you're keeping your stuff secret". Many people lock their cases. They scan all the luggage, obviously, and if they see anything they're unsure of, they will cut the lock off. They will NOT ask you to open it. The baggage handling area is deep in the bowels of the terminal, and there is no way they will try to locate the owners - lots of them - and take them down there.
For US travellers, you can get special padlocks which can be opened by the US baggage inspection people. They have a coloured indicator which tells you that they have been opened (and locked again). When the US TSA people have been through a case, they leave a slip of paper telling you so. I've had mine gone through several times.
I don't bother locking my cases. It won't stop baggage handling thieves, who are skilled at their sideline. Besides, you shouldn't be putting anything of value in them anyway.
No they won't - been doing it for 20 years now.
The just X-Ray it at a higher resolution. If there are any dramas you are asked to come and open it personally - that's the law. Otherwise you could claim that 'suspicious' articles had been placed there without your knowledge.
StewartR
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I'm not an expert, but it seems to me you can't possibly both be right....
You are not asked to come open your bag if they become suspicious after you have checked it in. They will just do it, and a padlock on it will not stop them.
Seeing as there was recently a failed terrorist threat, and with the US and UK govt apparently having the guy on their watch list (on the UK's no fly list and the US's terror watchlist) there's a few red faces around. Therefore, baggage restrictions at the moment will be extra tight.
You have to weigh up wether you want to risk being way overweight and therefore having to make an unplanned check in (Which means whatever you check in is going into a box that the airport provide and makes it harder to protect properly) or wether you want to risk it and hope you get away with it.
If you do check in and your bag is lost, airlines will only pay out after it's officially declared lost (which is different from missing), and only pay you the depreciated value on your items (so if a replacement camera costs you £1000, and you bought yours for £1000 a few years ago, they'll only give you what yours was worth (£700 or whatever)).
Seeing as there was recently a failed terrorist threat, and with the US and UK govt apparently having the guy on their watch list (on the UK's no fly list and the US's terror watchlist) there's a few red faces around. Therefore, baggage restrictions at the moment will be extra tight.
You have to weigh up wether you want to risk being way overweight and therefore having to make an unplanned check in (Which means whatever you check in is going into a box that the airport provide and makes it harder to protect properly) or wether you want to risk it and hope you get away with it.
If you do check in and your bag is lost, airlines will only pay out after it's officially declared lost (which is different from missing), and only pay you the depreciated value on your items (so if a replacement camera costs you £1000, and you bought yours for £1000 a few years ago, they'll only give you what yours was worth (£700 or whatever)).
boyfalldown
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In light of the current security concerns flying to the US would it not be worth thinking about couriering it to your GF in Boston so its there for when you arrive? May be better then an unplanned check in
Hugh
Hugh
springer
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I went to alaska in march and vegas in july 2009.I'd heard all sorts of horror stories about us customs being a nightmare to get through.
Both times i carried 400d and 2/3 lenses, also spare batteries as hand luggage in a lowepro slingshot.No problems at all.
I must admit everytime we found the us customs staff to be thoroughly efficient and courteous at every airport- much more than in the uk.
For checked in luggage you're supposed to have the tsa locks which can be opened by customs with some kind of master key, otherwise they often cut locks off to check luggage.
Both times i carried 400d and 2/3 lenses, also spare batteries as hand luggage in a lowepro slingshot.No problems at all.
I must admit everytime we found the us customs staff to be thoroughly efficient and courteous at every airport- much more than in the uk.
For checked in luggage you're supposed to have the tsa locks which can be opened by customs with some kind of master key, otherwise they often cut locks off to check luggage.
haggis
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Putting anything of value in a checked bag is a HUGE risk. As others have said the US customs guys insist on being able to open any checked bag without you being present. They will do whatever it takes and you are left with the consequences if anything goes missing.
You most definitely are an expert, and because it's still the Christmas season and a happy new year, we can both be right
As I've said, I've had my cases opened several times over 20+ years of travelling, including locks removed, before I stopped using them a long time ago. The US TSA are quite partial to opening mine for some reason, but are good enough to leave a note inside. I have never once been called to be present when they have been opened, anywhere. I've also never had anything of value taken from them. But that's because there's never been anything of value inside apart from my old Fuji 690 MF which is as big as 2 house bricks.
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BA's 23kg allowance is for checked luggage, not hand luggage as far as I know 
- I can find reference to checked luggage allowance being 23kg but nothing about the weight of hand luggage on their site. However, I would not be able to pass the 'rule' of being able to lift my luggage unaided into the over head locker if it weighed 23kilos anyway!! 
I checked that because I thought I'd flipping well fly with BA if they let me take into the cabin what United will only let me have as a suitcase!
I did also notice on the BA site that the restrictions placed on travelling to the US from Gatwick, Heathrow or London City (basically, ONE item of hang baggage only instead of the previous one laptop case etc and one handbag or whatever - I usually take my laptop case, which is on wheels and holds more than just the laptop, and my camera case as my 'handbag') although another bag can be checked in for free as long as it meets usual guidelines.
I tend to check stuff like that as I go to the US at least once a year and they do sometimes make a change so it's better to check!
I also use the TSA locks and have for years. Better locked than not, IMO. The TSA will most certainly open a case if they want to and ruined one of my father's cases. I get mine from Asda!
Have a great trip rgrebby!
- I can find reference to checked luggage allowance being 23kg but nothing about the weight of hand luggage on their site. However, I would not be able to pass the 'rule' of being able to lift my luggage unaided into the over head locker if it weighed 23kilos anyway!! I checked that because I thought I'd flipping well fly with BA if they let me take into the cabin what United will only let me have as a suitcase! I did also notice on the BA site that the restrictions placed on travelling to the US from Gatwick, Heathrow or London City (basically, ONE item of hang baggage only instead of the previous one laptop case etc and one handbag or whatever - I usually take my laptop case, which is on wheels and holds more than just the laptop, and my camera case as my 'handbag') although another bag can be checked in for free as long as it meets usual guidelines.
I tend to check stuff like that as I go to the US at least once a year and they do sometimes make a change so it's better to check!
I also use the TSA locks and have for years. Better locked than not, IMO. The TSA will most certainly open a case if they want to and ruined one of my father's cases. I get mine from Asda!
Have a great trip rgrebby!
BA's 23kg allowance is for checked luggage, not hand luggage as far as I know
BA have advertised and removed hand baggage weights on and off over the years. The last publicised weight limit recommendation for hand baggage was 23kg. This, as you say, has currently disappeared from the site to be replaced with the "able to be lifted overhead unaided". I've had my bag up to 23kg and been able to stow it without difficulty. It's getting it down which requires care.
Little John
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Just a few examples of what has happened to me in the past.
The US have no problem sending bags on a flight without the passenger on the flight, We went to LA in 2005 via Newark a delay in Manchester resulted in us missing our connection and being bumped to another flight leaving 55 minutes after we landed, bags have to be collected where you first enter the US and you have to do immigration and check in for the new flight and go though security again. so 55 minutes is cutting things really fine for a connecting flight at your first port of entry to the US. The result was we missed the flight but our bags made it and were sent to LA while we were left in Newark till the following morning. When we arrived at LAX our bags had been chained to a fence at the carousel about 4 metres from the exit of the airport, anyone could have got to the bags opened them and removed the contents fortunately they were locked with TSA locks but that is the reason we lock all our bags.
I also travel to a collectors convention in Las Vegas been 3 times 2005, 2007 and 2009. the collectibles usually cost about £9 to buy but can have a high value on some of the rare items, and I carry about 600 of them with me in laptop sized bags so a fair bit of value in there, they always go as hand luggage and weigh about 15-18KG in the bags so we split them between us who is travelling to spread the weight, they get scrutinised by security but we go early to allow for this (yes we had them on the trip to LA above). We also have laptop, camera, books and the other usual hand luggage items with us so the weight is an issue but it has never been a problem we have flown with most airlines all over the US and Europe even Easyjet and Ryanair and our hand luggage has never been weighed it as long as you can put it in the over head bins they have no problem and as we carry/pull the bags designed to fit in the bins they just slide in easily.
I know there are airlines who have different baggage policies we fell for it on our last trip in September US airlines always allowed 2 pieces of checked luggage up to 32KG each, they have nearly all changed it for flights leaving the UK to fall in line with everyone else, 1 piece and 23KG weight. ouch nearly a third what we are normally allowed we ended up paying for extra baggage so check around the airlines your booking with for the allowances. But never check expensive kit in as it will travel without you if you miss a connecting flight.
The US have no problem sending bags on a flight without the passenger on the flight, We went to LA in 2005 via Newark a delay in Manchester resulted in us missing our connection and being bumped to another flight leaving 55 minutes after we landed, bags have to be collected where you first enter the US and you have to do immigration and check in for the new flight and go though security again. so 55 minutes is cutting things really fine for a connecting flight at your first port of entry to the US. The result was we missed the flight but our bags made it and were sent to LA while we were left in Newark till the following morning. When we arrived at LAX our bags had been chained to a fence at the carousel about 4 metres from the exit of the airport, anyone could have got to the bags opened them and removed the contents fortunately they were locked with TSA locks but that is the reason we lock all our bags.
I also travel to a collectors convention in Las Vegas been 3 times 2005, 2007 and 2009. the collectibles usually cost about £9 to buy but can have a high value on some of the rare items, and I carry about 600 of them with me in laptop sized bags so a fair bit of value in there, they always go as hand luggage and weigh about 15-18KG in the bags so we split them between us who is travelling to spread the weight, they get scrutinised by security but we go early to allow for this (yes we had them on the trip to LA above). We also have laptop, camera, books and the other usual hand luggage items with us so the weight is an issue but it has never been a problem we have flown with most airlines all over the US and Europe even Easyjet and Ryanair and our hand luggage has never been weighed it as long as you can put it in the over head bins they have no problem and as we carry/pull the bags designed to fit in the bins they just slide in easily.
I know there are airlines who have different baggage policies we fell for it on our last trip in September US airlines always allowed 2 pieces of checked luggage up to 32KG each, they have nearly all changed it for flights leaving the UK to fall in line with everyone else, 1 piece and 23KG weight. ouch nearly a third what we are normally allowed we ended up paying for extra baggage so check around the airlines your booking with for the allowances. But never check expensive kit in as it will travel without you if you miss a connecting flight.
Little John
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I just got a message from a friend who lives in Vegas they have been to Toronto for the weekend and the Canada authorities have changed the carry on rules for all flights to the US to no carry on at all. There are exceptions laptops, portable games consoles and cameras with accessories like lenses etc in purpose designed bags are allowed but must not be carried in large bags that you would normally use for hand luggage, they even differentiate between a standard laptop bag that pretty much holds a a laptop and accessories and the larger pull along laptop bags they are not allowed. So check this may be rolled out to other countries traveling to the US. This was brought in on the 9th Jan 2010.