Shipping kit in the aircraft hold

Dervish99

Dervish99

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I will need to ship my enitre kit to New Zealand at the ned of the year, has any one any advice on it going in the hold? I always take it as hand luggage, but the whole kit is far too heavy/bulky to do this, I was thinking of a large peli case for the hold, but having worked as a baggage handler myself in the past :help: i'm worried about it.

Any suggestions?
 
I'd say while he peli case massively reduces the chance of damage, it's going to increase the chances of theft.
 
I would suggest that a Peli case is a great idea and, do ensure that you have a reasonable level of insurance on the equipment.
 
What about a peli, inside a knackered, beat up old case? gear protected, thieves deterred by the appearance of an old grandad bag!
 
definitely a peli case. preferably with the foam inserts rather than dividers in this instance to absorb shock better.

and make sure its all insured in and out of the country.
 
I go with peli cases with foam inserts and make sure its very well insured,and see if you can get at least one body & lens with you in your hand luggage,just in case

:)
 
Another vote for the peli case here! I've done hundreds of flights with peli cases all over the place and they're pretty much bomb proof, almost without doubt your best bet for ensuring your gear has a safe trip. :)
 
Is this a permanent move or a holiday? If a holiday, think about how much kit you really need to take. I'm currently in the middle of three weeks work/holiday in Canada & was able to fit everything I need into a cabin bag. All the less valuable/vulnerable stuff - chargers, leads, and the like - went into the hold. Bodies, lenses and batteries in the cabin.
 
On my last trip, I took a D4, D800e, 70-200, 24-70, 17-35, 2 spare batteries, variety of Lee filters, loads of memory cards, a laptop and few other little bits and pieces with me as hand luggage. I left the tripod and chargers in my suitcase.

How much are you taking?
 
Merc said:
On my last trip, I took a D4, D800e, 70-200, 24-70, 17-35, 2 spare batteries, variety of Lee filters, loads of memory cards, a laptop and few other little bits and pieces with me as hand luggage. I left the tripod and chargers in my suitcase.

How much are you taking?
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How did you manage that?
My D800 and battery grip and 1 lens alone was about the max weight for hand luggage.
Although I concede that if they don't look heavy they often don't weight them I have never dared try that with cameras in case I was forced to put them in the hold unprepared.
 
Steve-T said:
How did you manage that?
My D800 and battery grip and 1 lens alone was about the max weight for hand luggage.
Although I concede that if they don't look heavy they often don't weight them I have never dared try that with cameras in case I was forced to put them in the hold unprepared.
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Never had my hand luggage weighed other than on budget airlines as your flying to New Zealand I would be amazed if it is weighed!
 
a1ex2001 said:
Never had my hand luggage weighed other than on budget airlines as your flying to New Zealand I would be amazed if it is weighed!
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I have had mine weighed a few times with Qatar flying long haul and even when it's been over they haven't been bothered as its camera gear...the same cant be said for Ryan Air...

I can normally get 2xD7000s, 11-16 f2.8, 20mm f1.8, 35mm f1.8, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8 and flash lighting gear along with my 13" laptop, hard drives and a few random accessories just in under 10kg
 
a1ex2001 said:
Never had my hand luggage weighed other than on budget airlines as your flying to New Zealand I would be amazed if it is weighed!
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Sometimes they're more strict weighing hand luggage on long haul than short/medium. I'd very, very, very strongly advice not risking taking an overweight cabin bag on the off chance they might not weigh it because if they do you're utterly screwed, you either don't get on the plane or check your camera bag in. If it's a small plane where you just pick it up at the bottom of the stairs then it's fine going in the hold but long haul where the next time you'll see it is on the baggage belt... Well... I don't really want to think about it...
 
PMN said:
Sometimes they're more strict weighing hand luggage on long haul than short/medium. I'd very, very, very strongly advice not risking taking an overweight cabin bag on the off chance they might not weigh it because if they do you're utterly screwed, you either don't get on the plane or check your camera bag in. If it's a small plane where you just pick it up at the bottom of the stairs then it's fine going in the hold but long haul where the next time you'll see it is on the baggage belt... Well... I don't really want to think about it...
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Odd must have been on 100 long/medium haul flights in the last 10 years and other than scum air they have never touched my hand luggage except in India when they made me empty it!
 
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2 5d2s, 24-105, 70-200 IS, 50mm, 15.4" laptop, flash, fistfull of batteries and cards. Comes in at around 9kg including lowpro computrekker. That's been enough to shoot pioneer families 100th anniversary, chuck wagon racing, some sundry floods and landscapes, and a couple of politicians who threw themselves in front of the lens (this happens everywhere you go). Did basic edits on the laptop (good enough for web, sort of), will do serious editing when I get to Vancouver, and finish off at home in a couple of weeks. Agree with the bit above about never risking even the slightest chance of going overweight and being forced to put good gear into the hold. 10kg max for cabin is pretty common - I got weighed by Canadian Affair this trip - and actual size is being trimmed by some low cost outfits, so make sure you check the latest info.
 
Not sure Canadian Affair will appreciate being accused of being 'improper'!
 
a1ex2001 said:
Odd must have been on 100 long/medium haul flights in the last 10 years and other than scum air they have never touched my hand luggage except in India when they made me empty it!
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I've done about 500 flights in the last 3 years, I've had mine weighed enough times for it to be a risk I'm not prepared to take.

As far as emptying bags goes, I've had to do that almost every time I've been through Amsterdam over the last few years and considering I was flying through there up to 4 times a week it was rather annoying!
 
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PMN said:
I've done about 500 flights in the last 3 years, I've had mine weighed enough times for it to be a risk I'm not prepared to take.

As far as emptying bags goes, I've had to do that almost every time I've been through Amsterdam over the last few years and considering I was flying through there up to 4 times a week it was rather annoying!
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It's so odd how we all have different experiences I've past through and stopped at Amsterdam a few times in the last couple of years and they've never shown the slightest interest!
 
a1ex2001 said:
It's so odd how we all have different experiences I've past through and stopped at Amsterdam a few times in the last couple of years and they've never shown the slightest interest!
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I probably just look dodgy! :lol:

I never used to have a problem flying through AMS and then suddenly they seemed to want you to take all electronics, wires, etc, out of your bag as you went through (although this did depend on which security point you were going through - sadly I went through this particular one every time!) They always said it was the same policy as every other European airport but I was doing between 4 and 8 flights every week and I never saw the same level of stupidity anywhere else. Doesn't help that KLM foolishly sometimes give you 45 minute connections through AMS... In the morning... When it's packed... With silly security rules... Needless to say a few Heinekens were consumed in the KLM lounge on more than one occasion wasting time after missing a flight! :lol:
 
Good to know I'm not the only one to have run through the airport chasing a klm connection, they are a little ambitious with the times to say the least!

It is funny how we've had such different experiences I've never had a piece of hand luggage weighed and only had it searched 3 times despite it being full of wires batteries and electrical goodies. Many moons ago I had a box neatly packed with 30 cassette tapes in the bottom of my hand luggage which the Birmingham security people were very keen examine and that was well before September 11.
 
I usually get the "Take your shoes and belt off, empty pockets and stand over here for a full pat down." I must look dodgy.
I did learn on my last flight that when they are giving you a full pat down and at the point when it feels almost like they're giving you a cuddle. Don't cuddle them back! They don't find it very funny.:nono:
 
The inconsistency is bazaar. My Mrs wanted to bring some chutney back from Boston a while back. The US border was fine with this, but Schiphol confiscated the lot. I've only ever had a cursory check on my bag, which is always stuffed with leads, batteries, electronic triggers and long, heavy tubular objects and sealed titanium boxes with lots of buttons that are impenetrable to x-rays and could contain anything.

But if I was to try and get a bottle of coke or a nail file through the barrier... :cuckoo:
 
jon ryan said:
Is this a permanent move or a holiday? If a holiday, think about how much kit you really need to take. I'm currently in the middle of three weeks work/holiday in Canada & was able to fit everything I need into a cabin bag. All the less valuable/vulnerable stuff - chargers, leads, and the like - went into the hold. Bodies, lenses and batteries in the cabin.
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Permanent move, been looking at the allowances for various airlines, some much moe generous than others.
 
Merc said:
On my last trip, I took a D4, D800e, 70-200, 24-70, 17-35, 2 spare batteries, variety of Lee filters, loads of memory cards, a laptop and few other little bits and pieces with me as hand luggage. I left the tripod and chargers in my suitcase.

How much are you taking?
Click to expand...

Taking everything as it's a one way trip, so looking at 5D3, 5D2, 450D, XE-1, 70-200 2.8, 100-400 5.6, 24-105, 12-24, 2 x 50mm, 18-55, flash, all associated stuff. Will be putting the non fragile stuff in the hold, but it still weighs around 18-19kg

+ an 18.4" laptop
 
Dervish99 said:
Taking everything as it's a one way trip, so looking at 5D3, 5D2, 450D, XE-1, 70-200 2.8, 100-400 5.6, 24-105, 12-24, 2 x 50mm, 18-55, flash, all associated stuff. Will be putting the non fragile stuff in the hold, but it still weighs around 18-19kg

+ an 18.4" laptop
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Peli + extra insurance, specifying exactly what you're taking and it's value, then.
 
Dervish99 said:
Taking everything as it's a one way trip, so looking at 5D3, 5D2, 450D, XE-1, 70-200 2.8, 100-400 5.6, 24-105, 12-24, 2 x 50mm, 18-55, flash, all associated stuff. Will be putting the non fragile stuff in the hold, but it still weighs around 18-19kg

+ an 18.4" laptop
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BA gives you 23kg, allowing you to take a carry on case and a separate laptop bag.
 
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I dont carry as much stuff but over the past 5 years ive flown to china about 6/7 times and have never had a issue with them weighing my bag. Every tine has been with KLM bar the last we flew BA.
They normaly make me take my ipad and Mac book out but thats it. Im sure I even had batterys in my bag and there a no no I think. Only issue ive had was with liquids and food. But they normaly ask to pour them awaybor taste them.(my daughter is allergic to milk and egg so we take our own for the 20+ hour trip). Maby its because I travel with the famiky I have no issues, including two kids under 5

Normaly my bag has d7/800, 85 1.4, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 50 1.8, sb600, filter's, cam batteries, rechargable batteries, chargers for cam ipad and laptop . I pad mini and 15"mac pro. Im sure its over weight.
 
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As an update I flew again the other day with Qatar and again had my hand luggage weighed, only 4kg over but luckily they deem laptops and cameras as personal items so once they were out it was plenty under. Just not worth risking it, get a peli and check it I would say
 
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