Taking your gear abroad?

CarlukeDave

CarlukeDave

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I'm off to Lanzarote in September for a week, we're going with my in laws, which despite the obvious drawbacks, allows me to get away for a day with the camera.

I've never taken all my kit abroad before, I assume that taking my lowepro micro trekker 200 on as hand luggage is okay?

Dave
 
If it fits in the overhead locker and is the correct weight I don't see why not. Have you got insurance cover?
 
holiday insurance will cover your equipment, 90% (if not all) of airlines now go for hand luggage size and now weight so as long as you are within the size limitation you should be good, just beware that you are likely to be searched on the way through security as they usually search photographers.
 
Its always best to check the website of the airline you're flying with; each airline has different maximum luggage size allowances.

One piece of advice though is NEVER be tempted to put your camera and equipment in the hold. There's a good chance of it getting damaged by baggage handlers, so do check beforehand that your equipment falls within the size limitations.

Hope this helps:thumbs:
 
Before you go, empty (and I mean EMPTY) all the kit out and repack it. It's embarrasing when you realise that you've left a Swiss Army knife in the pocket and that the mini tripod had legs that could be used to stab the pilot...

Remember that if you leave a lens at home, it'll be the one that you need to get that perfect shot. Try not to duplicate too much in the way of F/L but take that fast 50mm - it doesn't take up much space! Stick anything not too valuable and fragile in the hold luggage.

Of course, you could just use this trip a a recce for next year's photographic holiday and just take a waterproof compact!
 
Airport staff confuse me. At Paris CDG last Monday, I had a fairly sturdy Manfrotto tripod, which they were fine with, but they didn't like climbing karabiners. WTF?
 
Always wondered and probably a silly question but are DSLR's ok to go through the X-ray?? Just curious as to whether it would damage the sensor??
 
Dave, check and double-check and triple-check the hand-baggage allowances of the airline you'll be using. They're suprisingly variable. There's a good reference here, but it doesn't cover every airline and is especially patchy on charters.
 
I agree with Stuart. Easy Jet seem to have a smaller restriction in size.. but they dont weigh the bag. My Mini Trekker went through their "size-checker thingy" and it wasnt weighed which is good as it weighed a ton!

On the bad side they only allow ONE item... which means i couldnt even take a handbag.

Other companies weigh the bag but have a higher size restriction 25cm height instead of 20".

The difference is not only flight company based but sometimes also airport based as to whether you can take one or two bags yet.

So do your homework!! :thumbs:
 
cableliquid said:
holiday insurance will cover your equipment, 90% (if not all) of airlines now go for hand luggage size and now weight so as long as you are within the size limitation you should be good, just beware that you are likely to be searched on the way through security as they usually search photographers.
Click to expand...

Are photographers statistically more inclined to smuggle stuff or are prone to airplane hijackings or something?
 
some good advice here, i took a lot of kit to Iceland with me when i went a while back, including a 300 2.8 and 10-22, along with the 1d and other bits and bobs, the main thing is the weight, but usually if you can lift it up into the overhead they dont bother, so dont walk up to check in looking like your arms are coming out of their sockets ;)

I didnt get searched any more than anybody else, they didnt even ask me to open the bags or anything.
 
Being a passenger services agent in GCI we are asked stuff like this all the time. . . .the rules are as people have stated above.
The amount of hand luggage (ie 1 or 2 pieces) is up to the airport, not the airline.

The size and the weight is up to the airline. Most airlines have a sizer at the airport. Your bag must be able to fit in easily and out again. . . if it gets stuck or you have to push it in hard they wont except it. Some sizers are bigger than others depending on the airline or what clas you are in.
The weight will be stated on your booking terms and conditions.
If you flight is full they will be very strict with this criteria. . . sometimes if the flight is half empty they may give you a bit of grace!
The BAA web site has some info on. . . . .
 
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