have you really checked a pelican case on a plane??

[ronocnikral]

I perused some threads on pelican cases, didn't really see anyone mentioning if they have checked a pelican case before. A lot of complaints about it not really being water proof, talk about running over it by trucks, so on and so forth...

I am thinking about getting the 1510 w/ dividers as we have a wedding to shoot in utah and I am sick of lugging around 3 different packs for all our gear. The 1510 ($180 on ebay w/ dividers) seems much more economical than a think tank.

So, has any one checked their pelican case with their gear? And if you have or do, do you sleep during the flight? I am more worried about the case being thrown around (subjected to shock loads) than other crap being stacked on top of it.

PS, we won't be able to carry it on because we are flying in a canadair regional jet.

[lleyva]

Need an assistant?

[PeteQ]

I have checked my Pelicans on several occasions with absolutely no problems. I use a TSA lock and a small easily breakable zip tie so I know if it has been opened. Buy the multi-colored packs, not foolproof but it's just one simple way to know if your case has been opened. Mine have never been opened, only sent through the scanner.

For the best shock protection the foam inserts that you custom cut are best and those are in my large Pelican (I have three sets of foam for different configurations) but in my small pelican I use dividers for a touch of extra space on a day to day basis.

I also picked up a Think Tank Airport Ultralight (the older version) and it fits inside my Pelican 1510. I lose a little capacity but I get the travel protection of the Pelican and the on location portability of a backpack. This has kind of become my standard travel set up.

[ronocnikral]

Great. Let's switch the question. Has anyone ever carried the 1510 on to a plane? Does it fit in the overhead of a 737-300 or A320??

[Patti]

I've carried it on a small regional jet with no problem

[ilove2eatcake]

i've carried my pelican on board and checked it in with no problems. it does get heavy (for me at least) when all your gear is in it. when i checked it in i locked it with a TSA certified lock. it was never opened. i think if they have to open it they'll just cut the lock off. one great thing is that if you're waiting outside at the airport for a cab, the pelican is strong enough to sit on!

[ronocnikral]

we just got ours yesterday and it was a bit smaller than we were hoping. It is heavy once you get all your gear in it. We actually had a tough time getting it all in there, between 3 camera bodies, a 70-200mm, 180mm, 16-35mm, 28-70mm, 28-135mm, two gary fongs, 2 flashes, filters and lens hoods...there wasn't enough room. I had to leave the macro 180mm, lens hoods and a camera body, but everything else made it in. not enough room for our 5in1 42" reflector though. The lid organizer was pricey ($30), but i think worth it!

When we pick up another camera body (2 if we ever do the IR conversion i dream about routinely), we will unfortunately need another 1510. and I can stand on it (hacen't tried sitting yet)!!! we're happy with the purchase, but another one is needed...already. fortunately, there are two of us, unfortunately, they aren't free.

As I used to fly A LOT, I agree that the 1510 will fit on most regional jets.

[Marv800]

I've checked my 1550 several times on a plane. Also it does quite well against impact damage. Mine has been through WW III and back a few times and the underwater photo/video equipment I transported in it never suffered a nick... that is, until an o-ring burst during a dive and smoked a few thousand $ in equipment

[janikphoto]

I've checked pelican cases before. It was always fine.

[RightAngle]

I have used Pelican cases for years for both Audio/Video gear and Photography. I travel with two 1610s that I carry on and a 1620 that I check. For AV stuff the cases are on and off of trucks and take beatings day in and day out with no problems. Occasionally a wheel comes off or something but those cases get ABUSED on the road.

I have to say I have been extremely happy with all the cases I own. If I'm going to have stuff in a hard case they are the only option I will consider.

[hieuu@comcast.net]

Pelican's are great 1650's are what i like, make sure your well insured cause luggage lost is more or a concern than damage

[84young]

very durable cases, and you dont have to worry about shock worry with your gear. If Marines cant break the photo/ video gear while the case is packed right, then you have no worries at all. and we threw the packed case on our concrete floor and the kits were fine. What i like to call a duribility check

[Tom]

I am thinking about getting a 1510 for travel.

Do you think I would be able to pack:
300mm 2.8
70-200
24-105
5D2+grip
7D+grip
135L
35L

What about laptop? I'm guessing there is no good place to keep it in there.

Currently, I use a Rolling CompuTrekker Plus AW.
Lowepro - Rolling CompuTrekker Plus AW

I've easily packed in it:
2 bodies
300 2.8
70-200
24-70
10-20
150mm 2.8
2 flashes
3 pocket wizards
15" MBP+power cord
2 chargers
Lots O' Batteries

While it fits in the overhead, I don't think it meets the guidelines for carry-on. I'm gonna die the day they make me gate check it.

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

So, has any one checked their pelican case with their gear?

No, but if you'll send one over with a reasonable amount of gear and round-trip tickets to a few specific destinations, I'll give it a shot.

If you want it back afterwards, I'll have to charge you for that.

[Daniel W.]

From personal experience, I've gotten the 1510 on a 737 without issue, but if it's a packed flight, it's usually the first to go for gate check due to it's appearance as a "check-safe case." As far as checking gear, it's a losing battle on the weight limit with Pelicans because the case can suck up a large bit (specifically with the 1510, 15lbs!). It'd be easier to ship at that rate, or use a Lightware case. I've also seen the latches bust open under a few extremes (cold weather+Pelican's older latch design+ridiculous toss from plane to tarmac), and a few normal conditions (older cases). The cases from HPRC have a better 2-step latch (think instrument case latches, except beefier) that I prefer if you must check.

Thomas, if you're ever in my part of town (CL) you're free to try mine out but I'm going to try to equate what you have to how I pack mine. With the lid foam, there's no way of getting any notebook in there. I've never managed to get a 15" MBPro inside, a 13" is possible with a lighter load of gear. I can fit a small 10" netbook, again with less gear inside and a squeeze on the lid that makes me uncomfortable.

300mm 2.8 = Sigma 120-300, fits (the Sigma is an inch longer and I can get it in with the hood too).

70-200 = 70-200 2.8 non IS, fits. Without hood leaves room to stack items (batteries, etc).

24-105 = not too sure, a bit iffy. I have my 17-40 sans hood, which is just as wide but a bit shorter.

5D2+grip = 30D+grip, fits, but will press up against the lid foam.
7D+grip = 5D, same case as the 5D2. (The inch you gain with the 300 vs. 120-300 should make up for any body-size discrepancies)

135L (hoods and filter?, close to 5") = 85 1.8 (3") + 50/1.8 (2") (stacked, no hoods on either)

35L = 35L, fits, No hood).