TSA Hack - How to Check in Camera gear without fear of Losing them

[Rson]

Originally Posted by snydersnapshots

All the TSA and security issues aside, as someone working in the airline business for 20+ years, my recommendation is to carry camera equipment on if at all possible. During preflight inspections I've seen quite a few bags or boxes that have fallen off the belt loader at the side of the airplane. It doesn't happen on a regular basis, but it does happen. I'm six feet tall and the bottom of the cargo door on the Boeing 757 is about four feet above my head. In short, if you're not comfortable climbing on the roof of your house and dropping your equipment on the lawn, it's probably not packed well enough to check...

My suggestion for making the carry-on a little easier:

Check in early, get a seat in the back half of the airplane (unless you're flying first class, that is ), and board at the first opportunity. Since most airlines board from the back to the front, if you're seat is toward the back, you should be able to get on before all the overhead bin space is used up. If you get on after all the bins are full, they'll gate-check your bag and it'll go in the cargo hold--and you'll have to pick it up at baggage claim.

Oh, and if you have someting like a D700 or D3 and I'm flying the trip, feel free to store it in the cockpit--I'll take great care of it during the flight!

Good help......but those damn MD-80 motors are so loud.
I fly with status so I am on first and beat others to the compartments. As for packing, I always pack for a overnight...usual toiletry's and fresh cloths. Usually sweats. I go stuck in New York in a suit and nothing else. Brat kid knocked a coke on me so I was sticky and gross for the 6 am flight home. SUCKED.

[Angelo]

I've flown some 10 trips this year with about 40 lbs of camera equipment. I specifically purchased the Airport International "Think Tank" (on wheels) because it can handle most cameras and lenses. The incidentals I put inside my checked bags.

The Think Tank will fit comfortably overhead and believe it or not it will also fit underneath most aircraft seats. I've even stowed it underneath the seat on a commuter airline where it would not fit in the overhead compartment.

Ken also gives some good advice to ask for rear seats since they board the plane first, which gives you more time to find the overhead space.

The only thing I do not take as carry-on is my tripod. It goes in my checked luggage (always a problems since it takes away 6 lbs from my luggage), and that's because I don't want to chance the TSA refusing to allow it and it'd be too late to check it in for the flight.

Has anyone had any problems taking their tripods as carry-on?

[Angelo]

I am resurrecting this thread because I'd like to know if anyone has had any problems taking their tripod as a carry-on on aircrafts, and have they encountered any problems going through the TSA checkpoints.
My check-in bag is getting kind of overloaded and going over 50 lb.

[dmora]

Originally Posted by Rson

Good help......but those damn MD-80 motors are so loud.
I fly with status so I am on first and beat others to the compartments. As for packing, I always pack for a overnight...usual toiletry's and fresh cloths. Usually sweats. I go stuck in New York in a suit and nothing else. Brat kid knocked a coke on me so I was sticky and gross for the 6 am flight home. SUCKED.

When did it become unethical to beat a kid for being a brat.... :( Should have slapped the sh|t out of that little crotch spawn.

i miss the "good 'ol days".