All,
I am off to Goa next week and am taking my 500/4 with a 1D MKIIn. Has anyone on the list had any problem with taking their photo gear on board when flying from UK airports.
I am flying with a charter airline (First Choice) and they have the ridiculously low hand baggage allowance of 5KG.
I am using a LowePro Computer Trekker AW and with just a 40D (without grip) attached to the Canon 500/4 and nothing else in the bag this weighs 7kg. So only God knows what I am gonna do with the laptop, spare batteries, chargers other lenses etc.
I would appreciate to hear what other experiences UK photographers have had recently when trying to get their gear on board.
Cheers
I've taken my 600mm f4 to Finland and Shetland so far as hand luggage, using a specially made canvas bag with shoulder strap. I place jumpers and the like round the lens as padding. By using a soft bag it fits (just) into the maximum dimensions. Camera bodies and converters go into coat pockets and the tripod has to go in the main luggage. I'm sure that it's over 5kg though, I'm not sure what can be done about that. I would recommend using a coat or jacket with lots of pockets to stuff cameras and other bits and pieces in, it's not very comfortable but that weight doesn't seem to count! Can't help with the laptop, I've never taken one of those on a plane. I hope you get there though, Goa is great. I wish I'd had my current gear when I visited in 99.
In October I did a transatlantic trip on Virgin Atlantic flights carrying my Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II. No hassle from anyone.