Lenses stolen from baggage - British Airways say 'tough, not our problem'.

[Mark Deeble]

I recommend that anyone carrying kit use plastic cable ties on their bags. It prevents rummaging! Keep this video in mind when packing high value gear.

There have been increasing reports of camera gear being stolen from JKIA recently on BA flights. If checking valuable items ( and we all have to occasionally ) I'd advise using pelicases and heavy padlocks ( not the FAA type) and cable ties. If using
soft bags then have them cling-wrapped. Most of the theft is opportunistic and happens to outgoing luggage. Inbound, there isn't so much time or opportunity.
There is a small RED community here but I would be surprised if the thief knows what he has got and finds anyone from that community to offer the lenses to. We'll keep a lookout but I wouldn't hold out much hope. Polé sana.

 

[Nick Morrison]

I've been monitoring this thread slowly, and it makes me really sad. As a rule, I've been packing most of my gear into carry on 1510s, but on a larger job you are going to HAVE to check something eventually. I guess zipties, padded locks, and plastic cling are the only ways to at least TRY and make sure gear won't get tampered with, at least slow them down enough to consider someone else's bag instead (all though on the flip side my fear is pelicans are a dead give away that something is valuable inside, no?).

Regardless. Very sorry for your loss. Many of us spend years building up our gear, it fits us like a glove, to have something stolen like this, so brazenly and w/out any recourse, must be maddening.

Wishing you much luck on some form of recovery.

 

[Patrick Tresch]

Here the usual battery practice. William is right : it´s a courtesy.

Pat

 

[Ted Parkes]

A couple years ago I had a Sony F800 body and a Fujinon Lens ( two separate cases ) go missing on a flight from Kenya. Pretty certain the gear never got to the plane. Interesting how security is so tight on the badges, being accounted for, being scanned but they can still go missing like that.

 

[T_Freundlich]

Interesting thread with lots of valid points... And sorry to hear of the OP's misfortune.

Just tell them if they would like to be liable for $30,000 to be checked baggage, they let you carry on.

This argument seems to come up often in these discussions, but wouldn't it be just as likely to work the other way around? I.e. the airline just making you release them from liability, which they can do at will, as evidenced by post 1 in this thread... After all, it's their plane.

Just flew out of Seoul, Korea a few days ago with 5 cases of checked gear on a respectable full-fare airline and the desk clerk wouldn't accept the items unless we signed a waiver releasing them from any damages in transit, on the grounds that these were 'high value items' (there you go again). First time I've had that happen.... What can you do but trust in your flight cases and insurance, and hope for the best. Does make you a bit edgy checking in your cases with CAMERA EQUIPMENT written in big red letters on the baggage tags though...
:-/

 

[Steve G]

All these links talk about checked in baggage, or single cameras as carry on (which become part of your carry on allowance) not camera bags. There is nothing that I have found that says camera bags are exempt from carry on limitations. To say that you can carry on a camera bag as well as a carry on bag or that somehow a camera bag is exempt from carry on restrictions is disingenuous.

Sure, we all push the rules, but the carry on rules are quite clear. On your own head be it.

 

[T_Freundlich]

All these links talk about checked in baggage, or single cameras as carry on (which become part of your carry on allowance) not camera bags. There is nothing that I have found that says camera bags are exempt from carry on limitations. To say that you can carry on a camera bag as well as a carry on bag or that somehow a camera bag is exempt from carry on restrictions is disingenuous.

In fact, this is exactly the case, though depends on the airline. For example Finnair:

http://www.finnair.com/FI/GB/information-services/baggage/carry-on-baggage

Carry-on baggage allowance

Business Class passengers and Finnair Plus Platinum, Gold and Silver members:
one piece of carry-on baggage and a laptop or briefcase
maximum combined weight 10 kg (22 lb.)

Other passengers:
one piece of carry-on baggage
maximum weight 8 kg (17.5 lb.)
infants without a reserved seat: no allowance


Size
maximum dimensions 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22 in x 18 in x 10 in)

In addition to the carry-on baggage, you may take a small handbag, a small camera bag, baby food, reading material, an overcoat or a necessary mobility aid (such as a cane or elbow crutches) on board.


Now of course what exactly is "small" in this case is again open to debate or the judgment of airline staff I guess....

 

[Ted Parkes]

In my case it was a back up body, I had one camera with me as carry on. And even then I had to beg to get it on board since it was a little larger and heavier then that airlines allowance. They actually made me go and speak with the Pilot to get his okay to bring it onboard. he took one look and said of course. Craziness

 

[Steve G]

In fact, this is exactly the case, though depends on the airline. For example Finnair:

http://www.finnair.com/FI/GB/information-services/baggage/carry-on-baggage

Carry-on baggage allowance

Business Class passengers and Finnair Plus Platinum, Gold and Silver members:
one piece of carry-on baggage and a laptop or briefcase
maximum combined weight 10 kg (22 lb.)

Other passengers:
one piece of carry-on baggage
maximum weight 8 kg (17.5 lb.)
infants without a reserved seat: no allowance


Size
maximum dimensions 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22 in x 18 in x 10 in)

In addition to the carry-on baggage, you may take a small handbag, a small camera bag, baby food, reading material, an overcoat or a necessary mobility aid (such as a cane or elbow crutches) on board.


Now of course what exactly is "small" in this case is again open to debate or the judgment of airline staff I guess....

Ok. So Finnair say that. What about the large international airlines ? And as you say, 1 small camera. As I said before, we all push the carry on limits, but there is no where that says we as the media can take a large camera bag and a carry on. We take the risk, for sure, but we can be tripped up, and there is no written legislation to back us up.

 

[Wes Howell]

Max 22 lbs… that's pretty rough.

I just packed a full RED kit in a cinebag and 6 Cine-Xenar III's in a soft case…so heavy… but definitely not checking them.

I guess the guidelines / weight is a bit more flexible in the states.

 

[Michael Jensen]

I've thought about putting stickers like these on my checked bags:

 

[Deon van Zyl]

As a general rule of thumb Michael, in Africa, anything that's not tied down, locked up, or guarded by Rottweilers, will walk away.

Guaranteed.

in Kinshasa, we used to go down to the street vendors to buy the parts that had been stolen from our vehicles the day before. Way of the world, TIA.

That's not to say you shouldn't go, what a stunningly amazing continent visually, cinematographer's dream come true. Just have to be prepared.

Grew up living by the word of TIA.
This thread BUMS me out so much.
Sorry for your loss.

D

 

[Peter Strietmann]

I recently flew Lufthansa and they do not have media rates for excess luggage. But when pushed they said if someone contacted them concerning my shoot in Germany they would honor media rates. I left feeling very confused. They were nice but very odd.

 

[Les Dittert]

When Lufthansa asked to weigh my cinebag I had no problem. It was almost double the allowed weight. I said it was an expensive camera, they looked, and promptly attached a tag saying such on my pack. No issue. They also had no issue checking my tripod as an extra bag, and did not charge for it.
This was flying couch also. Your mileage may vary ....

As far as strong Peli cases with padlocks : When you fly from the USA the TSA will cut those right off if they feel like it, inspect the contents, and put the thing on the plane in the unlocked state. So I don't see big locks helping in that case.

In response to Africa : No , I didn't care at all about walking on the runway from the 747, I rather enjoyed it. It's the whole modus operandi that I had issues with in the country. Starting with charging me double for the entry permit compared to my European friend that was with me. It became clear to me why the place is in the condition it is in after the trip. I am a world traveler and go too mostly poor places, so it's not like in a 'white shoe' city boy from the USA... far from it. But I digress .

 

[Ketch Rossi]

I have just shared what has worked for me for MANY years... I have been calling my CAMERA BAG... And that hasn't been a single time were they didn't know what I was talking about...


For those that have an argument about it... Called what ever you want... Do what ever you want... Not trying to forcing anyone here to do anything, just sharing...

 

[Michael Dalton]

As a general rule of thumb Michael, in Africa, anything that's not tied down, locked up, or guarded by Rottweilers, will walk away.

50+ trips to Kenya/Tanzania, nothing taken. But yes, If I left my gear, it would grow legs.

There have been increasing reports of camera gear being stolen from JKIA recently on BA flights. If checking valuable items ( and we all have to occasionally ) I'd advise using pelicases and heavy padlocks ( not the FAA type) and cable ties. If using
soft bags then have them cling-wrapped. Most of the theft is opportunistic and happens to outgoing luggage. Inbound, there isn't so much time or opportunity. Polé sana.

Mark, nice to see you weigh on this thread, and good hear it's only BA. I'll be through Kenya a lot in the year and half.

Nice to see your next project is on Epic. For the non-wildlife people on this thread, Mark and his partner Viki have made some incredible beautiful films over the years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUdilWPBR6o

 

[Mark Whatmore]

Thanks to everyone for your responses and sympathy. I shoot all over the world and spend so much time and energy trying to protect my kit from theft. The day of my flight I was shooting in Kibera in Nairobi, Africa's biggest slum - it seems crazy that I managed to get my kit safely through that environment and then lost in the ultra-secure world of international air travel.

But it's still hard to know what's best. Obviously taking the key items as hand baggage will protect them, but still some valuable kit has to go in the hold. I guess good insurance, locks and shrink wrap are the best we can do (but even then security (particularly TSA in the US) often like to have a look in checked bags.)

Anyway, despite the hassle and the loss Kenya is a fantastic place to shoot and it's all well worth it. Colombia and Peru next - fingers crossed.

 

[Dave Blackham]

I agree with Marks point. Ive never had anything stolen so far as I know in any area of the world rich or poor excepting one area, mislaid and not returned yes via crews. The one area I mention where kit goes missing is at airports in supposedly baggage handling areas.

Once I had a young lad run down the street after me in Bhutan to return a small item I had left on the street when filming and had forgoten to pick it up. He was very poor and I didn't know him at all but he was honest and helpful. Goes to show peoples honesty and values. Yet I go to Heathrow and Miami airports and expect kit to go missing or damaged virtually every time….

 

[Daniel Peters]

Probably heard it enough now, but really sorry to hear this man.

Hope your insurance company can sort everything out stress free

 

[D Anderson]