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Traveling via Airplane with Cameras, first time question

Steve DiMaggio

Steve DiMaggio

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I am flying from jfk to san diego to shoot a wedding, basically I just want to bring my cameras, both are identical builds but different brains. Epic-W, Gem, Vlock i/o, dsmc2 side handle with wooden grips, 7" cf monitors, wood gdu handles, manfrotto trippod cleates, wooden camera cold mounts

Is there anything that could be in issue? Also I have this ape case that fits everything perfect but is right on the edge of being too big, can someone recommend a case or bag that will be good for carry on, I will be flying jet blue mint if that makes any difference at all

steve
 
Actually I'm flying out next month so I have a similar question (but I'll start a new thread so I don't hijack yours).

My plan so far is to carry on everything that I can (Camera, lenses, batteries which are 98 wh) and I will have my tripod and slider in my backpack (if they check it, so be it).


I'm thinking I'm going to pick up a pelican 1535 or something similar. That seems to be everyones go to for carry on.


What I have heard is that batteries have to be 100 w/h or less and no more than two batteries per person so you have to split them up.
 
Sterling Williams said:
Actually I'm flying out next month so I have a similar question (but I'll start a new thread so I don't hijack yours).

My plan so far is to carry on everything that I can (Camera, lenses, batteries which are 98 wh) and I will have my tripod and slider in my backpack (if they check it, so be it).


I'm thinking I'm going to pick up a pelican 1535 or something similar. That seems to be everyones go to for carry on.


What I have heard is that batteries have to be 100 w/h or less and no more than two batteries per person so you have to split them up.
Click to expand...
If the batteries are under 100 watt/hours...you can carry as many as fit in your bag...but from 101 to a limit of 160, two per person.
 
so carry on bags, what do you recommend?

steve
 
I recommend the biggest carry on allowable Think Tank. I have been flying all over the world with my gear. I usually have the brain, my 2 Angenieux Style zooms, the Sigma Cine 18-35, Tokina 11-16, 7" touch, my mags and a crapload of batteries. all accessories go in the other checked in cases. I make sure I have enough gear to shoot bare bones in my carry on, should they loose all my baggage. Thankfully that have never happened yet. The Think Tank, as it looks like regular baggage, raises no questions. I have had friends with Peli's being asked to gate check them...
 
Scot Yount said:
If the batteries are under 100 watt/hours...you can carry as many as fit in your bag...but from 101 to a limit of 160, two per person.
Click to expand...

Well.. I just got a bunch of 95W Blueshape GRANITE mini batteries taken from me on an transitt airport.. It’s an insurance thing now, but it sucked comming to the remote location in Uruguay whitout any batteries... :/
Don’t think I’ll relly on bringing batteries again..
 
I just traveled to Canada last weekend and had zero issues with my think tank airporter carry on that weighed in at 68lbs! lol
I had 2 Brains, 3 lenses, 6x DJI TB50's, 6x CoreSWX HC9 mini V mounts, 4X mavic pro Batteries and controller, 6x AA batteries, 2x Amimon connex batteries, 3x mags, 2x LaCie Rugged RAIDs, ipad mini, iPad pro, macbook pro and the charger and no one had an issue.
The trick is when they ask you to gate check your bag, you tell them you have lithium batteries and they will immediately tell you to bring it on the plane. Before when I told them I had expensive camera gear....they didn't give a shit. But batteries... they won't risk anything.

However, I did make the mistake of not checking the "traveling with commercial goods" box at the immigration kiosk. When I was exiting customs the officer questioned why I had so many pelican cases and did not check the box. I simply said, "the way it read on the kiosk was if I was traveling with commercial good with the intent to sell." I said it's camera equipment but I am not selling it. She said check that commercial goods box next time.
 
Cameron McKinlay said:
I just traveled to Canada last weekend and had zero issues with my think tank airporter carry on that weighed in at 68lbs! lol
I had 2 Brains, 3 lenses, 6x DJI TB50's, 6x CoreSWX HC9 mini V mounts, 4X mavic pro Batteries and controller, 6x AA batteries, 2x Amimon connex batteries, 3x mags, 2x LaCie Rugged RAIDs, ipad mini, iPad pro, macbook pro and the charger and no one had an issue.
The trick is when they ask you to gate check your bag, you tell them you have lithium batteries and they will immediately tell you to bring it on the plane. Before when I told them I had expensive camera gear....they didn't give a shit. But batteries... they won't risk anything.

However, I did make the mistake of not checking the "traveling with commercial goods" box at the immigration kiosk. When I was exiting customs the officer questioned why I had so many pelican cases and did not check the box. I simply said, "the way it read on the kiosk was if I was traveling with commercial good with the intent to sell." I said it's camera equipment but I am not selling it. She said check that commercial goods box next time.
Click to expand...

what model, I ended up ordering one

steve
 
Steve DiMaggio said:
what model, I ended up ordering one

steve
Click to expand...

This guy
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1269749-REG/think_tank_photo_572_airport_security_v3_0_carry.html/?c3ch=CSE&c3nid=98

I have V2.0 and it is a SOLID bag! This bag has been to over 150 cities in 33 countries and counting and I have NEVER had an issue nor had to replace the wheels. The backpack feature is nice as well for those situations where its not a smooth surface for rolling...or snow :)

I would also recommend getting the laptop sleeve as well. Super handy

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/859443-REG/Think_Tank_584_Artificial_Intelligence_15_V3_0.html/pageID/accessory

I fit my macbook pro in the main slot. 12.9" ipad pro in the back slot. ipad mini and 2 samsung T5's in the front zipper and the whole thing goes in the elastic sleeve on the front of the Airport security bag.
This bag couldn't of been designed any better.
 
John David Pope said:
Does this operate on the honor-system only?
Click to expand...

It operates on the IQ of the TSA agent you get stuck with.
Flying to Canada, the TSA didn't even look at the Wh of the batteries. On the return flight, the CBP agent specifically looked for the Wh's on the label.
 
John David Pope said:
Does this operate on the honor-system only?
Click to expand...

Cameron is right...the IQ is what you are at the mercy of...I have printed out the regs and keep them in my bag. So far I have had no problems...but I have heard horror stories...
Cuz...some TSA peeps apparently can't read. The best thing to do is get TSA Precheck...everything is way easier...about 85 bucks...worth every cent. They just screw with you less.
 
Last edited:
hello,
i don’t know for you guys but my concern is always the weight of the carry-on bag itself.
Bag and gear inside must be 7 kg max (16 lbs). So i try to use a very light bag at first and i put the batteries and all
the expensive and fragile gear only inside.It is better to be 2 people on trip to double the
allowed weight. Sometimes the weight of the bag and gears is not controlled. However i remember me
having problems in Brisbane airport with Emirates airlines.Happily it is allowed to have the main bag and a smaller one for the computer.This last one is never weighted so i let you guess how heavy is mine...
My bag is the F-Stop Ajna.Tripod and head are inside own bag in the hold and wrapped with bullpack . I use a lot of bullpack because it is the lightest system to protect the gear.For the batteries it is what has been said.
 
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