If it exceeds weight, can you just pay to have it on or what happens?
Truthfully, I've never flown with as much gear as I plan on taking to Florida soon. 2 cameras, 2 lenses, a flash or two, battery chargers, and spare batteries.
Case, padded dividers, 2 bodies, 24-70, 70-200 (which I may leave behind and just take 16-35 and 24-70), 2 580EXIIs, and the chargers for the 2 bodies.
I've yet to have a domestic flight ever check for weight restrictions - then again, I pretty much only fly Delta, and I'm elite (60+ flights a year) with them, so maybe I get away with more?
Otherwise, only out of Seoul, Korea did I have carry-on's weighed.
Just be prepared to check it in the belly if you have to. Being a hard sided Pelican, there are no worries. But if the plane is full by the time you get on, you may have to belly it.
Hammy wrote:
I've yet to have a domestic flight ever check for weight restrictions - then again, I pretty much only fly Delta, and I'm elite (60+ flights a year) with them, so maybe I get away with more?
Otherwise, only out of Seoul, Korea did I have carry-on's weighed.
Just be prepared to check it in the belly if you have to. Being a hard sided Pelican, there are no worries. But if the plane is full by the time you get on, you may have to belly it.
Isn't the belly where the handlers like rob the shit out of you?
It'll be fine in an overhead unless you're on a smaller, regional type aircraft. I travel with mine a bunch, loaded to the gills. I also carry zip ties with me in case I have to gate check it for some reason (mostly just to make sure it can't accidently open somehow).
RobertLynn wrote:
Isn't the belly where the handlers like rob the sh*t out of you?
YMMV - I've taken 50-60 flights a year for the past 4-5+ years. All of my outbound and final legs are on regionals where I have to gate check one of my pelicans. My other pelican is checked at the counter and rides in the belly every time.
Never had a problem.
I'm not saying that you will have to, need to or want to put it down under - just be prepared to - it happens.
Unless you're putting lead bricks inside, I have a hard time imagining how you can stuff enough gear inside to overload it.
The 1510 itself weighs about 12 pounds. Add an extra pound for dividers/foam. I managed to put the following inside:
5D2 @ 810g
24-105/4L IS @ 670g
70-200/2.8L IS I @ 1470g
85/1.8 @ 425g
100/2.8L macro IS @ 625g
300/2.8L IS @ 2550g
EF 1.4x II @ 220g
430 EX II @ 330g
PW TT5 (2) @ 215g
Ext tubes @ 245g
AA batteries (8) @ 230g
Total contents = 7790g = 17.2 lb.
Now add the case weight and that's just a bit over 30 pounds total, and I could not squeeze anything else inside. I suppose if you replaced some stuff with more bodies and heavier glass, you might get closer to the 40 pound carry-on limit on some carriers. Apparently, the FAA does not specify a size or weight limit but leaves that to be set by individual airlines. However, most airlines state that the sum of the length, width, and height of any carry-on item must not exceed 45 linear inches. The 1510 has dimensions 22" + 13.8" + 9", which comes in at just shy of 45".
Smaller planes may not have enough overhead space. So always be prepared to have your gear checked at the gate and placed in the cargo hold.
Strangely, the way the size limit is specified means you could (in theory) carry on a box 15" x 15" x 15" which has a total volume of 3375 cubic inches--23.5% more than the Pelican 1510, which has exterior volume of only 2732 cubic inches.
im with wicker. I fly all the time with different gear stored in the 1510. From bodies/lens combos to strobe heads/extension cords. Both domestic and international and I havent had a problem. Just dont act like it weighs a ton.
I just traveled on a regional Embraer jet and had the 1510 in the overhead bin without a problem. You have to be careful on the smaller planes with the seats in a 3-2 configuration. The 1510 will fit in the bins above the 3 seats but not over the two seats, The secret is to find an empty bin ASAP and load your 1510 even though you may wind up sitting several rows behind it,
I recently took a Pelican 1600 on some SouthWest flights as carry on without any problems. Albeit, a large 737-700 series plane. Pelican case and my camera back pack were both carry on items and fit in the overhead compartments no problem. Pelican case weighed ~35 lbs. Lowepro Rolling computrekker weighed in @ 47lbs, just 3 lbs shy of the limit!
I don't see why a 1510 wouldn't be allowed as carry on.
[edit]
If you are on a puddle jumper, have no fear in gate checking your pelican case. It receives far less abuse than checking your bags in @ the ticket counter. I have gate checked my pelican 1600 on twin prop planes for connecting flights!
I use a 1510 and have carried it multiple times on domestic flights around Australia.
The dimensions aren't a problem. It's the weight. We have a 7kg overhead luggage limit (not including laptop, handbag, coat) and my case fully loaded can vary between 20-25kg.
Aslong as I can get past the bag check-in ok, then I just have to get through boarding un-noticed which is a lot easier. Just have to be confident and make it appear not a heavy nuisance. Buy my god there are some 'nazis' at check in sometimes, that will make you weight it and then tell you to check it in or remove items to lighten it.
One woman made me remove all my bodies and lenses until the empty case plus a few small accessories was just over 7kg. Then told me I could take it on and threatened that I better not put everything back inside it once I went through security. I smiled and played along, and once through security it all went back in.
