p.5 #1 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
DavidBM wrote:
Those are the rules with Qantas, and there’s some chance they will apply them, but I’ve only once or twice in many hundreds of flights, internationally and domestic with them (and Air NZ) had my carry on weighed.
Were you over the limit and if so, what did you do? I'm finding that more airlines are starting to weigh carryon's on a more regular basis...possibly a sign of what will be the norm in the future. I too have flown millions of miles and if I go back 40 years and count up the flights and the number of times I had my carryon weighed...yeh it is a very small fraction. But if I look back at the last 5 years...that fraction is much larger.
p.5 #2 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
chez wrote:
Were you over the limit and if so, what did you do? I'm finding that more airlines are starting to weigh carryon's on a more regular basis...possibly a sign of what will be the norm in the future. I too have flown millions of miles and if I go back 40 years and count up the flights and the number of times I had my carryon weighed...yeh it is a very small fraction. But if I look back at the last 5 years...that fraction is much larger.
Agreed the fraction is larger than it was, but is still very small with Qantas. So far I have always been able to talk my way out of it (sometimes with some token moving of stuff; the weighing if it happens has so far with them taken place where I still have access to check-in, so if you move a token non-photo thing from the carry on into that they won't re-weigh and wave you on.)
Of course I agree it may get worse over time. Of course inflation adjusted fares have also dropped massively in the last twenty years!
p.5 #3 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
Charlie N wrote:
my BIL had a 20000MAH with check in luggage, it had to be removed and brought with carry on. It could be a new thing, but it was pretty strict at the airports I boarded recently, weight especially. In the past, I never had my carry on weighed, and twice recently. I travel with a big family so my kids had nothing carried on, so it worked out, but it's annoying to know that it's so strict these days. Gone are the days of a carry on tripod.
This isn't anything new; large lithium batteries have been verboten in checked bags for a long time as they can start fires. Posters here are now seeing batteries of a certain size even being denied carry-on.
p.5 #4 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
On a recent trip back from London my carry on was weighed at the gate and a year ago it was weighed in Paris by Air France. As other said it seems to be becoming much more frequent.
p.5 #5 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
We can't complain too much, the aviation industry moves billions each year and a recent year - 2017 - was the safest ever. At Qantas request, Boeing's new s/w anticipates turbulence and the 787 handles CAT and monsoons really well. That one also pumps fresh air into the cabin, which is pressurised to 1800m, down from 2400m.
Qantas has never suffered a hull loss, and is the 2nd oldest airline in the world. Most issues show up first in Australia's clear skies and huge distances. Try to fly in new aircraft, no matter the size of them.
p.5 #6 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
Charlie N wrote:
my BIL had a 20000MAH with check in luggage, it had to be removed and brought with carry on. It could be a new thing, but it was pretty strict at the airports I boarded recently, weight especially. In the past, I never had my carry on weighed, and twice recently. I travel with a big family so my kids had nothing carried on, so it worked out, but it's annoying to know that it's so strict these days. Gone are the days of a carry on tripod.
Yes that's right Charlie. Rechargers are no different to batteries and MUST be carried in hand luggage.
A lot depends on the airline. Just back a few hours ago from Europe and no issue with weight (or having bags weighed) with Etihad (business), Easyjet (priority boarding), Eurowings (economy), BA (economy) or Croatian Airlines (business). None of them looked twice at my two hand luggage bags (one more than allowed in economy).
p.5 #7 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
elizabeth77 wrote:
Hey all, updating from transiting through Beijing three times last month (and many thanks to @Frogfish@ and @dshao1@ for the tips!).
EVERY time, all of my camera gear was unpacked at security. I mean a full Think Tank roller with 2 bodies and six lenses plus drone and controller, I had to pull it all out and put it in bins. Last time through this happened at main security AND at the gate while boarding (and I am United Global and was flying business). This is where I am super thankful I took the roller as it's a very swift unpack and repack.
I was also challenged on "do you have any batteries or chargers?" at which I just handed over my charger/power bank organizer and lipo bag of drone batteries. Only once did security check the size of power banks (2x 10000 mah, thanks again Kevin!). Interestingly the drone and its batteries got the least questioning. My drone is in a Domke wrap and I was never asked to unwrap it. (DJI obviously a big Chinese company and recreational drones very common.) I have found that the lipo bag seems to keep airport security everywhere pretty calm so is useful even though totally unnecessary
I had two travel companions with 20000 mah power banks who were not challenged at PEK, but I would be careful and for certain allow plenty of time for all this fun at security. Everyone I ran into this trip had had all their gear unpacked.
Note that I had both a Prvke backpack and the TT roller and both went in cabin no problem including between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar on Air China. Nothing was weighed or had to be checked (I already had a checked bag of clothing, price I paid for the gear roller).
However, on regional Mongolia flights (MIAT and Aero Mongolia), everything was weighed and I (and every other traveler) had to pay overage for both in-cabin (5 kg limit) and check-in (12 kg limit). Paying the overage (low money) meant keeping my gear in cabin, well worth it. Since it's high season for photogs in the country I'm sure the airlines do really well here right now
All nin all not too bad but good to be prepared ...Show more →
Glad it went smoothly Elizabeth.
BJ (and Tianjin - a city next to BJ) is always more of a pain than Shanghai (where I live). We went off to Europe last month and I didn't have to unpack anything, even my large pack of batteries in my backpack, flying out from Shanghai Pudong. We'll see how it goes when off to Australia this November
Of course BJ will have been at an even higher alert this past month for the current 70th Anniversary celebrations and that may have impacted some.
p.5 #8 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
I'm flying from San Diego to Milan in a few hours. My camera bag is a little heavy with the laptop in it. I am flying first class, so I hope no one weighs it.
p.5 #9 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
1bwana1 wrote:
I'm flying from San Diego to Milan in a few hours. My camera bag is a little heavy with the laptop in it. I am flying first class, so I hope no one weighs it.
I've never had carry-ons weighed on an international flight originating in the US. Definitely not in first or business where I have also never had a bag sized. You should be ok! Hope the trip goes well.
p.5 #10 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
1bwana1 wrote:
I'm flying from San Diego to Milan in a few hours. My camera bag is a little heavy with the laptop in it. I am flying first class, so I hope no one weighs it.
When flying Business or First (or even Priority Economy) none of the airlines give a monkey's .. you've paid your dues already
p.5 #11 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
If your checked bags are a little over weight then they are more likely going to check your hand luggage.
I usually always have my hand luggage’s bit overweight, I’m better now, but when when it comes to lenses. I usually take too many... So I have weight issues. My way around weight issues is to always carry a rain and a fleece jacket (with lots of pockets for lenses and batteries), no matter if I’m going to a hot place! I place lenses in backpack and use jacket as a pillow or to keep warm on a cold plane.
I know this isn’t ideal and I often find the process stressful. But I like lenses and if an overweight person can get a free ride, then few extra lenses can too.
p.5 #12 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
Last year flying back from Dublin we had to switch planes in Zurich - the guy weighted everyones hand luggage - wouldn't mind if I wasn't with 3kids that all together weigh as much as I alone and their tickets were the same price as mine...
Cheers, A.
Charlie N wrote:
my BIL had a 20000MAH with check in luggage, it had to be removed and brought with carry on. It could be a new thing, but it was pretty strict at the airports I boarded recently, weight especially. In the past, I never had my carry on weighed, and twice recently. I travel with a big family so my kids had nothing carried on, so it worked out, but it's annoying to know that it's so strict these days. Gone are the days of a carry on tripod.
p.5 #13 · International travel and fitting cameras in carry on
Yeah, I'm not too worried about the US. This trip on the way out we have to change planes in Amsterdam. We will enter the EU there, so if there are issues that is where where it will be. Returning is direct from Milan to U.S..
I didn't want to haul the 100-400mm GM, but Dolomite images often benefit from long focal lengths, so it is in the bag. The way these things usually work out, I will likely never use it. Except for that lense my whole kit is pretty light thanks to the switch to Sony. I can hand carry the laptop, so if they want to weigh I will remove it. Still will be a little over I am guessing.
I am counting on our Delta 360 status (highest they have) to protect me in case of issues.
