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international carry on

Flowernut
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · international carry on

going to europe. they say carryon limited to 8KG. Have original Chobe bag and need to carry on laptop, ipad, r5 and 24-240 lens and other important items prescriptions, lithium batteries, glasses, etc.. I guess backup body and another lens in checked bag. Chobe weighs 2.1 lb. Any suggestions?

Jun 03, 2024 at 08:11 PM

jwpstl
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · international carry on

I would never put a camera or lens in a checked bag…unless you don’t mind it arriving damaged…assuming it arrives at all. Do you even need a backup body?

Jun 03, 2024 at 11:10 PM

johnvanr
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · international carry on

Sounds like you’re fine, just about. You can put small stuff in your jacket. They generally go more by size than weight unless the planes are small and full.

Jun 04, 2024 at 12:08 AM

EverLearning
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · international carry on

I have flown to Europe a number of times. I have never had a problem taking my tote bag (personal stuff) and a camera bag. Whenever I have checked their carry-on allowances, all medical devices (like CPAP) are excluded from the count. One carry-on item plus a purse or camera bag or laptop bag are allowed. My camera bag (usually in the 12-15lb range) goes up top and the personal bag goes in front of the feet. Worth noting, I have only once travelled by air with my larger camera bag (one that can accommodate a large lens like a 500mm lens, and my other gear) and that was to Africa. I had no problem with the larger bag internationally either (IIRC, it was 16 or 17lbs) but my friend and I split the cost of an extra seat purchase so that we could get our equipment on the hopper flight within Tanzania.

I don't know what airline you are flying, but read their carry-on limitations carefully. You may not have any problem.

Jun 04, 2024 at 10:13 AM

Abuttolph
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · international carry on

I would not put any camera gear in checked luggage. Checked luggage gets really battered and there is also the possibility of theft.

You should be fine with your camera gear in one bag and your personal items in another. Are you limited to 8kg total or combined for two carry-on bags?

When traveling to Europe, I have never had my carry-on bags weighed in the US. The only times that my carry-on bags were weighed were on Qatar Airways leaving Brussels for Africa, and then returning to Europe from Africa on that same trip.

Jun 04, 2024 at 10:22 AM

Pouncer
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · international carry on

I have flown to Europe several times in recent years, with a carry on suitcase and Lowepro camera backpack. Neither has ever been weighed for a trans-Atlantic flight. I don't even know what the weight limits are for international flights. I think you're fine there, if flying on one of the major airlines.

Budget airlines (particularly those operating within Europe) are stricter, but even so I doubt a standard sized backpack will be weighed. I have been forced to check my carry on suitcase a few times because of its size, but never its weight.

As mentioned, if your backpack is too heavy, put something in your jacket or wear your camera around your neck.

Jun 04, 2024 at 11:07 AM

Flowernut
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · international carry on

most of the time I fly business class but the cost of that has really shot up. Only time I've had a problem was with british air. I picked an older agent who passed me but a second agent tried to stop me. The first one spoke up and I got on to "ask" the stewardess if it was ok. She didn't care as long as I got seated quickly.

Normally (US canada, etc) I'll have the think tank international (UP ARMORED WITH LEXAN AND CLOSED CELL FOAM to valet check if necessary plane side on small planes) roll aboard with big white canon lens and other stuff. Typically weighs 25-35 lb. The chobe with r5, 24-105, 100-500, computer lap top and misc. Not sure what it weighs but i'd guess more than 8KG.

On 18 day tour and I want to keep luggage to a minimum say a checked suit case and chobe.

Looks like Swiss Air or Austrian are my only choices really. Maybe Lufthansa with a long bus ride to get to airport in Germany.
Prefer united as I'm in their silver group.

Jun 04, 2024 at 01:01 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · international carry on

Flowernut wrote:
Looks like Swiss Air or Austrian are my only choices really. Maybe Lufthansa with a long bus ride to get to airport in Germany.
Prefer united as I'm in their silver group.

I think it will depend on your airline options. If you're really concerned about carry-on restrictions, then try to fly United, or another US or Canadian carrier, because they generally have the same restrictions on international flights as they do for domestic - often no weight limit (as long as you can lift it) and the usual one carry-on ~9x14x22" and a personal item (laptop bag or similar). The European carriers all have greater restrictions but whether they enforce them effectively... But of course, to be sure, check the airline's baggage policy.

In this case it doesn't sound like you're bringing a huge photo kit and I don't really think you have a lot to be concerned about. Pick the airline that best suits your travel requirements.

For something like a moderately sized photo backpack, if you're over their weight limit you can usually just remove some of the gear, carry it separately, then repack it on the plane. For example, carry the R5 with largest lens attached around the neck or over the shoulder. As already suggested, a coat with generous pockets is also an option. This might be one of the few remaining arguments in favor of the traditional photo vest. Stuff it full and walk on board.

But I don't think you will need to resort to that extreme.

Jun 04, 2024 at 01:54 PM

bjhurley
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · international carry on

rscheffler wrote:
The European carriers all have greater restrictions but whether they enforce them effectively... But of course, to be sure, check the airline's baggage policy.

I'll vouch for this. We have carry-on bags that have been allowed as carry-on on North American flights but we were required to check them on flights to (or from) Europe. Anything with roller wheels is a risk no matter how small, it seems, and even if it's a soft bag vs. hard case. We mainly fly to France when we go to Europe; in one case the same carrier allowed us to carry on both bags from Canada to Paris but then when we returned home they made us check one of those same bags. It's hard to predict.

Jun 04, 2024 at 03:16 PM

Flowernut
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · international carry on

all north American airline choices to Geneva are code shares with a European airline.

Jun 04, 2024 at 03:27 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · international carry on

Flowernut wrote:
all north American airline choices to Geneva are code shares with a European airline.

It's a nice, long train ride from Munich!

Flights might be code share but you have to determine what carrier it's actually on, which should be evident in search results.

I guess your preference, and I wouldn't blame you, is a direct flight? I don't know where you're located but would you consider a domestic feeder flight to a direct flight on a US or Canadian carrier?

Here in Canada it appears Air Canada has daily direct flights to Geneva from Montreal...
In the US, United has direct flights from Newark and Dulles. Swiss flies daily out of JFK and you will certainly be subject to their carry-on restrictions.

bjhurley wrote:
We mainly fly to France when we go to Europe; in one case the same carrier allowed us to carry on both bags from Canada to Paris but then when we returned home they made us check one of those same bags. It's hard to predict.

Perhaps the carrier was unofficially allowing it based on 'local' norms? In the EU however, there are stricter carry-on restrictions. I'm not sure if they're carrier created restrictions, or of governmental origin.

As you may recall, for the longest time here in Canada we had a 10kg carry-on limit, which I believe was due to federal regulations. But at some point in the past 10 years it was quietly dropped and now aligns with TSA/US carrier policy, thankfully.

Jun 04, 2024 at 04:46 PM

Flowernut
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · international carry on

I will check. Getting to Montreal is a possibility. JFK no. Dulles yes! The code shares seemed to indicate Swiss Air but I'll check further. Thanks

Jun 04, 2024 at 05:13 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · international carry on

JFK is Swiss. Newark is United. But maybe you prefer to avoid the NYC area.

United's daily flight 974 out of Dulles is on United equipment according to SeatGuru and United's website.

Regarding the Montreal option, be aware that Canada's border guards are threatening work action this summer, possibly as soon as in a few days. They're considered essential and can't strike, but can work to rule and cause considerable clearance delays. So if you were to drive to Montreal, the border crossing could be a nightmare. Flying in to Montreal you may be able to do an international transit if your bags have been checked through to Geneva, though it still involves dealing with a CBSA agent. You'd probably be in a smaller line in a different location than general arrivals processing through customs. But I don't know Montreal YUL in this respect. I've only seen it in Toronto and it's a separate door just prior to entering the general customs arrival hall.

Jun 04, 2024 at 07:40 PM

PIOK
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · international carry on

What I have learned. Big airlines never check hand luggage weight. Backpacks as long as they are normal size. Only in small planes which has limits close to 5kg they check your bags, but you can still tell them to take bag with you
because of lenses
Go to get your boarding pass with one camera on your shoulder. This gain you sometimes 2kg

Jun 04, 2024 at 07:50 PM

Flowernut
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · international carry on

Thanks for the help. I'm going to try and come back from innsbruck. looks like a bus to munich.

Jun 05, 2024 at 03:06 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · international carry on

OK, that's interesting. I learned something new (I spent a lot of time in Munich in the 2000s-2010s). It's a Lufthansa express bus service between Innsbruck and Munich (instead of a flight) and it has to be booked ahead of time through the Lufthansa website like you would a flight. Looks like it just started up in March this year.

I guess you probably already know this:

LH 3837 ab Innsbruck 06:45 Uhr an München, Terminal 2 09:15 Uhr
LH 3831 ab Innsbruck 10:30 Uhr an München, Terminal 2 13:00 Uhr
LH 3833 ab Innsbruck 14:15 Uhr an München, Terminal 2 16:45 Uhr
LH 3835 ab Innsbruck 18:15 Uhr an München, Terminal 2 20:45 Uhr

It should be the most convenient because it's direct. But as you know, you have to go to Innsbruck airport to catch the bus. There are also rail options, but with several connections. Maybe also regular intercity buses, though you'll probably be dropped off at the downtown bus station and would still have to get to the airport, which is well outside the city (but with frequent S-Bahn rail service).

In any case, by flying out of Munich you should have good flight options back to the US.

Jun 05, 2024 at 11:36 PM

Flowernut
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · international carry on

Yes, I think Munich coming back from Innsbruck and probably through Paris or Zurich going to geneva. Zurich has more time on the ground in Zurich. I worry about missing close connections. Have had proplems in Denver and Atlanta resulting in spending the night there. Try to allow 2 hrs now in denver.

Jun 06, 2024 at 04:10 PM

elkhornsun
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · international carry on

I have never seen airline personnel actually weighing passengers or their bags before boarding a large aircraft. Consider that many people boarding will themselves weigh 50 kilos more than you do.

With limited overhead bin space I make a point of buying a ticket, even a premium coach seat, that affords me early boarding so I have room for my bags.

Jun 12, 2024 at 04:55 PM


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