rscheffler
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
|
 p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Recommendations for Checked Aircraft Hold Gear | |
Agree with others, you don't want to be in the last couple boarding zones (or however the airline you'll be flying manages boarding) and it's worth getting premium seating for priority boarding. If you know how the airline boards, such as from back to front, selecting a seat towards the back might be another option instead of premium seating. For example when I fly Air Canada, I typically select a window seat towards the back and am usually in zone 3, which is the first 'normal' non-status boarding zone. Some airlines have designated lanes roped off at the gate for the various boarding zones. If you're still concerned about getting on early in your zone, you can stand and wait there early, at or near the front of your zone's line, prior to boarding while most will still be sitting in the waiting area for the boarding announcement. This can pay off on certain types of flights that have a lot of business and status passengers who get earlier priority boarding than what you may get with a premium economy seat, which can fill up the overhead compartments. There will still be availability, it just might be behind where you're sitting (if you're in premium economy, seats are typically at the front of the economy cabin). If you have a relatively tight connection to another flight, then definitely look into premium seating near the front of your cabin so you can get off quickly for your next flight.
As far as checking gear, yeah, if it's anything relatively sensitive, such as lenses and cameras, you want a proper hard case with good padding, whether foam or dividers (and maybe some supplemental padding for key items). Here a rolling case will be more comfortable to manage if all the checked gear will end up being fairly heavy. But you have to watch the weight limit as it can quickly exceed the typical 50lb allowance (you can usually pay a fee if you are over the limit). These cases, which you should lock with a TSA approved lock, aren't a guarantee against theft. It's more about protecting the gear, but they do shout 'expensive equipment inside.' One option, if the case is small enough, is to put it inside a duffle bag to somewhat disguise the contents. If you're not checking a large amount of camera gear, it could go in a smaller hard case that you then put inside your usual suitcase, along with tripod, stands, if applicable.
As for me, if it's a domestic trip and within an 8-12 hour drive, I prefer to drive if the amount of equipment I want/need to bring is more than what would fit in a carry-on.
|
