It's the reason that I've stopped flying if I don't have to. I need my equipment, and I don't want it stolen or damaged by baggage monkeys. Not to mention total destruction of my check-in cases and case replacement needed every 3rd or 4th trip.
Please comment briefly on your airline travel camera packing strategy.
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I understand your pain but sometimes you just can't avoid flying. Knowing that your camera is safely packed can make flying less uncomfortable, and for that I use a special suitcase to keep it protected. I haven't had any unpleasant surprises ever since I started using it.
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On my last trip, the airline was so full that I had to let them take one of my carry-ons and put it in the baggage. I kept my camera and laptop with me in the cabin, but I see that air travel may never be the same with all the terrorism now a part of our existence.
I also will ship any extra gear I need by FedEx to the hotel I am staying at & avoid the airlines carryon & baggage problems. Several years ago my monopod was denied carryon by TSA fortunately I had arrived early enough to be able to put it into checked baggage. Normally I never put anything into checked baggage of any value since there is a very high theft rate by the various handlers.
This has become a real problem. Checking even a heavy duty container does not protect one from theft. We need to work with the airlines such that examined photo gear can travel with the owner and also such that the owner can take their necessary items like meds and a change of clothes on the airplane. If not, then they need to accept full responsibility for the items that they check and be sure they are protected and that they arrive with the passenger.
I can pack pretty much everything I need in my Tamrac backpack and slide it under the seat in front of me. My tripod is attached to my backpack as I check in and board, so it is not considered a second carry on. I take it off the backpack and put it in overhead storage during the flight.
The first thing I did was to buy a new durable and sturdy tripod which, when folded, would fit into carry-on luggage. They are out there - and the best I've found so far is by Trek. Since we are allowed two carry-on pieces and I detest checking (i.e. losing) luggage, I pack clothing in one carry-on rolling case, and all camera equipment in a second, smaller carry-on bag. I can accommodate one camera, one tripod, a flash attachment and three lenses, which is usually all I will need. I also find that if I announce what I am carrying, including the tripod, to the security officer at the checkpoint, they can identify what they are looking at and have stopped having me unpack everything to prove I'm not carrying a weapon.
I carry the Tamrac Pro Photo Backpack that allows me to carry a DSLR with grip, flash, 4 small to medium lenses, and my very large 150-500mm zoom. While it is heavy it will fit nicely in the overhead compartment. I would never trust my gear to the baggage handlers.
I hate traveling by air because I can never take all of the gear I want. Even with over stuffing my coat and camera vest with gear, I can not get everything I want into my carry on bag. I would not trust airlines with a checked bag, and they won't insure the contents anyway. It would be nice if they would allow people with camera gear to have one additional carry on - even if I had to pay for it.
I use 1d MIII with big L lenses for sports, but the last 2 trips I took for personal travel, all that gear stayed home and I took only a G9. I brought the add-on wide lens the first trip but never used it. The mounting adapter though is terrific because I can add a polarizer. I usually bring a mid-size add-on flash (430) as well. I just printed a 16x20 landscape from the last trip and it looks great.