[LargeFormat] Hand Luggage UK Airports - Suggestions?

[Jim Hemenway]

Your luggage is now x-rayed.

If it's worth a lot then it's stolen by the baggage handlers.

It happened a few days ago to a fellow's Contax equipment in regards to 
a flight from NY to LA.

The airlines offer only $250 for lost or stolen bags.

Jim - http://www.hemenway.com



Huib Smeets wrote:
> Yes Mark,
> 
> Giving it a second thought, this is the most sensable approach: packing
> the backpack with all gear in a sturdy case, less conspicious for
> thieves as it looks like plain clothes luggage and yes, trashing other
> bags in the overhead compartment worries me too.
> 
> Huib
> 
> 
>>-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
>>Van: largeformat-admin@f32.net 
>>[mailto:largeformat-admin@f32.net] Namens mark blackman
>>Verzonden: zondag 4 januari 2004 10:49
>>Aan: largeformat@f32.net
>>Onderwerp: Re: [LargeFormat] Hand Luggage UK Airports - Suggestions?
>>
>>
>>Personally, there is only one reason why I'd try and get all my kit 
>>(whether travelling with camera or not) on a plane as hand 
>>baggage, that 
>>is to get a quick get-away upon arrival. Once I've reached 
>>that limit, 
>>there really doesn't seem to be much point trying to squeeze 
>>photographic equipment into a small bag, carry it around the 
>>departure 
>>lounge and endless corridors, force it into an overhead locker, then 
>>have everyone else cram there stuff in around it. I pack 
>>everything into 
>>a LowePro trekker, then pack that into a sturdy case, using socks, 
>>T-shirts etc. as wadding. Likewise with the tripod, I detach the head 
>>and pack it away with clothing in another bag. All I need to take as 
>>carry on then is film.
>>I believe that this method minimizes the risks in that:
>>1. At security, you've only got film to worry about, 
>>struggling through 
>>with bags full of photo gear is not the best way to get any sympathy 
>>from busy guards about the film.
>>2. You don't run the risk of an eagle-eyed check-in person 
>>weighing and 
>>measuring all your hand luggage, and then having to check it in 
>>unprepared for its likely rough handling.
>>3. If you have to make an insurance claim for damaged 
>>equipment, you'll 
>>have less hassle if the stuff was handled by the airline or 
>>its baggage 
>>operator than if you were personally responsible for its 
>>care. (I used 
>>to work for Lloyds's of London; believe me, insurance 
>>companies love to 
>>blame the claimant for their own misfortune)
>>4. I'm less likely to forget some little gadget, pen-knife, 
>>screwdriver 
>>etc. if I pack my photobag with everything I may need. Taking 
>>it through 
>>as hand luggage means removing all the little bits and pieces 
>>that may 
>>be considered 'dangerous' and putting then in checked luggage.
>>
>>Mark.
>>