Samir Jahjah Posted December 27, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 27, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Imagine this scenario : You have 1 carry-on bag, containing your M9, a 24mm 1.4 summilux, another 50mm summilux and a 90mm elmarit. Ballpark estimates of your equipment is in $15000! Then you are told, while checking-in your flight to the US, that you can only have a transparent plastic bag with documents, and your carry on baggage must be checked-in! What do you do? Would any insurance cover the risk of loss in this scenario? More importantly, your photo bag most likely is not suited to be checked-in! This happened to me in 2001. I had my M7, and a few lenses in a simple billingham shoulder bag... I taped the bag as much as possible and just hoped for the best. The problem is that this can happy anytime these days, one could opt to postpone the trip, but this could happen in transit as well... Is the solution to pack our equipment in one of the small Peli case (like the 1400)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 27, 2009 Posted December 27, 2009 Hi Samir Jahjah, Take a look here Traveling with M9 and three lenses. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
cocker Posted December 27, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 27, 2009 Don't travel to the US - I won't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samir Jahjah Posted December 27, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted December 27, 2009 Don't travel to the US - I won't. Well...this is not an option for me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rawcs Posted December 27, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 27, 2009 Good idea to tape the bag to prevent movement. If it happened to me I'd take a look around the airport shops to see if I could buy a case or some sort of carry bag. Then I'd buy cotton clothing to cushion my billingham bag which I'd place in the middle of everything. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted December 27, 2009 Share #5 Posted December 27, 2009 If you have a suitable travelling case (B+W, Pelican etc.), you could have this shrink-wrapped at the airport (Don't forget to puncture the wrap to let the air out.) and then check it as hold baggage, although I'm not sure about the insurance angle. Another option could be to ship it as overnight freight, although this will be expensive and may involve discussions with US Customs afterwards. In my opinion, the best way to travel across the Atlantic these days is by sea. It takes a little longer, but it is much more pleasant, and you have time to relax, enjoy good food, make new friends, and you will have plenty of photographic opportunities along the way. When I was young, travelling by air was an adventure. Nowadays it is just an ordeal to be avoided if at all possible. Especially when you consider the pitiful luggage allowances these days which barely cover the essentials for a day trip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samir Jahjah Posted December 27, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted December 27, 2009 If you have a suitable travelling case (B+W, Pelican etc.), you could have this shrink-wrapped at the airport (Don't forget to puncture the wrap to let the air out.) and then check it as hold baggage, although I'm not sure about the insurance angle. Another option could be to ship it as overnight freight, although this will be expensive and may involve discussions with US Customs afterwards. In my opinion, the best way to travel across the Atlantic these days is by sea. It takes a little longer, but it is much more pleasant, and you have time to relax, enjoy good food, make new friends, and you will have plenty of photographic opportunities along the way. When I was young, travelling by air was an adventure. Nowadays it is just an ordeal to be avoided if at all possible. Especially when you consider the pitiful luggage allowances these days which barely cover the essentials for a day trip. I like the idea of traveling by sea...how long does it take? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted December 27, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 27, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I like the idea of traveling by sea...how long does it take? Depending upon the ship and ports of departure and destination, about 8-12 days from Europe to the US East coast. This is by freighter, and so it's bit slower than by fast passenger liner. But there are freighter sailings every week, as against once a month by liner. It's also a lot cheaper by freighter than by liner. Have a look on the internet, there are quite a few agents who handle this, or any good travel agent should be able to arrange it for you. You could also contact a shipping line directly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geesbert Posted December 27, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 27, 2009 I'd take the camera around my neck with the largest lens mounted, those two lenses would go into a coat pocket each. easily done with M lenses, try that with an f2.8/70-200... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklotz Posted December 27, 2009 Share #9 Posted December 27, 2009 I easily done with M lenses, try that with an f2.8/70-200... Is that a 70-200 2.8 in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? Seriously, I learned my lesson traveling on a commercial shoot I had a few years back. I had everything in a carry on size roll around case, but was late to the plane and all of the overhead space was taken. They made me check it. I spent the flight with an M8, 5 lenses and a Phase One P25 in my lap. My assistant got to take the cambo and 3 lenses in his. When the plane landed, we regrouped in the terminal and wrapped everything in a sweatshirt to make it to baggage claim. Not fun. Since that time, I've learned that all the expensive stuff goes in a Think Tank Urban Disguise 60, that will fit under the seat in front of me. I've got 2 of them - 1 for me and 1 for the assistant if I'm traveling with one. It is about the maximum size one could put under the seat in front. Everything else gets checked. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danyves Posted December 27, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 27, 2009 Try using either a fishing vest or a Reporter vest if this is not too much suspect. Has to be check if allowed for air trip. As Nicole said, best nowadays is to travel by sea on cargo. Air travel is a chore and an annoyance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
haroldp Posted December 27, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 27, 2009 I fly 25-50 times a year. I never check anything valuable. If it is shrink wrapped, and x-rays show valuable items, the whole thing will simply disappear. Anything I cannot carry on, (200-400 f4, etc.) I Fedex to my first destination. One of the reasons I usually use Leica when air travel is involved. I hope this is helpful. Regards ... Harold Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted December 27, 2009 Share #12 Posted December 27, 2009 I'd take the camera around my neck with the largest lens mounted, those two lenses would go into a coat pocket each. easily done with M lenses, try that with an f2.8/70-200... Bingo. It will be a very cold day in hell before I check in anything other than clothing. If you check it in and the handlers see it on the xray, there is a very good chance you will never see it again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoody Posted December 27, 2009 Share #13 Posted December 27, 2009 I'd take the camera around my neck with the largest lens mounted, those two lenses would go into a coat pocket each. easily done with M lenses, try that with an f2.8/70-200... If you use dual-lens rear caps like the ones Optech sells, you can get two lenses per pocket. Then carry the M body around your neck without a lens so it's low-profile. Of course with the new rules being imposed after the leg-strapped incendiary device that was detonated in a jet the other day, it is looking like no electronics will be allowed on one's body during some international flights to-and-from the USA, so that complicates things a bit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted December 27, 2009 Share #14 Posted December 27, 2009 [quote name=smoody;1169303 Of course with the new rules being imposed after the leg-strapped incendiary device that was detonated in a jet the other day' date=' it is looking like no electronics will be allowed on one's body during some international flights to-and-from the USA, so that complicates things a bit.[/quote] I hadn't heard about this. I travel with cellphone, Kindle, laptop [sometimes], Leica M, Electronic alarm clock, and all the associated chargers and batteries. I guess I have to find that ship! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde-SST Posted December 27, 2009 Share #15 Posted December 27, 2009 I like the idea of traveling by sea...how long does it take? A couple of years I made the trip with the QE2 (Queen Elizabeth 2) - six days from Southampton. Marvellous ride!! Too bad the ship isn´t around anymore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted December 27, 2009 Share #16 Posted December 27, 2009 The QM2 has even better stabilizers than the QE2 - and odds are you can get a balcony. Don't cross in the Queen Vic or the new QE, though - not designed to handle the North Atlantic. I travel with M9 around my neck with 1 lens, and a 7x7x7 Nat Geo. bag that holds everything else (3 lenses or two lenses and a body + misc. cards and batteries) and will fit under the seat. QM2 anchored off St. George's, Grenada - 12/2009 - M9 & 21mm Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/107839-traveling-with-m9-and-three-lenses/?do=findComment&comment=1165627'>More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted December 28, 2009 Share #17 Posted December 28, 2009 Just use TSA locks. Only TSA have the keys so there shoould be no problem. If you believe this, you are a fool. And there are no fools reading this forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted December 28, 2009 Share #18 Posted December 28, 2009 Simple: 1) Pelican 1510 that'll hold your typical M camera bag & equipment. 2) Insurance. The 1510 can normally be carried on board. If it has to be checked then it's also resilient enough to survive. As regards theft ... that's why you have good insurance. As regards the travel restrictions - typical knee jerk reaction that won't address the root cause for the problem which is lax profiling and poor policing. Take a leaf out if the Israeli air carriers and we might feel more secure. I travel pretty much every week for my day job and so check almost everything with the exception of minimal carry on such as a small laptop bag. The new restrictions will doubtless be yet another intrusive bitch of an ordeal with minimal real effect on overall passenger safety. Ditto the the latest seating restriction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barcoder Posted December 28, 2009 Share #19 Posted December 28, 2009 Then you are told, while checking-in your flight to the US, that you can only have a transparent plastic bag with documents, and your carry on baggage must be checked-in! What do you do? I would probably throw a fit. If it is a TSA rule, there is little choice to make. Maybe double wrap your lenses and camera with paper towels from the bathroom and your soft under cloths. If it is an airline rule, I would yell at them and probably never fly with them again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted December 28, 2009 Share #20 Posted December 28, 2009 Simple: 1) Pelican 1510 that'll hold your typical M camera bag & equipment. 2) Insurance. or 3) Wear a photo vest or jacket with big pockets - body with front cap & lenses in different pockets. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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