OK. So _now_ what do we do with our film and our kit?

[mat_mcdermott]

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That's simple. I won't fly to England until they get rid of that dumb policy. Geewhiz. Such foolishness of mankind

 

The certain foolishness of man aside, the carry-on restrictions aren't just on fllights to and from the UK, unfortunately.

[hm1912]

I'm not sure who precisely is being the most foolish, but aren't we forgetting to ask one question: what are reporters doing? I suspect that photojournalists are still travelling in and out of the UK by plane.

[albertwang]

This policy only serves to prove that the airline industry again and again wishes to browbeat their clientele. Think of all of the business travelers who need their laptops and won't be able to now. In fact, the irony is that just as the airlines was recovering from the red, this policy is instituted which does nothing to improve the security (or improve the illusion of it).

 

I'm willing to bet a lot of people are going to stop taking planes after this honestly and the airlines industry lose 80% of their customers. I doubt many first class passengers would be willing to forsake their iPods and portable DVD players.

 

I am not going to fly until November to visit my sister in NYC. I hope that the airlines by that time will be smart and repeal their silly ways.

[djcastelli]

Hi folks,

My wife & I just came back from a wonderful 10 days in London. I'm smitten. Just a few observations:

1. Leaving Boston (btw, on the day the ceiling fell on the woman & killed her) I had 40 rolls of film hand inspected; I planned 1/2 hour for testing - no problem;

2. Going from London to Paris on the Eurostar, I requested a hand inspection - didn't get it; the bag went through the x-ray machine, THEN I was escorted to a secure area where the bag and its contents were hand inspected, and I was checked out. The security official did know what a Leica M6 was, and commeted that I was a 'true photographer' not some 'snap happy bloke'. The bag, my M6 and I all passed. My wife was relieved. I was a bit disappointed that I wasn't called a bloke.

3. X-ray'ed at the Louve; gurr. The roll of film I shot (no photography please!) of the Mona Lisa, alsong w/some euro's, was flitched from my pocket outside of the Louve.

4. Managed to convince the French custom official to hand-check my film. He looked at it, said to me that he hoped that we had a nice day in Paris, and passed it OVER the x-ray machine. I had to remove my belt, however, when I passed through the metal detector. The pants didn't fall down because I was stuffed (oops! I mean full) of fine French Cafe food.

5. Asked to have my film hand inspected at Heathrow. No luck. The bag was passed through the x-ray machine. Guess what? I was pulled out of line, the bag, myself and the M6 were checked out by a kindly older woman that no doubt had a 4th degree black belt in Judo. She didn't know about the Leica, but commented that I made a fine selection of tea. I was beginning to wonder if there was a direct connection between my request (always made very politely and without demand or reverting to the ulgy tourist) and being checked.

 

Now, the present situation. I think things will 'cool down' in regards to carrying some luggage on board aircraft in a few days. Our wifes or significant others carry purses, and they are not being shifted to the cargo hold.We're not the only one's carrying expensive equipment or devices. How about (if possible) buying your film when you arrive at your destination? I know it can be inconvienent, but it's not impossible.

[hm1912]

I don't think any of this is silly. We are all too concerned about what ultimately amounts to an inconvenience that I suspect most members here could work around. The problem seems to me to be what I said earlier -- airline security should be such that they don't need to make such drastic changes because they are already prepared.

 

I suspect that it is just as likely that something could happen to your Leica gear if you take it with you, than if one put it in a Pelican case and stowed it.

[albertwang]

Yeah, but I don't want to have to drag around a Pelican case just to house my Leica equipment. The point of owning a Leica is to carry less gear, not a bulletproof case on board. I guess that my travel plans are stymied just for a little while.

[biglouis]

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Another POMMY WANK EXERCISE.

 

Ken.

 

That's easy to say in Melbourne but it is a lot closer to home in a city where it is only a year since one successful and one unsuccessful terrorist attack took place.

 

Returning to the subject of putting things in holds - I'm afraid you have no option but to make sure you have insurance and that you are not too emotionally tied to your equipment.

 

Unless you are taking your antique/collectable Leica with you I would expect that even though it would be disappointing to lose an item to damage or baggage theft that at least you are going to be able to replace it easily - as long as it is properly insured.

 

My other hobby is music and I have only ever flown with a guitar once - far too delicate and in this particular instance almost impossible to replace but I bought it in the US and had no option but to take it by plane back to the UK (where it did arrive safely).

 

BTW, I may be wrong but I recall discovering a few years back that under the Warsaw convention airlines are not bound to recompense you for the value of your theft or loss. You have to have insurance to cover that so whatever else make sure you have your cameras on all-risk policies which also cover transport by planes.

 

LouisB

[albertwang]

Unfortunately, my Leica is a friend. I wouldn't want to throw that in the baggage you know. There is an emotional connection that insurance isn't going to do justice to. Especially that I put a Hello Kitty sticker on my M6!

[Overgaard]

I've traveled with loads of films in a Haliburton aluminium case and others as handloggage. Even some was exposed as 1600, 3200 and 6400 they vere untouched by the X-rays.

 

My only worry on traveling with my computer and cameas "down below" is if I will ever see it again. Or if they will crash it as they are indeed very clever at doing at Gatwick and Heatrow. Always look as if they use heavy tools to mark the luggage.

 

As for preventing an act of terror I think we should acknowledge the police of UK. I feel a bit astounished reading my fellow forum members worry about their film equipment in the light of approximately 2,000 lifes saved.

 

That said, it's of course a dramatization to secure airline travel like it is being done - while at the same time busses, trains, large events like concerts, etc are not recieving the same attention. Why terrrorists seem to love airlines since the 1970'es is beyond me. But it's a fact that they do.

[lincoln_m]

Andy,

As soon as they said no hand luggage this morning I thought, "Oh no that means I can't use my Leica's because I can't take my Velvia/Kodachrome." I understand that the hold luggage is X-Rayed. I'm sure that back before Sept 2001 that it was not X-RAyed because I took a disposable camera to USA on about 4 flights and the film was developed fine. At that time I had the camera in my hold baggage and did not think about X-Rays. That was before I went to Leica cameras. We should do some experiments with a disposable camera, take a few pics, put it in the hold luggage, take some more at destination, return and finish the film then get it developed to see the result. I suspect that they do not X-Ray the hold baggage but I might be wrong now since Sept 2001.

 

I'm sure SD cards etc are OK as I I think I have already done this. Again we can do an experiment with the 16M card from our Panasonic-Leicas on the next business trip.

 

This has only happed today so I hope the rules will loosen up and film will be allowed in hand-luggage soon. They might not allow any electronics on board ever again. No mobile no key fob. That will be a real pain as loosing your car keys (with you hold luggage) means you can't get home.

 

If the no-hand luggage rule carries on for a long time I can see that air travel will not be favourable to business or travel photographers, but that might just save the environment.

 

Leica loan / travel policy: Someone mentioned this and I think it is a really good idea. A bit like car hire but camera hire. If these silly rules continue I shall be suggesting this to Leica camera stores in the UK. The used equipment could be used for hire out to travellers just like we do when we hire a car. Perhaps we can register some of our not so often used equipment to the local Leica dealer who will give us a portion of the loan fee back as an income to help pay for our hire when abroad. The shop would send the kit for service after x many films etc assuming we can agree we are honest on return how many films we put through (= mileage) during our rental period. The only issue is that we might not be able to get Leica kit in some travel destinations.

 

It might be time to get an M2 (with no electronics) if they allow cameras with no electronics on board the plane in future.

Regards, Lincoln

(quite worried about film's future now. Digital is nothing to worry about compared to this.)

[adan]

The U.S. has new restrictions as of this morning for all flights - no liquids or gels in carry-on (perfume, lotions, creams), and perhaps a ban on key-fob-type transmitters. Appears as details come out that the plot was to mix explosives in-flight from "benign" liquids (in the privacy of the loos/johns, no doubt) and trigger them via RF frequency-transmitters.

 

3000 km from land over the Atlantic, even a bad fire would be fatal.

 

With luck the UK will back off a bit once there is a more specific picture of which materials really are suspect in this instance.

 

Considering that the leader of the anti-Taliban forces was assassinated 3 days before 9/11 with an explosive-laden video camera, I guess I feel lucky that cameras and film cassettes haven't been more severely limited as potential explosive devices in recent years.

 

Ugly times.

[leicamann]

Yet another "false flag " operation. I think people should wake up and see what is happening. Get informed, don't believe just what the BBC or any Rupert Murdock Media Corp is telling you.

 

Its time for Neo to decide which pill to take, the red one or the blue one...

 

 

And no I am not kidding, I am amazed how folks are being led around by the nose..by the Corp Media

 

And if you don't believe me..then watch....as our Civil liberties are slowly and inexhorably removed, deliberately, strategically and methodically..all you need to do is have a "terrorist event" or in this case a plot.

 

Regards, Leica Mann

[hm1912]

No civil liberties have, as of yet, been threatened as of this latest threat. Real or not (and talk about your false dichotomy), I don't think this is the place for that sort of pontificating.

 

I spoke with a representatie of the company I insured my camera with and they said lots of people have been calling in. Good news is that if I do decide to bring my camera, provided I follow some rather straightfoward and common sense precautions, my gear is insured.

[albertwang]

Uh, what makes one think that it will be safer after the new policy is implement? There is no scientific evidence that allowing no carry ons will reduce the risk of those guys finding another method.

[lambroving]

Hmmm... Perhaps these restrictions will last only until MI5 picks up the rest of the suspects, or a bit longer. Very glad I returned last week. Had hand inspection at Newark on the way out, (never a problem), and managed the same at Terminal 4 by uttering the magic 3200 word.

[biglouis]

Thinking about it practically, if you cannot take on anything other than a clear pouch containing your wallet and passport what exactly is going to happen to sales of all the overpriced tat in the shopping mall which now passes for a departure lounge?

 

I would have thought that BAA will bring enormous pressure fairly quickly to allow passengers to take more on board if for nothing else but purely commercial reasons.

 

Apologies for this irrelevant thought but it just popped into my head and I wanted to share it.

 

LouisB

[Fotobug]

Film vulnerability: Ditto the suggestions of buying and developing in your country of destination. Don't know where to buy or develop? Then post your query on this forum - I'm certain someone will help with info. And for those of us planning to shoot extensively, then consider getting all of those logistics sorted out well before you leave - if you can plan ahead so that you can pick-up your bricks of film on day after arrival and start shooting, then you really have not lost any time, right? Indeed, on an extended trip, you may be able to develop your black+white films yourself.

 

Film scarcity: No, I don't smoke; but, I do roll most of my own black+white film. I'm glad I still have 6 reels of Agfa APX100 in my back pocket. You can save significant money and ensure that you have ample supply. And if I had really been on the ball, I'd have bought several cases of APX100 in 120 size. Oops. So, buy now and complain less later. Same goes for color negative films, too. Of course, traveling overseas/abroad you may have to make do with factory rolled films.

 

Camera equipment transport: All depends on what your photographic goals and equipment needs will be - oh, and the budget maybe. If I'm just going to take my IIIA with collapsable 50mm Summitar, with a lens shade and 2 filters - I'll just suffit in my second pair of shoes in my luggage. Remember, I'm going to buy/process my film in-country under the new air travel regimen. But, if I want to take multiple bodies, or lenses, and other equipment, well that means that I want to make a photographic investment in my travel. So, I'll buy that Pelican case and ship the equipment to my destination via UPS, FedEx, DHL, or whomever. With a modicum of insurance of course.

 

Keep shooting. Plan ahead. And keep shooting.

 

Just my two-cents worth.

 

Take care.

[Bob Ross]

Thinking about it practically, if you cannot take on anything other than a clear pouch containing your wallet and passport what exactly is going to happen to sales of all the overpriced tat in the shopping mall which now passes for a departure lounge?

 

I would have thought that BAA will bring enormous pressure fairly quickly to allow passengers to take more on board if for nothing else but purely commercial reasons.

 

Apologies for this irrelevant thought but it just popped into my head and I wanted to share it.

 

LouisB

No apologies needed. The economic impact of this, if it last for any period of time, will be as if the terrorist had bombed the economy along with our liberties of enjoying our crafts and hobbies. To some it will come to, travel by air only if you have to.

Bob

[cbretteville]

Lets hope it blows over until the Leica one challenge in October or the participants from the UK will have to ferry accross.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[lambroving]

Thinking about it practically, if you cannot take on anything other than a clear pouch containing your wallet and passport what exactly is going to happen to sales of all the overpriced tat in the shopping mall which now passes for a departure lounge?

 

I would have thought that BAA will bring enormous pressure fairly quickly to allow passengers to take more on board if for nothing else but purely commercial reasons.

 

Apologies for this irrelevant thought but it just popped into my head and I wanted to share it.

 

LouisB

 

Good point. The duty-free shops must be virtually closed. Success there is variable, but on this last visit I picked up a belt from Mulberry and a short-sleeved shirt from Pink, both ideal for work and neither of the items were in their London shops the day before.