[Leica] Extra photo bag on the plane

[jplaurel at nwlink.com (Jim Laurel)]

Simon,
I don't have any problem with checking in equipment, thus enhancing 
cabin safety.  However, I would want the airline to take responsibility 
for my checked baggage, or at least sell insurance to cover valuable 
goods checked in.  With security (supposedly) so tight at airports, 
it's hard to understand why there is still so much theft from checked 
baggage.  So here's the situation for a pro or avid amateur shooting 
digital:

1) Your EOS1Ds or EOS1D MkII + 16-35, 28-70, 70-200 and flash (no back 
up body - a conservative kit for a pro photographer doing an editorial 
shoot nowadays) now exceed many international carriers' carry on limits 
of 8kg, even though it all fits in a LowePro Mini Trekker, which fits 
underneath the seat in front of you.
2) Because you're shooting digital, you need a laptop.  And no, a 
digital wallet by itself is not good enough, because without a laptop, 
you have no way of reviewing your images daily and making sure that a 
big frigging hair hasn't lodged itself on your sensor.  Your standard 
soft Eagle Creek briefcase with a 15" Powerbook, plus AC adapter, 
FlashTrax (+ its adapter), plus various wires and adapters required, by 
itself is at the 8kg limit set by many intl airlines.
3) You can't lock things into hard cases any more, because TSA and 
other security agencies simply cut your locks off
4) Using the TSA locks is useless, because all the thieves that work at 
the airports will have the means to open them.
5) Forget about FedEx.  You're flying into Vientianne...or Rangoon...or 
Windhoek...or <insert developing country here>

Domestic US is another matter.  It is reasonable to live within 18kg 
for carry-ons.  But for those of us who fly international often, 8kg is 
getting to be the standard.

So, Simon, just what in the hell are we supposed to do?

--Jim


On Oct 7, 2004, at 7:07 AM, animal wrote:

> No you are dead wrong.
> The usual average mass per person is 76 kg,s and luggage is set at 18 
> kg for medium distance flights.
>
> The manufacturers clearly put placards in every luggage bin with the 
> maximum load.
>
> It,s up to the airlines and the passengers to ensure that that is 
> complied with.
> Next time read your tickets carefully to see what your obligations are 
> in this respect.
> Same for dangerous goods in carry ons.Even small things like a zippo 
> lighter or a gas haircurler.
> There is an industry wide effort to remove the liquor from the cabin.
> This results in many major airports to allow tax free sales upon 
> arrival.
> The final say is with the purser and cabin attendant at the door 
> during boarding.
> If they notice unusually large or heavy carry ons they have to let in 
> load below decks.
> The best airlines are quite good at implementing these rules.Usually 
> there are check boxes at checkin were you can test the dimensions and 
> weights of carry on bags.Still many are very bad especially in the 
> Americas and with upstarts as well.
> Point i,m trying to make is that these restrictions are not silly 
> rules they are a matter of life and death.
> It,s as simple as that.
> simon jessurun