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Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
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So I'm about to embark on a nature photography trip to Malaysia in a couple of weeks. I have a Fstop Loka bag which I take as a carry on. I've not had any problems so far, but I'm a bit concerned with the weight. I've never had my carry on weighed in the U.S. when flying, but this will have a connection (two actually) and I'm concerned that it might happen at some point.
I obviously have no desire to check my camera gear. I can't see how I can reduce the weight much and bring what I need.
If challenged on the weight, what would you do or say to get around it?
I've never had my carry-on bag weighted. I went on the trip to US in September and obviously I took my gear with me in my backpack (carry-on). I think you shouldn't worry.
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
41,936 posts, read 36,957,550 times
Reputation: 40635
Quote:
Originally Posted by virginie24jb
I've never had my carry-on bag weighted. I went on the trip to US in September and obviously I took my gear with me in my backpack (carry-on). I think you shouldn't worry.
Thanks. I think U.S. carriers, an most Western ones don't weigh bags, but I have encountered in in South America. This trip is to Asia via Turkey.
I guess there isn't much I can do anyway. I'm a worrier!
Just returned from San Francisco and was amazed at the ease of boarding with pre-screening check in. My camera gear backpack and laptop was rolled thru the x-ray and I did not have to remove shoes or clothing and no waiting line.
I flew to Asia/South East Asia from SFO at least once a year.
Carriers: Eva Airline, Cathay Airline, Singapore Airline, China airline (Taiwan).
From my recent experience with Eva and China Airline, I do notice that they (1) Ask how many carry on you have; (2) If you have a huge bag pack/big bag, it is very likely they will weigh it during check in; (3) they do not (from my experience) check the weight of female's handbag regardless of size.
If you are female, you can purchase Camera handbag and put on your camera gears inside
Sorry, no suggestions for guy.
Many international airlines do weigh carry-on. Over the last 2-3 years I've had mine weighed by British Airways, Lufthansa, easyJet, RyanAir, Emirates, and Qatar Airways. A couple of points:
- As EinsteinsGhost and MrsBunny said, how big your bag LOOKS is a big factor. If it looks big (think backpacker-style) then they may ask to weigh it. If it looks small (a business-type pack) you may be able to get by.
- If you are wearing a jacket, use those pockets -- I was once definitely over the carry-on limit, so I tied my rain jacket around my waist and tucked away a couple of lenses in the pockets. Once I was done with check-in (and out of sight of the desk!), I put the lenses back in my backpack and went on my way.
Also, note that many airlines don't count a slim laptop bag as part of the carry-on. I carry my laptop + Kindle/books/papers + cables/batteries in a separate laptop bag, which helps to reduce the weight of my "official" carry-on.
If you are female, you can purchase Camera handbag and put on your camera gears inside
Sorry, no suggestions for guy.
Case Logic 206 was a backpack I'd purchased three years ago for international travel and it has worked well. It is good size as a carry-on, and has a pocket for laptop (15.6" fits comfortably). The main compartment has partitions, only some of which I keep to make room for non-camera items. As for gear itself, I've typically gone minimalistic, in the past, Sony a55 with 18-250 travel zoom lens and a fast prime (35 or 50). The combined weight of this gear is less than 3 lb.
I have an upcoming trip next month (three countries over three weeks) and I'm debating whether to carry both camera bodies or just one. If I take both, Sony a55 will go with 18-250 as an all-purpose set up (about 2 lb), while Sony NEX-6 will go with three-four primes (8mm for ultra-wide, 20mm for wide angle and 35mm for normal, and a 50mm for portraiture). This second set will be another (only) 2 lb or so. Rest of my carry on stuff is typically minimalistic, and I will probably not carry the laptop anyway (which weighs more than the entire camera gear).
So, what and how you pack may be the key.
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