Airline friendly bags

[Garbz]

More of a reason to print out their own policies and read them back to them.
Actually I've had this same situation but they were very understanding when I flat out told them it was a camera and it is not getting checked. I was getting ready to by a smaller bag to hold my gear at some airport shop, and then check my empty lowepro

 

[usayit]

All policies I have been informed do not guarantee that you can store your carry ons in the overhead compartments. They can insist to have them placed under the plane in the same location as wheel chairs and strollers. Those items are still technically considered carry on items and are waiting for you as soon as you leave the craft at the destination.

My point is.... always prepare for the worst.. it doesn't hurt especially when you consider the cost of the items. In my case, hard case locked with a pad lock. Locking a soft case is utterly useless. It is also difficult to hold airlines accountable for lost or damaged items. Even if you win, you are still without the equipment for this particular trip.

 

[icassell]

Not wanting to hijack this thread but on a similar vein, I have a question ....

In this era where airlines charge you for the first bag checked, I try as hard as possible to avoid checking any bag at all. I take my Lowe 200 as a camera bag and then a standard size carryon suitcase. I've been scared to bring a monopod or a tripod on plane trips ... mine don't fit into my carryon suitcase and i would have to strap it to my 200. I asked a TSA inspector at the Phoenix airport and he said no problem, but is this universal? Is there anything in writing from TSA that says they are allowed (or not allowed) on board? I'd hate to have a good pod confiscated (or pay a check-baggage fee just for a pod).

 

[Reese's PB Luver]

If you are forced to gate-check your bag, be sure to take all your memory cards out of it and carry them on your person first! (Unless you don't have any photos on them yet - if you transferred them to a drive, take that on your person instead.)

 

[musicaleCA]

Okay, now I'm curious. Do all the American airlines charge for the first bag you check? (If so, I'm even more happy that I'm in Canada and we have WestJet.)

 

[Reese's PB Luver]

Not all the airlines, but most do.

 

[benhasajeep]

Okay, now I'm curious. Do all the American airlines charge for the first bag you check? (If so, I'm even more happy that I'm in Canada and we have WestJet.)

As far as I know, Southwest is the only American based airline not charging for either of the first 2 bags. I dislike them for other reasons though. Plus they don't fly to my home airport. Which is just fine for me.

I am elite on 3 different airlines right now, so most of the time don't have to pay. But if I did I would use a company credit card as they cover my baggage when traveling for them.

But I think it's rediculous that the US gov't allows them to charge for the first bag in the first place. That is a bunch of BS! I also noticed on my last trip they were getting more strict with carry on size and weights. Basically trying to drum up more cash.

 

[Phranquey]

Hi,

I currently own the Lowepro Computrekker Plus AW. I love this bag, but it is quite large. Lowepro says it's airport carry on legal, but I am a little worried. I really don't need to carry that much gear on this trip. I'd like to take:

40D with grip
70-200 F2.8 L IS
24-104L
50mm 1.4
17-55 F2.8 IS
580 EXII Flash.
15 inch laptop and accessories.

I am looking for suggestions for a good bag for travel thats not too big, but still roomy enough for that gear list. Maybe the computrekker AW?

Also, has anyone traveled with the computrekker plus? Did it fit on the plane well? Overhead?

I have the Lowepro Pro Trekker II AW, which is big enough to hold everything including the 500mm, and I haven't had a problem carrying it on a plane. That, however, has been all domestic travel.

On smaller puddle-jumpers, it will not fit in an overhead, but it will still usually fit under the seat.

 

[itznfb]

Tenba - Carry-on Compatible

 

[icassell]

I don't think Jet Blue charges for first bag.

 

[Reese's PB Luver]

Also, if you fly first class/business class, some airlines won't charge you for the first bag.

 

[musicaleCA]

Also, if you fly first class/business class, some airlines won't charge you for the first bag.

Jeeze. If you're paying for first class they shouldn't charge you for baggage at all, unless you have, say, five oversize, overweight bags. Silly airlines.

Then again, WestJet up here doesn't have a first class; everyone's equal. (This is the point where Americans should be saying "Freaking socialist Canadians!" )