TSA locks for travel cases

Has anyone tried 'shipping' their camera equipment ahead of time?

Hi there,

This may seem like a stupid question but I have yet to travel with my new rig, can you not take a pelican as a carry on?!?! I'm going on a trip soon and feel very uneasy about checking my equipment...

Hi there,

 

This may seem like a stupid question but I have yet to travel with my new rig, can you not take a pelican as a carry on?!?!

Nope, not a stupid question. There is a bunch of threads on getting our stuff to the ocean safely. Here is the latest one. http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...travel,+baggage

There is also a long thread on the things that can happen to a Pelican case. http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...&hl=pelican

It really just depends on where you going and which airline/ countries you travel through. I traveled with my old Pelican for years without a problem but I was mostly diving in the Caribbean.

Steve

Awesome, thanks for that..

Also is there a certain type of insurance you can get for your rig? There must be no way basic travel insurance would cover it all??

Awesome, thanks for that..

 

Also is there a certain type of insurance you can get for your rig? There must be no way basic travel insurance would cover it all??

There is a real handy feature that Eric and the folks have built into the site. For questions that we all ask alot and keep going back to they "pin" some of the most useful threads to the top of each of the forum areas. I checked and sure enough there is an official insurance thread you can check out. It's here http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...1012&st=120

The search feature is real nice too. The insurance thread looks like it might need some refreshment so I'd recommend you pose your question there and then everyone will get a chance to chime in with any new info.

Have fun,

Steve

Thanks a bunch Steve,

With a little bit of research it turns out my gear JUST makes it for the carry on allowance in the Pelican 1520. I may look into another carry on that doesnt stand out as much as a pelican case does. Even if your hotel room gets broken into it wont have the "take me sign" right on it!!! Not too much luck for a Canadian insurance company that takes on gear but I will keep poking around.

Thanks again

Kelly

Why? Is it because TSA keys are available to potential thieves?

I do not worry as much about the TSA inspections as they are under surveillance (I have had TSA tapes pulled on my bag before). But locks tell would be thieves there might be something in there.

BTW - here is a picture of a non TSA lock that the TSA could not cut off cause their tools were too dull. They did manage to wreck the zipper pulls.

TSA Idiocy

I now no longer use locks but use electrical wire as ties (#14 copper works great).

I do not worry as much about the TSA inspections as they are under surveillance (I have had TSA tapes pulled on my bag before). But locks tell would be thieves there might be something in there.

I would think that lifting a case weighing 50 lbs would also tell our would be thief that there may be something in there.

I've gone ahead and ordered two locks. Hopefully, I won't have to use my insurance.

Yes, I use cable ties and have noticed that the TSA replaces them but obviously haven't been instructed in how to use them so they don't ever seal the bags!

We in the UK too have specially trained personnel doing heightened security for flights to the USA. They are the people MacDonalds rejected! Read this:

http://www.undercurrent.org/blog/2010/04/2...ity-to-the-usa/

Yes, I use cable ties and have noticed that the TSA replaces them but obviously haven't been instructed in how to use them so they don't ever seal the bags!

We in the UK too have specially trained personnel doing heightened security for flights to the USA. They are the people MacDonalds rejected! Read this:

http://www.undercurrent.org/blog/2010/04/2...ity-to-the-usa/

Dont you just love these kind of people.

Stew

Recently I researched for insurance on my rig and found that I could obtain a personal property "all risk" rider to my homeowners insurance that covered both theft and damage, i.e., flooding. The rider was cheap, about $50/yr. My carrier is USAA which isn't available to everyone, but other companies have similar products. But you must own the house, not be a renter to get this coverage.

Recently I was in Bonaire and was concerned about leaving my rig in the room while out in the evening. As most know, Bonaire has had a crime spree lately with numerous break-ins of hotel and condo rooms. I made a 4' cable of 1/8" stainless cable (wire rope to some) and used compression fitting to make loops in each end. I secured my Pelican to a rigid bathroom pull using the cable and TSA lock. Never had a problem. I stayed at Divi and they had 24 hour security, but I was not impressed with their professionalism.

Locks arrived today. Locks going back tomorrow. These locks just fit on the case which is exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately, the person designing the lock put the TSA keyhole on the back side. With such a tight fit, there is no way to face the keyhole to the front. I tried the lock on two other Pelican cases. No access on 1520. On the 1510 with a shallow lid, the keyhole is accessible if the lock is installed with the body near the lid. If the keyhole was at the bottom like a normal lock, these would have been perfect.

I would think that lifting a case weighing 50 lbs would also tell our would be thief that there may be something in there.

 

I've gone ahead and ordered two locks. Hopefully, I won't have to use my insurance.

Pelican makes a TSA lock that has the key slot on the bottom.

It is a PeliLOCK

Pelican makes a TSA lock that has the key slot on the bottom.

It is a PeliLOCK

I did a google search on PeliLOCK and found 3 versions, some with the same model number. The latest version uses a cable.

But I think I am going to try these next.

Unbelievable. My bright yellow storm case made it to Little Cayman and back with everything on the inside safe and snug. But the locks didn't survive the trip. First lock broke on the trip from Grand Cayman to Little Cayman. The shackle was still on the case, but the body of the lock was missing. The second died on the trip from Miami to SF. Same thing, shackle still holding on, body gone. Oh well, at least the trip was a fun one.