Hello Mike
This might be of no help to you but i'll pass on my advice.
I've found whilst travelling around at home and abroad on assignments, that Hard case's aren't always the best option.
My reasoning for this is.
If at all possible i like to keep my photographic gear where i can see it and know that it not being miss treated by some heavy handed baggage handler.
I've seen on too many occasions, my camera gear packed into a Pelicase being abused by baggage handlers dispite Fragile warning stickers.
in some instance's its actually fell of the belt whilst going up the ramp to the aircraft !!!! to my horror.
yes the contents were ok which proves that hard case's withstand a hit, but i'm not sure what would have happen had anything really fragile like a Lens been in there.
if you've ever watched the guys at work handling baggage, they aren't the most gentle of people. I understand this as they often don't have the time to be.
so what i now do it pack all my gear into soft baggage and take it with me into the aircraft. that way i know its safe.
I generally manage to get into the cabin
Housing (with camera body inside)
Flash Guns 2x Sb-105's
Dome Port & macro ports
Spare camera body & 3 or 4 lenses.
batteries and chargers
laptop
the rest of the no distructable items go in my hold luggage only retaining retaining just enough to complete the job should my hold luggage go missing, (sync cord) & Minimum Strobe arm.
I pack all my gear into Lowepro Baggage, the Nova 5 Series is ideal for a housing complete with its dome attached, as i never travel alone i come to an agreement with the other person to use my second item of cabin luggage as there own, Usually this is the a rucksac type camera bag.
So far i've never had a problem at all, Here in the Uk we have a limit on cabin baggage of 5Kg. normally the Check In staff rarely weigh this, as the bags look small enough so they dont bother.
however, i always carry plastic carrier bags, just in case i'm a little over, you can always get the checkin people to agree to spliting bags up so that they are within the accepted allowance.
at times even this will not do, but i still have a trick up my sleeve that i use on them.
ask to speak to the supervisor or the airline rep, Explain the situtaion and the basically blind them with a little science. like
Ok , whats stopping me now going into the DUTY FREE or shops and Buying at least 3-4ltrs of Alcoholic drinks, Lots of electronic items and anything else thats available whilst you sit in departure ?
then explain the weight of that to them.
1 ltr of water weighs 1KG forget all the dissovled sugar making is more dense !! plus the weight of the glass that its contained in. x this by 3 bottles, that's about 6Kg's in drink i could carry as well not to mention all the other goodies
i then promise them that i will not buy any Bottled alcohol... this usually arrest's the problem dead in its tracks, and i walk away a happy man !!!
Oh and always be extremely polite to them.
I always like to know that all my camera gear is safe and sound and is enjoying the flight just as much as I am, and not sitting inside the hold feeling very unwell.
Look after your gear & it will look after you.
regards
Craig
