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Professional photographers

South San...
3 posts
Professional photographers
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This question is more for photographers who often travel: knowing how "secure" TSA locks are, what do professionals use to secure their checked luggage(Pelican cases I'm assuming) containing their expensive equipments?

London, United...
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1. Re: Professional photographers
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You should not put anything of value in the hold, nearly every airline I know of states that and will not accept liability if anything is stolen, which there is a fairly good chance it will be.

A lock is going to make absolutely no difference to a thief, they will just take the bag. Remember they scan it and can see whats in there. If you cant take it as hand luggage then you need to find another way to transport valuables ie courier to your destination.

If you do insist on putting it in the hold you will need to check very carefully if your insurance will cover you for theft of it as you have chosen to do so against airline recommendations.

Portland, Oregon
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2. Re: Professional photographers
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lolo,

You could try posting on the Business Travel forum, just in case someone sees it there, or I'd suggest professional photography forums. There must be pros in the same situation as you.

You're going to need to look for special services from airlines because as a regular passenger you're not going to get any assistance under their T+Cs. Any checked bag can be broken into if wrong'uns want to, and one person recently reported he had his tripod lifted from his checked bag.

Otherwise, from this amateur photographer, stick to two lenses and choose them wisely. And think about renting equipment at your destination :-)

Sri Lanka
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3. Re: Professional photographers
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Im not a professional photographer but travel with some semi (inexpensive to some/expensive to others!) expensive kit and would never check it in always carry as hand luggage. Would not trust it in the hold, but if you have to make sure your well insured.

Bingley, United...
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for Edinburgh
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4. Re: Professional photographers
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You really need to ask on a photography forum, but I wouldn't trust anything essential or valuable to checked luggage.

Have you considered shipping it as freight as for some reason the TSA doesn't seem to think bombs go that way & hence doesn't check them

Romford, United...
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Just asked a pal of mine that is currently doing a shoot in the USA what method he uses as he works globally, going to disregard his always travel first class answer as not really useful!!! will get back to you asap

Edited: 10 years ago
Romford, United...
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OP-Just heard back,he carries cameras,lenses and speed lights in his hand luggage that way he always has the essentials,in the hold he puts stands,tripods and accessories etc (security don't like stands), pack everything in a sturdy case ( his are custom made) and that's just about all your can do-clients understand if some gets lost or damaged as you have covered all bases

Edited: 10 years ago
East Sussex, United...
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<<<< Have you considered shipping it as freight as for some reason the TSA doesn't seem to think bombs go that way & hence doesn't check them>>>>

I can assure you that air freight/cargo is rigorously checked/screened before it gets loaded on to an aircraft.

London, United...
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>>Have you considered shipping it as freight as for some reason the TSA doesn't seem to think bombs go that way & hence doesn't check them<<

I think that was written as a joke, right?

East Sussex, United...
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^^^ I would hope so Froggy. From my 20 odd years in the air freight industry with an airline I can assure you that security is taken very seriously.

Brooklyn, New York
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for Brooklyn
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10. Re: Professional photographers
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Simple.

You don't check photography equipment.

Full stop!

Edited: 10 years ago