I think it’s time for a new thread on this subject. The conversation and many of the recommendations in the older pegged thread in many cases no longer applies.

If we are to comply with the current carry on restrictions now in place it appears that our standard practice of carrying on our rigs is going to be impossible. I’d like to know what you folks are thinking.

I’d like to understand our options and see if we can come up with a recommended approach that would allow us to protect the gear, continue to do what we do with as few hassles as possible and not have to “cheat” our way on board.

My first assumption is that we’re limited to two 23kg (50 lb) checked bags. More critically one carry-on bag seems to be the wave of the future. A quick check of some of the typical airlines we fly shows they are grouping around a single 7kg (15lbs) bag that meets the international size requirement. (Total measurement of 115cm/45" or about 56 x 36 x 23 (22” x 14” X 9”). Some airlines are slightly more accommodating at 10kg (22lbs) up to 18kg (40lbs).

For those that can swing it flying business class can help a lot. Cathay Pacific goes to a 10kg (22lbs) carry on and 70lbs checked bag limit if you upgrade. (Save those miles ). They also define an additional personal item (laptop?) of 9 lbs.

My Sea& Sea 40D rigged up and ready to go in the water, weighs in at 28lbs. I have always carried on the camera bodies, lenses, housing, ports, strobes, laptop, portable hard drive, and associated cables and paraphernalia. Easily 50 lbs total. My dive gear bag seemingly always weighs in at 50 lbs with some spare arms and tools/o-rings thrown in. So my two bags are filled with dive gear and rig.

My initial thought to pack the housing, ports and strobes in a nice Storm case (IM2750?)to go as baggage seems to fall apart when you note that the case weighs 22 lbs with the padding. Not to mention the box seems to scream “steal me”.

So here’s my plan, carry on my camera and lenses in a paper bag (to save weight). Pack the rig in a ultra light suitcase with helium filled bubble plastic. Dive naked and buy a couple of tee shirts when I get there.

Anybody else have a better idea?

Cheers,
Steve

My dilema too Steve...

In the UK the charter airlines serving Red Sea desinations seem to be rigidly imposing a 5kg (10.2 lbs) carry-on. As divers we are 'so generously' allowed an additional 5 kgs checked baggage on top of our standard allowance of 20 kgs. But here's the rub... The maximum bag weigh allowed is 23 kgs so to take full advantage of the extra 5 kgs means another bag!

On the flip side, we can buy an extra 20 kgs 'watersport' bag so the odd 2 kgs could be allocated to that I guess. But a Peli is going to eat half of that before any goodies get stuffed inside.

Anyone done any research on determining the lightest variant of checked camera luggage?

Get a photographers vest and stuff anything you can in it and wear your BC and maybe 3 or 4 t-shirts and pairs of shorts in layers!!!!
Andy

Most of my overseas trips are LAX-Cancun. For a while now, I have been saving up the airmiles and flying mexicana business which is 3bags of I think 70 pounds each checked ?

I think most of the carryon restrictions for most countries are being relaxed a bit since the recent "events"

I know domestic is getting ever and ever tougher with employees roaming the airport sizing up carryons and making you check them, and all the fees of course (worse for me as I fly american but go to seattle a lot and have to fly alaska air so I have to pay for checked bags)

realistically I have to carry the video housing (L&M Blufin HD or pay ridiculous fees).
I check the HID lights

For stills, the camera body, lenses and domes are whatr I want to carry, and I am willing to check the strobes and housing body

I have a LowePro camera bag that was recommended to me. It is a padded roller bag that came with padded dividers. The closest match I can get on the lowePro site is the x300

I am able to get two complete setups, sans camera and lenses in at 50 pounds. In addition to the supplied padded dividers, I use foam padding around the cases. It would be no problem to get a complete setup in but I prefer to carry-on the cameras and lenses.

I carry the cameras in a very light backpack. I don't fill it so full that it bulges. Nobody ever bothers with it. I have a very light roller bag <5 pounds that I carry my laptop, mask and reg set. Total weight is below 15 pounds because I have a 5 pound laptop and a T2 reg set.

Regards,

I might add that the LowePro x300 is 14.6 pounds and is airline compatible if you don't use the big front pocket. The padding is less than 5 pounds That gives one over 30 pounds of housing, strobe, arms, ports etc.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Pro-Ro...300,2164,16.htm

What bags are you guys using to check the housings etc.? The old standby Samsonite Flite that the pelican foam would fit in is too big now. I found a lightweight carbon fiber Zero Haliburton but $2500 seems a bit steep.

Steve

Tom,
Do you check the Lowepro?

On my last dive trip (Alaska to BC (Vancouver, Victoria and Barkley Sound) via Seattle) I used this f64 backpack (minus the side pockets) to carry my D2X Seacam housing, two ports (one was mounted), and two strobes. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/9169...ack_Black_.html This was a carry-on.

Some small items went into the lid pockets and small spaces between larger items.

My 17" Mac laptop went in a separate bag, my 'personal item'. In it was a 2nd body (other body was in the housing), lenses, external HD, various power adapters and cords. I have since replaced this bag (5 years old) with an f-stop Maverick (using it at the moment as I am on a non-diving trip). The Maverick will easily fit a full sized 35mm form factor camera along with the laptop.

Either bag fits under a window 737 seat.

I had two 50# check-in bags. As I was doing dry suit diving they were full as my gear is XL sized.

I have an XXL Domke vest that I might bring on my next trip as a bag BU!

Tom,
I hate to think about trying to get a dry suit in under the weight limit. Doesn't your carry on break the 15lb limit?

Steve

Probably. I have never had my carry-ons weighed. Being rather large (> 100 kg), they look small on me. Picking bags up with one finger helps as well!!

Julie and I seem to be the odd ones out. We check our housings, ports, strobes, etc. Only the camera body and lenses go with us. Also, I think paying for an extra bag is just the way it is, and should be calculated into the price of a trip. We always assume we have to pay, and if we dont, thats money saved.

Good thread Steve!

On my next trip shooting sailfish in Mexico I plan to carry-on only one bag with the bare necessities for shallow wide angle shooting (camera, housing, dome, 16-35mm, 15mm, charger, laptop).
I'll carry a second bag to the check-in counter with the rest of the high dollar equip. in case they allow a second bag....If they limit to one bag I'll save room in one of my checked bags to put those non-essentials and hope they don't get stolen....if they do it's insured and I'm not without a rig to shoot.

I'm not sure if any bag/case even with TSA locks will deter thieves since they are probably in business with the folks x-raying the bags.

Oh and Steve, please don't dive naked!

Mike

I check the LowePro every time. It is WAY to big for carry-on.

When it came I measured it and, by my measurements, it was slightly over the airline size limits. I removed everything from the outside. It had tripod holders and other stuff. Once I did that it was within airline size limits.

The inside dividers were more setup for cameras and lenses, not housings and strobes. I carefully packed the bag and setup a compartment for everything that I wanted to carry. I get an Ikelite case, a seatool case and a olympus case in the bag plus three Inon Z-240 strobes plus various other stuff. (I can't get the Ikelite strobes in).

Looking at the packed bag I felt that the sides and back were strong enough to resist crushing but I was concerned about the top where the zipper is. I purchased some foam and put it inside the bag so that the shock from a piece of luggage thrown on top would be attenuated.

Originally I did not use the outside compartment. Then I experimented and found that nobody cares if the outside compartment doesn't bulge. I pack clothes that will lay flat in the outside compartment. This also provides a cushon for the top.

I will post a few pictures if people want to look.

Regards,

Have always checked in Housing, 6" Dome, Flat Ports, Arms and strobes in a 1520 Pelican case. Pelican fits inside a hard sided suitcase, padding is a partially inflated BC on one side, a cheap (and light) Ikea pillow on the other. Ikea sells a nice plastic cover that fits over the Aquatica 8" Dome and Dome shade and that goes in the suitcase as well. I use the Thinktank Streetwalker Hard Drive backpack (4.5lbs empty) and that holds 2 bodies with grip, 5 lenses, 1 Speedlight and a Dell Studio laptop. Comes in at around 45lbs.

I leave my wetsuit & fins in the Philippines (yes, nice to have that luxury) . Chargers, batteries etc go in 2nd checked bag with clothing. Another solution for me is to fly on Philippine Airlines (since YVR is only port of Entry into Canada) as they have the Sportsman's package where a $100/year membership allows you an extra checked bag for the duration. They do fly to other parts of Asia so it's not limited to PI trips. Traveling with my wife (diver but P&S photographer, not DSLR) helps distribute the weight as well.

All these new restrictions have certainly made changes in my travel plans, mainly to avoid flying to the US, will rather drive to Bellingham or Seattle and fly out from there, actually my wife and I are now planning on driving down instead of flying to see my sis-in-law in Napa....nice excuse to drive the 101.


Stu

You might not want to read the rest of this

I generally shove the halves (thirds) into my regular luggage with drysuit, regs etc. etc. wrapped in towels/clths/underwear !

I have fitted a standard hardcase samsonite with foam. It has survived over 5 years of traveling so far, and so have our housings/strobes/dome/flatports.

Is this the big Lowepro your describing Tom? http://products.lowepro.com/product/Pro-Ro...300,2164,16.htm

Cor, I guess a third bag is the simplest way to go but how do you transport/ pack your gear to fly in the belly of the plane?

Your right of course Mike, I can probably find room for a speedo. Don't want to scare the fish

Stu leaving half your stuff in the Philippines is cheating but a great answer for you.

Thanks to Jen and Joel, a Scottevest is definitely a good option to consider. I checked out the website and it looks very interesting.

My baseline assumption is that it is possible to do what we do and still comply with all the regs. A bunch of us have been working at the edges and just getting by on our good looks and smiling faces. I'm thinking that this latest attempt to bring down a plane is going to result in much more restriction and monitoring. The folks flying international today are getting patted down at least once if not twice. I'm afraid more scrutiny is in our future. On top of that, Janet Napolitano the head of the DHS here in the US said that the goal will be to make the security system more unpredictable. (Ouch!)

The answer is out there somewhere, lighter suitcases, carbon fiber tripods, ditch the heavy fins, etc. My main concern is still how to get the housing and ports there safely.

Steve

For over 5 years I have packed dSLR systems in a plain jane Samsonite Oyster case with a Pelican 1620 Padded Diver Set inside. (pics below)

I make it look ugly as hell even putting duct tape on the latches. I tape extra duct tape inside the lid avoiding having to carry a roll too.

It's been inspected but nothing has ever gone missing. I lay a paper with my itinerary inside, too.

The rounded corners smush the edges a bit but here's the max I have shipped in it all over the world.

* Multiple versions dSLR housing (Ikelite with dual handle and tray)

* At least 2-3 ports / domes including 8"

* Two DS125 (now DS161) units with arms, 2 dual cords, 1-2 single cords, 2 chargers, huge plastic bag with parts to totally replace every single o-ring on my housing (and fellow Ikelite shooters)

* Double AA chargers if needed plus some NiMH AA batteries. Avg. 8 with 8 more in my carry on.

* Swim suits, flip slops microfiber towels, even some shirts.

Max weight this case has ever been when checked - 48 lbs. The case itself maybe weights 8-9 lbs. compared to what my actual Pelican 1620 started out at!

I carry on lenses, cameras, flash units, iPhone / iPod etc. in small padded cases thrown into the lightest backpack I own. Frees up my hands for the Samsonite and a roller dive bag that also has my clothes. The dive / clothes bag has never been over 50 lbs. either. And yes, I take a couple of nice shirts for dinners, one pair of slacks plus maybe wear a pair of jeans flying, etc.

Like Cor said I always figure in the cost of checking 2 bags if the airline I'm flying charges for them. Just the the cost of travel.....

I also NEVER schedule connections very tight plus allow some slop time upon arriving if a bag goes missing on the outbound leg. Coming home I don't care as I carry my images home with me and the UW stuff is insured anyway....

One last thing, no laptop these days. iPhone gets Wifi for the limited amount of emailing I want to do. I have contemplated getting a used older MacBook but so far haven't felt the need to. Multiple memory cards at today's low prices work fine.

I carry the cord to connect my cameras to a TV and do a purge each day or so of the obvious crap shots. Then work on them once home when I can use a bigger screen and be comfortable

YMMV

dhaas
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

Jep, that's it. Works great. You just have to carefully set it up.

Thanks David! It's a beautiful thing. Between you and Cor I'm sensing a trend. Thanks guys

Click to view attachmentI apologize for the photographs. All I had was macro lenses.

Shot 1-The LowePro stuffed to the gills at slightly less than 70#. AS a Continental elete frequent flyer I get 2 x 70# and Continental doesn't care much if the case is slightly bigger than standard. This was a trip to the Philippines. Unfortunately Continental no longer flys to Bali. To get below the elite 61# limit of economy 50# I simply and meet size regulations, don't use the outside pocket or use it sparingly.
Shot 2-The jumble of stuff in a opened case. The bag comes with padded dividers that need to be reconfigured for cases and strobes.
Shot 3-Closeup of dividers

Since we're posting photos Im traveling in four days so this is all ready to go. This bag holds:

• 2 x D2x housings
• 4 x YS110 strobe
• 2 x DP-FE2 domeport
• 2 x DP-FP flatport

We have 4, but travel with only 2 of these and 2 duffel bags these days. The other holds dive gear, which doubles as a 'all wet stuff' bag on the way back. We use duffel bags for clothes and stuff because we have found out you can fit more stuff in them So between 2 people we have 4 bags. We also always carry an empty duffel bag with us. Each bag is around 50 pounds, so we carry about 200 pounds between 2 people. These hardcase bags are pretty light, but super strong. As you can see, it can hold some more stuff, but we dont.

Hey Cor... nice shoes!

I am missing my little Nikonos V with the 15 mm lens and twin SB 105's more and more. Maybe TSA or the airlines will be the impetus for the digital Nikonos V or RS.
Ah - to dream...
Andy

I use a photo backpack (can't remember which model Tamrac it is) in which I carry my housing, camera, lenses, 1 port, 2 strobes, batteries, chargers, etc. Basically I can shoot one lens (60mm or 105mm) with dual Z240's with what I carry-on....plus my laptop fits in it too. My regulator, computer and misc cords go in my my "personal item" bag. My backpack weighs way over 15 lbs, but I have found that some airlines will weigh traditional carry-ons....but not back packs. Of course you have to workout so when you sling it around it looks light :-).

Hi,
I travel with a lowpro Vertex 300 AW. I manage to get in 2x Sea&Sea 250 strobes + spare batteries, + cords, Sealux D200 Housing, Strobe arms, 1 domeport, 1 flatport, 3 extensionrings and 2 batterie chargers.
For emergency I have the Stealth photovest http://www.stealth-gear.com/products/photo...photo-vest.html I manage to get the 2 strobes, domport, flatport 2 spare batterries, and 2 extensionrings in the photovest. The rest stays in the bagpack



Rob

I use a Tamrac Speedroller 2 which is 45" overall and thus (mostly) carry-on legal. I can fit all the u/w gear in it: housing, 2 YS-250's, FE2 dome port (snug in it's own tupperware container), flat port, 3 extension rings, focus light, Stix arms and floats, sync cords, extra batteries and chargers. Best of all, it's pretty non-descript. Of course, it weighs 45 lbs! I've had it weighed once (DPS-LAX), but I begged and pleaded my way into taking it on. I know it's only a matter of time before it's taken away and relegated to the hold, but I've taken a good look at it and I'm (relatively) confident it'll be fine. My scuba gear and minimal clothes always weighs in at 50 lbs. (OK, sometimes 52 or 53) and is my only checked bag, so if my roller is taken away from me, I still have that bag in my allowance.

One thing I'm thinking of more and more is avoiding it being weighed at all. Coming from San Diego, I fly through LAX often. If possible, I like to schedule a little short-hopper from SAN to LAX so I get to check in at the sleepy little SD commuter terminal, even for connecting international flights. That way I have my boarding pass in hand for the long leg out of LAX and can avoid the evil gate agent. However, this doesn't help on the return.

After seeing Cor and Julie's set-up on a recent trip, I may just give in, go that route and just start checking the u/w photo gear - hauling around a 45 lbs. roller is a pain!

In a LowePro backpack I have my laptop, 2 camera bodies, lenses, back up hard drive and a little room for a book and emergency toiletries. Then again, this weighs in at 22 lbs.

Phil

Thanks for all the pictures and ideas guys. I'm still hung up on the 15lbs carry on. I finally gave in and just started weighing combinations. The best answer I've got so far looks like this.

Carry on
2 bodies, with these lenses; 60mm, 100mm, Tokina 10-17, 17-40L, 70-200 f/4L, and a 580EX flash along with a CF Card holder in a 3 lb backpack weighs in at 14.8lbs. I'm liking the look of the Think Tank Shape Shifter pack so I could still carry the laptop (my personal item) in one package. If you wear a Scottevest or similar you could find a spot for the other stuff like phone, gps, ipod, portable hard drives, etc. and still fully comply with the requlation.

My rig bag (Samsonite) will support 2 housings, ports and domes, 2 YS-250's and 2 110's along with the arms and the foam to hold it will come in right at 50lbs.

Anybody have a good source for thick pick & pluck foam sheets?

Cheers,
Steve

Hi Steve
good to get this subject updated!

Here in the UK the typical weight allowance on flights is 20kg, with an additional 5kg for divers upon production of their dive certification.

My MO is to pack my housing (wrapped in lots of bubble-wrap) and my dome (held securely within a cake-tin!) into the middle of my check-in suitcase, along with a plastic tool box that contains batteries, chargers, stobe arms, etc.

Into my Lowepro Stealth Reporter 300 goes my camera, lenses, port, strobes and MacBook:


And on the top of that rests my 'secret weapon', the Domke vest:


Upon arrival at the desk my first gambit is to put the check-in case on the scales and enquire if it's going to be OK. If not - and I've been carefully watching my check-in girl whilst queuing to see if she's getting passengers to weigh their carry-on too - I'll then produce the vest and explain that I'm a regular flyer, if I'm going to be charged for being over the weight limit I'll simply transfer all the items required into my vest and cargo pants. I also politely point out the obvious: that the same weight is going on the plane irrespective of the method of embarkation but that allowing me to leave it inside the cases means 'my fellow passengers and me will be less inconvenienced and that will credit her company against those who are soooo petty-minded as to insist I put the items into my pockets"!

So far this method has worked 4 out of the last 5 trips; the 5th time the girl insisted I carry all the excess in my vest, which I did until out of her sight - and then returned the items to the carry-on bag........

R

Are there new security rules for carry on bags? I hear that some air lines are not allowing carry ons when returning to the US. What are people doing with lap tops, cameras etc on returning to the US? What are people experiencing now? I'm trying to plan for a long trip.

There was some discussion in this thread and I guess we all will find out more in the coming weeks and months.

[Moderator note: Threads merged for clarity]

Brilliant! Thanks for the idea Ralphy. I never thought to try logic at an airline counter.

The website is looking good by the way!

Cheers,
Steve

Steve:
I am not so sure that logic at the counter will work in any way, but I think that for the most part and excepting Brisbane you shouldn't worry too much about the 15 lbs limit. In a recent trip to the Philippines, through HK and Manila our backpacks were weighed but we were asked were there computers in them. We said yes (the 50D has a computer in it, right) and they smiled and let us on. We haven't been asked to check backpacks for overweight except in Brisbane and there it wasn't at the counter but rather at the security gate. No exceptions on what was in the bag, it had to be checked. For what its worth for many years we checked everything in a nice Storm case (now owned by Pelican) and with stickers from all over the world and never had issues except for TSA thinking it was a pelican case and trying to force open the latches. I like Cor's approach but if you think about the risks of stuff getting stolen, the security guys can either open the bag or x-ray it and so even if it looks like a piece of crap, they will know what's in it. For now at least, I think we will keep the ThinkTanks for carry on of a simple setup to take some pics if everything else gets stolen.

Bill

I've been struggling with this mentally (not had another chance to dive yet) as well. I hate the idea of checking gear that can be stolen, but what it probably comes down to is - do we think TSA is doing the theiving, or the baggage handlers? I'd tend to argue that the primary theft risk is the latter, in which case its a matter of middirection as dhaas and cor are doing with ugly, non-photo-like checkable luggage. Anything in a rather obvious 'equipment case' looking bag might get rifled thru.

Breakage is then the second issue - still hoping I can get onboard with my Vertex AW300 with at least the more delicate stuff: lenses and camera bodies. Strobes, arms, housing and the like may well have to get shifted to the checked bag (which will almost automatically be overweight and get charged then) to get the carryon weight back down, if the limits really do get dropped. Last I checked American's site, dream-planning a Belize trip just last week, the regs were the same as they'd always been.

It seems like every 2-3 years the is a report of busting AA baggage handlers in San Juan. Less eyeballs in that area. Even with increased security, this continues to happen.
Bob

I just got back on saturday (Jan 16) from a trip to Little Cayman and didn't notice any changes in carry on allowance, at least on American Airlines. Checked the regulations before after hearing all the hub-ub, and same 40lbs carry-on with 1 personal item.

My carry on:
http
://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4227..._HDV_Case.html
with kata's roller dolly thingy.
with: Aquatica D700 housing with hard drive (wrapped in microfiber towel) inside
9.25" dome, macro port, 2x inon z-240's, nikon 300mm f/2.8 (for birds), D300 body
weighed in around +/-40lbs

my personal item may be pushing it but had no trouble:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5622...in_1_Sling.html
with: D700, 24-70mm f/2.8, tokina 11-16mm, sigma 15mm FE, 3 TC's, 60mm, 105mm, 70-200mm, flash.
weighed in around 19lbs.

my gf carried my laptop in her carry-on. arms, extension rings etc went in the checked bags.

this definitely exceeded requirements but had no trouble going Bermuda-Miami-Grand Cayman-Little Cayman and back. Had to check the large carry-on for the Otter plane to little cayman but can check it and pick it up at the plane. that was ok. cheers,

chris

Hi Steve
you're welcome on the idea.

And thanks to you, I'm going to review the site; it's been far too long since I freshened it up!!!!!!

Cheers

Ralph

Thanks Chris for updating us on a recent US flight. I'm with Richard and hate the idea of putting the housings in the hold but if you have to do it when flying international to the far east it makes sense to follow Cor's plan. We've got a trip coming up this summer that's got something like 10 flights in the itenerary for the month in Indo. That's why I'm really trying to nail this down. Has anybody shipped the gear over to Indo recently? UPS or FEDEX, something like that? Is that a real option?

Bill I think the problem in the past has been a few bad apples among the baggage guys. Hard for me to believe the Security folks would be a real concern. I still wouldn't go through San Juan if they paid me.

Cheers,
Steve

When we did Little Cayman in September, I took my normal complement of gear: 1 Carry on with housing, body, 60mm, port, 1 strobe, chargers, laptop, regulator, dive computer, mask, 15" laptop: 36 lbs. 2 rolling bags with clothes and dive gear, my other lenses, spare body, 8" dome: 40 pounds each.

When we go to Galapagos in May they will have a restriction of 22 lbs. for carryon and 75 pounds checked luggage, so I will have to "consolidate" a bit. I'm thinking of carrying on my Lowepro flipside 400 (it weighs 3 1/2 pounds empty) with as much camera gear as I can get into it and stay under 22 pounds. I have a Dell Mini 9 with OSX on it for a nice little 2 1/2 pound travel computer.

I'm thinking of buying one of these for housing and other camera breakables plus clothes:

http://www.ebags.com/travelers_choice/rome...?modelid=143396

Only 10 lbs and hardshell.

My other bag for dive gear the REI Wheely Beast and it's been on several trips with me -- tough and light at 9 lbs. 8 oz.

If I have to pay more for my checked luggage, so be it. My gamble is going to be that thieves might not be as interested in my housing and strobes as my camera and lenses, so I'll keep my body and lenses in the carryon. Personally, I wish the airlines would charge for carryons instead of luggage; more people would check bags and I would gladly pay for my camera/computer gear to keep it safe.

This is an interesting read - or at least jealousy inducing!

Standard UK policy at the moment seems to be:

Up to 20-23kg Check in baggage (per person)
1 item hand luggage* (max 5kg, 56 centimetres tall (22 inches), 45 centimetres wide (17.7 inches), 25 centimetres deep (10 inches))

However even some of the scheduled airlines are now considering going down the Ryanair route and charging for any checked in baggage.

*most airlines

Indestructable stuff goes in the checked luggage whch consists of 2 softsided regular suitcases. Housing, ports, cameras go into two carryons. 1 a pelican 1510 which will fit under the seat if you get an over zealous agent. The other is a lowepro backpack to store the bodies, laptop, lenses and regulator. I've been leaning toward replacing this with a good photogs vest and checking a few more items as to avoid the carryon weight limit discussion because it usually weighs 40lbs. Most of the times backpacks get a free pass. I've even taken to wearing the camera around my neck when boarding...very touristy look but no one seems to question it. Hmmm maybe its time to break out the parachute pants again.

Looking at David's and Cor's solutions I bit the bullet and invested in a couple of Samsonites.

After much indecision I chose Aeris Comfort Uprights (http://www.samsonite.co.uk/aeris-comfort/aeris-comfort-upright-64cm-23inch/product-en.htm?or=9802135241&od=2113835321#) for CJ and me. The Aeris Uprights have a single set of low profile wheels, not castors, which seem less likely to be damaged in transit. TSA locks and supplimentary latches are useful too. Stripped of their clothes intended linings and bags (which come out easily using 'star' keys and could be replaced if the cases were ever needed for their conventional purpose) they weigh in at a travel friendly 3.8 kgs. They easily accomodate an Ike housing and dual tray, 4" dome and flat ports, a couple of INONs and a Fisheye focus light and there's some room left for a few bits a pieces.

HTH, Tim

I have one of those new waterproof lightweight coats, it has 9 rather cleverly concealed pockets, one of the pockets is one I got tailored on, its on the lower left inside portion and will take my 13" macbook air , all the other pockets I fill with my lenses and adapters and also have my camera and one lens around my neck, when I'm thru check in, I put it all in my oakley backpack, including my coat, and nobody questions it anymore, along with the 5 kilos of toiletries my wife buys after check in in Boots, also in the same bag(s) I have my ports and housing, and strobe heads, these are wrapped in cut to suit pieces of yoga mat sponge and parcel taped up, it protects it all very well, of course I pack a spare roll of tape just in case security get curious and also for the return trip. Sad to say, its in my wife's hand luggage roller hard case as well, so only works if I am travelling with her. If I travelled on my own maybe I can let the strobe heads go in the checked luggage and just buy a bar of soap and a shaver I could be ok tho!
I got a tip of a roses tin on here once, the 8" dome port and shade fits in one of these very nicely with the lid taped down.

ETA..I also have my small lowepro in my backpack that holds the body and 3 lenses at a squeeze, when I'm past check-in

Lots of great solutions. Maybe a thread of "Who weighed your carry-on?" should be next. For us it has been Qantas 2 out of 6 times and made us repak, Air-Pacific 1 out of 4, Air Niugini 2 out of 4.

The constant changing of the rules seems crazy and reminds me of a saying you have all likely heard before.
When I was young, the world seemed normal and people took LSD to make it appear crazy.
Now the world is crazy and people take Prozac to make it seem normal.

Just bought one of these to be my second "carry on":



http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/New_Travel_Vest.shtml

Since a lot of airlines are only allowing 1 carry on now for International travel.

It is a very nice piece of gear John. Joel posted a couple of pictures of everything he stuffed into one on his recent trip to Bali. It's here if you want to take a look. about halfway down the thread.

I bought a tan one, works great with my Ipod

Cheers,
Steve

I used a ScottEVest on my last dive trip. I crammed a lot of stuff into it, including 2 portable hard drives, a paperback novel, glasses, sunglasses, antimalarial pills and other prescriptions, cash, tickets, boarding passes, passport, a couple of Power Bars, keys, business cards, pens, phone, etc. There was room for more. I didn`t have any issues when it passed through the x-ray machines, though one security person thought it was a bag, it had so much stuff in it.

I didn`t trust it with any lenses because the material didn`t seem thick enough to handle the weight. I put my laptop, camera, lenses, arms & clamps and macro port in my carry-on bag, and then my disassembled housing in a small camera bag.

I'm on the lookout for a vest that has a slip in pocket on the back to take a 17 inch notebook from check-in through security to the plane.