How do other photographers flying interstate/overseas prefer to transport their MF/SLR gear and laptop?
Personally I'd rather haul camera equipment as carry on luggage than check it in to be stored in a plane's cargo hold. I'd be screwed if my gear was lost, mishandled, misplaced or ended up on another flight. I can understand checking in lighting packs, stands, accessories etc. but wouldn't most photog's carry camera essentials on their person?
I'm just curious to hear how others travel and maybe there's a more efficient way?
I normally carry my cameras in a pelican (1510) that fit in the carry-on template and the laptop in another laptop bag and check all the lighting. I' have been able to carry the pelican and the laptop bag always with me. Sometime I'm able to travel with my assistant and he can carry some extra stuff. Carrying anything in the pelican case has been possible until I was using 2 dslr bodies, 4 lenses, small hd and al the other junk that come along, but if I have to travel with a MF camera +back + dslr system as backup, it will be impossible to fit everything in the 1510. If I have to travel to a remote island or location, I do not feel comfortable if I do not have 3 bodies and back up lenses.
I had lighting been delayed to the following flight twice in the past and if you are on a tight schedule that could be a problem.
I know some people that check all the bags in, including cameras. I would never do that.
In any case even if the bag fit in the carry-on template, it does not mean that they will let you carry it on board. Once I was in london flying back to NY with Virgin Atlantic (never again!), and they asked me to put my camera bag on the scale (it was a temba that fitted in the carry-on template) and they said that since it was 12kg and their limit was 7kg I had to check the bag. I explained that there was at least 20 grands worth of equipment in it but they could not care less. after speaking with 2 managers, they still wanted me to check the bag. I had to ask TSA officer intervention and he let me carry the bag with me. I had similar problem with other airlines, but they were more flexible and they let me trough without any fuss.
Since the advent of digital it has become a problem flying with all the equipment and unfortunately clients rarely pay for business or first class ticket these days or they ask to hire an assistant locally where the shoot will be held on order to save on travel expenses.