Traveling with photo gear on US Airlines

Waiting in the terminal at Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport the speaker blares on reminding passengers that this is a small commuter plane, that the overhead bins are small and since the flight is full there will not be room for many types of luggage. Larger cases are suppose to be left at the gate for the airport employees to jump on, throw, climb over, drop, kick, and sit on your luggage. At some point it will be put on the plane where it will freeze and then go through the process again before handing your luggage back to you. Have a great flight and thank you for flying (insert airline name here).

So what's an over-packed photographer to do? First know the FAA and airline rules. Most US domestic airlines have their own rules regarding photographers. Check with your before you go and consider printing out the rules if you think something your bringing will cause problems.

If you look around when you travel I'm sure you all see lots of people who are carrying shopping bags, dog carriers, purses plus backpacks duffles and a wheeled carry-on. And thats just the one lady in front of me in line! The point is most airlines will not hassle you for having a backpack or computer case along with another pack for your camera gear, and in most cases a third carry-on that has your personal effects.

Go ahead, travel with the gear you want and enjoy the photography side of your trip.

Points to Consider:

• FAA has rules regarding batteries do you know what to do? 
  
• Be considerate of others, your gear and hobby or profession can cause a scene or make some people uncomfortable, smile, be polite, ask permission, and be gracious. These skills will get you far.
  
• Don't bring more than you can carry yourself.
  
• Have everything you bring in a case, a monopod carried loose onto a plane is going to cause you problems but in a case makes it somewhat disappear. I carry a tripod case and yes it's long and obvious to photographers at least as to what it is. Try taking it out and carrying it and you may get pulled aside for a search and serious questioning by TSA officials.
  
• Be careful about what you photograph while traveling, some buildings and locations can get you into trouble these days. A long lens on a tripod can really make law enforcement officials and security guards go overboard sometimes, thy may do more than ask you to move along.
  
• Carefully consider what your packing for the kind of photography you do and the weather conditions where your going.
  
• Consider bringing plastic bags to store your gear in while in your case to control humidity and water damage.
  
• Don't over-pack your case, extra pressure on your gear can damage lenses, and allow hard nocks against the case have greater impact on your gear inside.
  
• Try not to bring your large heavy tripod, better yet challenge yourself to find ways not to use a tripod at all. I find it a fun challenge to make everyday objects I find to be my tripod instead of taking one on the plane or trying to get mine in a suitcase.
  
• Have fun, don't let getting your gear to your location overcome you, even if it's a personal or business trip you can still work in some photography without it getting in the way of work or or other obligations.
  
• On business travel try getting up early and staying up late when in cities so you can get outside and take pictures in that great light as well as when fewer people are around.