airline weight

Dave Wooten · Oct 14, 2006

What are current issues....I have heard 50 lbs is that per bag...also I have witnessed some very large baggage recently...also are restrictions different among airlines and international travel...what is your current experiences? thanks

David Brown · Oct 14, 2006

Check with the individual airline. American, for instance, has a detailed page on their website all about this.

david b · Oct 14, 2006

In my recent travels, it was 50 pounds. You are allowed to check two bags. After fighting about a 52 pound bag with the clerk, I pulled my tripod out and the bag weighed 49 pounds. They were happy and I carried my tripod.

I think there was another thread about this.

Dave Wooten · Oct 14, 2006

well that renders some of the larger pelican cases useless for airline use...what they were somewhat designed for...

JBrunner · Oct 14, 2006

I have a big pelican case, and they have never given me trouble for the size, I just stopped using it because it sucks up too much of the weight allowance.

The reduction in the weight allowance was a pure profit move as few people were carrying bags over 75lbs. 50lbs was determined to be a sweet spot where they would be able to nick quite a few people 25 bucks, and save fuel with the people who met the new requirement.

Some airlines have special exceptions for "media" people, and sometimes being a photographer puts you in that class, so it pays to check with the airline your flying.

Dave Wooten · Oct 14, 2006

I have read the airlines web page,,,,,guess I will have to call them...it notes any equipment, i.e. sporting, photography etc, not able to meet the restrictions check with airline....

example....out of London the weight seems different then going to London,,

50 lbs max on some airlines

however originating in London....it is 70 lbs per package

Dave Wooten · Oct 14, 2006

Thanks again all, ok here is more info found I will share ... guess I should have searched further before posting...

You can take all your toys but (as JB says) you have to pay.

max size per bag (United) is 62 inches total length width and height....

you can go up to 114 inches....115 not allowed..

Up to 50 lbs ok...for over there is additional charge up to 100 lbs...100 lbs not accepted.

you can also pay for additional bags etc...so pack all the "stuff" within the size limitations and keep the weight under 100 lbs per bag/case/ and get out your money honey.

Roger Hicks · Oct 14, 2006

Outside the United States, most airlines tend to (a) have carry-on rules and (b) enforce their carry-on rules.

Inside the United States, it is not unknown for the airline to (a) allow virtually anything on, regardless of rules, for the first 50+ passengers and (b) thereafter force you to check cameras, etc., because their luggage racks are already full of stuffed Disney toys the size and weight of a small child.

The only other area I know with the same flexibility (and they are usually more realistic) is the various airlines of the Near East/Persian Gulf.

R. (Who once had to check a 4x5 camera for this very reason)

JBrunner · Oct 14, 2006

Roger Hicks said:
Outside the United States, most airlines tend to (a) have carry-on rules and (b) enforce their carry-on rules.

Inside the United States, it is not unknown for the airline to (a) allow virtually anything on, regardless of rules, for the first 50+ passengers and (b) thereafter force you to check cameras, etc., because their luggage racks are already full of stuffed Disney toys the size and weight of a small child.

The only other area I know with the same flexibility (and they are usually more realistic) is the various airlines of the Near East/Persian Gulf.

R. (Who once had to check a 4x5 camera for this very reason)

Yes, the carryon situation really does seem quite arbitrary, I follow the rules, and it is rather obnoxious when somebody starts crushing my camera bag in the overhead trying to stuff something clearly over the limit in on top of it.

Dave Wooten · Oct 14, 2006

Roger Hicks said:
Outside the United States, most airlines tend to (a) have carry-on rules and (b) enforce their carry-on rules.

Inside the United States, it is not unknown for the airline to (a) allow virtually anything on, regardless of rules, for the first 50+ passengers and (b) thereafter force you to check cameras, etc., because their luggage racks are already full of stuffed Disney toys the size and weight of a small child.

The only other area I know with the same flexibility (and they are usually more realistic) is the various airlines of the Near East/Persian Gulf.

R. (Who once had to check a 4x5 camera for this very reason)

That was my point Roger...on recent trips within the U.S. I observed all manner of baggage "violations" as per what I had read....I usually travel very lightly, however in the near future I will be hauling a bit of good stuff...wooden cameras and lenses etc...which will not go overhead...thus the military spec luggage that can be tossed and abused...

for carry on it seems 9" x 14" x 22" is pretty standard but don t know if your second "personal" item can be that size..I have often carried on 8 x 10 Wista with a few lenses and some holders and film in a 15" x 17" x 7" Off Shore Anglers cordura case-soft with some rigidity fits overhead nicely....it is the checked stuff I was concerned about...I did take my bogen-manfretto 3251 in checked, shipped in the cardboard box it came in and wrapped in duct tape...I took the head assembly and handles off and in with my clothes, it arrived safely from Las Vegas to Key West with a connecting flt to small aircraft...would like to get a hard case for the tripod..

Roger Hicks · Oct 14, 2006

Dave Wooten said:
That was my point Roger...on recent trips within the U.S. I observed all manner of baggage "violations" as per what I had read....I usually travel very lightly, however in the near future I will be hauling a bit of good stuff...wooden cameras and lenses etc...which will not go overhead...thus the military spec luggage that can be tossed and abused...

for carry on it seems 9" x 14" x 22" is pretty standard but don t know if your second "personal" item can be that size..I have often carried on 8 x 10 Wista with a few lenses and some holders and film in a 15" x 17" x 7" Off Shore Anglers cordura case-soft with some rigidity fits overhead nicely....it is the checked stuff I was concerned about...I did take my bogen-manfretto 3251 in checked, shipped in the cardboard box it came in and wrapped in duct tape...I took the head assembly and handles off and in with my clothes, it arrived safely from Las Vegas to Key West with a connecting flt to small aircraft...would like to get a hard case for the tripod..

Dear Dave,

Outside the US it's normally one piece ONLY. Weight limits also go as low as 5 kg/11 lb though normally they enforce volume a LOT more often than weight.

Inside the US it's so arbitrary that the only hope seems to me to be (a) get the individual airline's limits in writing and (b) argue like hell if they don't accept that.

(Hope this doesn't get transferred to the Soap Box as 'America bashing' as it is a simple observation of fact over 25 years)

Cheers,

R.

Dave Wooten · Oct 14, 2006

Playing Hop Scotch

Roger,

I don t consider it bashing at all, as I have observed what seems to be allowances inconsistent with published requirements....now I see that standard weight leaving London on United is 2 checked and max limit weight 70 lbs each...going from DC to London is 2 checked and max weight is 50 lbs each...well I guess I should just leave room for 40 lbs total of some good single malt for the return flight! Life is not so bad...

Roger Hicks · Oct 14, 2006

Dave Wooten said:
...allowances inconsistent with published requirements....well I guess I should just leave room for 40 lbs total of some good single malt for the return flight! Life is not so bad...

Dear Dave,

Absolutely! ALL airlines are inconsistent/dishonest about this, but some are worse than others.

Are you a Laphroaig drinker (note to lurkers -- pronounced 'Lafroyg')? If so, watch out for unexpected house guests from France...

Cheers,

R.

Dave Wooten · Oct 14, 2006

Roger Hicks said:
Dear Dave,

Absolutely! ALL airlines are inconsistent/dishonest about this, but some are worse than others.

Are you a Laphroaig drinker (note to lurkers -- pronounced 'Lafroyg')? If so, watch out for unexpected house guests from France...

Cheers,

R.

Yes there are quite a few puggers in the froyg house!

markbb · Oct 16, 2006

I seem to remember being told there was a weight limit of 35Kg per item for standard checked baggage at Heathrow for health & safety reasons, anything over that has to go by special handling. I remember being at Cairo international airport in the 80s; waiting to meet a new arrival. Watching people come out of luggage reclaim with fridges was so normal that one got used to it - but I do recall seeing people with automatic washing machines, ovens & once a sofa on their baggage trolleys!

Dave Wooten · Oct 16, 2006

Well I could use a new fridge/freezer for my film.

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