Shipping Camera on Airline

[rmjranch]

I am going to be traveling by air. Too much equipment to carry on. Will be a few Hasselblad bodies, lenses, backs, all film in Xray proof shields, etc.

#1 What would be your first choice for a hard sided shipping case that I am going to check?

#2 Once I arrive at the destinations, I will not be able to work out of the hard case. I will take soft sided camera bags in my other luggage. Should I pack the gear in the soft sided cases, and put them into a hard luggage case, not a camera luggage case? If yes, what case or brand of luggage would you recommend?

Which do you think will better protect the gear? Price is not a problem.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wallendo]

I would not put any film in checked baggage, even in an X-Ray bag. If TSA can't see inside the bags, they will turn up the X-Rays until they do. If that doesn't work, they will open up your luggage and search the bag by hand (although these people are generally honest, I wouldn't want anyone else unpacking and repacking my stuff if it can be avoided).
I can't recommend any hard cases as I have little experience with that. I generally carry on any valuable equipment and only check equipment I can easily replace.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

If you are really concerned get a Pelikan case, or two. Anything short of that is asking for trouble since every bag will get thrown. You could try to gate check the cameras. Sometimes that works and they are less likely to be stolen.

Skip the Xray bags. Carry the film on the plane with you in standard zip lock freezer bags.

 

[bdial]

My picks would be a Pelikan case with fitted foam, or a Halliburton also with fitted foam. Either would be sturdy enough and both have good track records in that sort of application. However the airlines have managed to damage two of my Halliburton suitcases, FWIW.

Keep in mind that you cannot lock checked baggage any longer (you can, but it has to be a lock that TSA can open, if they can open it, anyone else who is equipped can too).
Instead of checking bags, I'd be inclined to ship the stuff between destinations with FedEx or perhaps UPS. With the baggage fees the airlines now charge, it might be cheaper even with overnight service. Take anything you must have immediately on arrival in carry-on, and ship the rest of it either to your hotel or a rep at the destination.

+1 on forget about putting sensitized materials in any checked bag, if they can't tell what's there they will open the bag and any "protective" containers, and they won't necessarily put everything back in the way you'd like.

My one experience with an x-ray bag for film was before the modern rules, and with a carry-on. The operators ran my bag through, then did it again, and then a few more times, each time with a long pause in the machine, then opened it for inspection. A colosal waste of everyone's time, especially mine. With all the suspicion and rules that exist now, I wouldn't remotely consider using one of those things.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Carry on all film. Period.

Carry on as much equipment as you can. The equipment can be stolen from your checked bags.

 

[mgb74]

First, if you're searching online, it's "Pelican" with a "c". And they're great. Weatherproof and lockable (though you'll need to use TSA locks as bdial said). Can often find them used.

But... I think a large roller bag with custom cut film is also a good alternative for airline use. It's not as secure (from a locking standpoint) but it also doesn't scream "photo gear".

I would not put a carry bag inside a larger bag without some additional protection. I just don't think the dividers are sufficient. Though if you added bubble wrap around each lens and body might be ok. Also, I'd keep at least one body, back and lens in your carry-on.