Camera Theft International/Domestic Flights at DVinfo.net

Jon R. Haskell · December 5th, 2006, 03:09 PM

Heretofore I have carried my camera on flights and my ancillary equipment in TSA locked Pelican cases, for fear of losing the camera. I read of all the theft occuring in airports and it scares me thinking of the camera ending up on ebay somewhere.

I am curious what others are doing. Am I a little to cautious on this matter?
Jon

Don Bloom · December 5th, 2006, 03:16 PM

I don't think you can be "too cautious" in this matter. If I'm traveling with my small cams they go onboard with me with as much junk (ancillary gear) as I can cram into the bag.
If I need my bigger cams then I FedEx the gear to the hotel I'll be staying at-generally overnight shipping or 2 day at the most. So far it's worked out OK.
I never let the bag from my grip or if I have to set it down I put it between my feet. I've heard of cameras taking a walk when the person sets it down and looks away for a minute.
I have heard of theft when you check stuff thru hence my shipping both ways. It's not cheap but I build it into the quote to the client and spell it out for them so they know what it is and why. They all seem to understand as a lot of them do the same thing.

Don

Jon R. Haskell · December 5th, 2006, 07:51 PM

I am leaning towards carrying the camera. I bought a $30.00 generic athletic bag and fabricated a form fitting bottom piece from some left over Pelican "pick and pluck", duct taped side panels of 3/4" solid foam around the foam base. The 110 with IDX and Frizzi fits neatly in the bag. The bag has end compartments for extra battery and junk. It looks like a bag that has dirty underwear in it or something....a "stealth camera bag" of sorts. Maybe I should market this thing.....

Don Bloom · December 5th, 2006, 08:35 PM

Just make sure it'll fit in the special thing they use to see if it'll fit. I almost got thrown off a flight to a job just last summer because on the connecting flight to my destination (same airline as the 1st flight where I had no problems) the gate agent a really nice (yeah right) lady started giving me a hassel about my bag. A touch oversize but not by more than 1 inch in any direction. I tried to reason with her and the 1st words out of her mouth were "get security and a supervisor" My wordss were "yes please get those people" After a 2 minute conversation with the supervisor with security people watching closely she apologized and allowed me to board with my bag in hand. She realized that first I wasn't a threat, second I had come off a flight from chicago on HER airline without a problem and thirdly, since I was sitting in first class anyway (with about 7 others) it wouldn't be a problem. She also saw what was in the bag and agreed I could not check it (and would not check it) so problem solved. Point is make sure the bag is the right size so you don't have a hassel at the gate with a "nice" ticket agent.

Don

Glenn Davidson · December 5th, 2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon R. Haskell

The bag has end compartments for extra battery and junk. It looks like a bag that has dirty underwear in it or something....a "stealth camera bag" of sorts. Maybe I should market this thing.....

Regardless of how it looks, TSA will X-Ray it. They will then probably pull you aside while they take all the items out of the bag, swab them and then repack them. I always try to repack the items myself. Items put back carelessly can be as much of a problem as theft.

Charles Papert · December 5th, 2006, 09:36 PM

By the way, if anyone isn't aware of it, the airlines do offer a "media rate" which discounts excess baggage costs and has a higher maximum weight cutoff. You will sometimes need to show a business card or other proof of your status, so probably not best to ask for this if you cannot.

Don Bloom · December 5th, 2006, 10:14 PM

hey Charles,
Thanks for the headsup on that. I never knew about it and although I don't do a whole lot of travel with my gear at least I know for the next time I do.
Thanks
Don

Peter Ferling · December 5th, 2006, 10:50 PM

Same as Don, I fedex the gear to a confident contact, usually someone at the hotel counter. They are used to this sort of business.

I insure and actually pack the cases into plain carboard boxes when suitable, as pelican cases and the like are a dead giveaway. Out of site, out of mind.

Finally, it's not a perfect world, you can't fret and worry every minute over your equipment. Accidents and theft happens. Insure, insure, insure. Piece of mind is the best you can do.

Alex Bowles · December 6th, 2006, 04:05 PM

One word: FedEx. Unlike the major airlines, they're not bankrupt. Nor do their planes get 'oversold'. Enough said.

Marc Colemont · December 7th, 2006, 02:35 AM

So far, I had no problems carrying my camera and laptop on-board.
I'm travelling with a portabrace bag, which makes it easier then a hard case to bring on-board. I lost my laptop ones a few years ago through normal baggage hard case. When I remind them to this, that helps.
The Tripod goes with the baggage, and I sometimes have to pay extra for the weight. But I will not go on board without my camera.
Important is to stay calm and to repeat the reasons why you don't want to loose sight of the camera. Also not having a hardcase always gave me a strong point, explaining the expensive camera will be damaged if it ends-up together with the normal baggage.
They don't want to take that responsibility, and say to go onboard :-)

December 5th, 2006, 03:09 PM	#1
Jon R. Haskell Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 44	Camera Theft International/Domestic Flights Heretofore I have carried my camera on flights and my ancillary equipment in TSA locked Pelican cases, for fear of losing the camera. I read of all the theft occuring in airports and it scares me thinking of the camera ending up on ebay somewhere. I am curious what others are doing. Am I a little to cautious on this matter? Jon

December 5th, 2006, 09:36 PM	#6
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	By the way, if anyone isn't aware of it, the airlines do offer a "media rate" which discounts excess baggage costs and has a higher maximum weight cutoff. You will sometimes need to show a business card or other proof of your status, so probably not best to ask for this if you cannot. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

December 5th, 2006, 03:16 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I don't think you can be "too cautious" in this matter. If I'm traveling with my small cams they go onboard with me with as much junk (ancillary gear) as I can cram into the bag. If I need my bigger cams then I FedEx the gear to the hotel I'll be staying at-generally overnight shipping or 2 day at the most. So far it's worked out OK. I never let the bag from my grip or if I have to set it down I put it between my feet. I've heard of cameras taking a walk when the person sets it down and looks away for a minute. I have heard of theft when you check stuff thru hence my shipping both ways. It's not cheap but I build it into the quote to the client and spell it out for them so they know what it is and why. They all seem to understand as a lot of them do the same thing. Don

December 5th, 2006, 07:51 PM	#3
Jon R. Haskell Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 44	I am leaning towards carrying the camera. I bought a $30.00 generic athletic bag and fabricated a form fitting bottom piece from some left over Pelican "pick and pluck", duct taped side panels of 3/4" solid foam around the foam base. The 110 with IDX and Frizzi fits neatly in the bag. The bag has end compartments for extra battery and junk. It looks like a bag that has dirty underwear in it or something....a "stealth camera bag" of sorts. Maybe I should market this thing.....

December 5th, 2006, 08:35 PM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Just make sure it'll fit in the special thing they use to see if it'll fit. I almost got thrown off a flight to a job just last summer because on the connecting flight to my destination (same airline as the 1st flight where I had no problems) the gate agent a really nice (yeah right) lady started giving me a hassel about my bag. A touch oversize but not by more than 1 inch in any direction. I tried to reason with her and the 1st words out of her mouth were "get security and a supervisor" My wordss were "yes please get those people" After a 2 minute conversation with the supervisor with security people watching closely she apologized and allowed me to board with my bag in hand. She realized that first I wasn't a threat, second I had come off a flight from chicago on HER airline without a problem and thirdly, since I was sitting in first class anyway (with about 7 others) it wouldn't be a problem. She also saw what was in the bag and agreed I could not check it (and would not check it) so problem solved. Point is make sure the bag is the right size so you don't have a hassel at the gate with a "nice" ticket agent. Don

December 5th, 2006, 10:14 PM	#7
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	hey Charles, Thanks for the headsup on that. I never knew about it and although I don't do a whole lot of travel with my gear at least I know for the next time I do. Thanks Don

December 5th, 2006, 10:50 PM	#8
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	Same as Don, I fedex the gear to a confident contact, usually someone at the hotel counter. They are used to this sort of business. I insure and actually pack the cases into plain carboard boxes when suitable, as pelican cases and the like are a dead giveaway. Out of site, out of mind. Finally, it's not a perfect world, you can't fret and worry every minute over your equipment. Accidents and theft happens. Insure, insure, insure. Piece of mind is the best you can do.

December 6th, 2006, 04:05 PM	#9
Alex Bowles Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 49	One word: FedEx. Unlike the major airlines, they're not bankrupt. Nor do their planes get 'oversold'. Enough said.

December 7th, 2006, 02:35 AM	#10
Marc Colemont Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 695	So far, I had no problems carrying my camera and laptop on-board. I'm travelling with a portabrace bag, which makes it easier then a hard case to bring on-board. I lost my laptop ones a few years ago through normal baggage hard case. When I remind them to this, that helps. The Tripod goes with the baggage, and I sometimes have to pay extra for the weight. But I will not go on board without my camera. Important is to stay calm and to repeat the reasons why you don't want to loose sight of the camera. Also not having a hardcase always gave me a strong point, explaining the expensive camera will be damaged if it ends-up together with the normal baggage. They don't want to take that responsibility, and say to go onboard :-)