ullanta
Veteran
Are you traveling alone? There's probably some comaraderie in people going to Iraq; if alone, try to enlist a new friend for the following.
Anyway, separate your gear into the absolutely essential and the conveniences. Meaning, you can improvise a matte box; tapes are probably easier to find than batteries, etc. Get a carry-on bag with maximum storage capacity (minimum protective capacity... check the case you'll use there; and you're NOT LETTING GO of the bag you're carrying on... you can coddle it. Wrap the camera in a t-shirt or two.). Get all your essentials and as many conveniences as possible in there.
To get through security, take charge of all your stuff and your friend's stuff, and send your friend through first. Don't let go of your essentials until your friend is through and clear. Assign your friend to safeguard the stuff from the moment it comes out of the scanner until you get there (i.e., while security may be double-checking you). Don't go through the "people scanner" until all your stuff is deep in the "stuff scanner". Needless to say, make sure you don't have any pennies in your pocket or anything that will delay you in security.
Then, never let go of your precious camera. Eating? wrap the bag strap around your leg and hold the bag with both feet. Sleeping on the plane? With your camera bag in your arms (makes an OK headrest to lean forward on). Make sure to get on the plane early so you can put the bag right overhead if you have to during takeoff/landing...
I've never been to Iraq, but this is my standard procedure for ANY flight.
-Barry
Anyway, separate your gear into the absolutely essential and the conveniences. Meaning, you can improvise a matte box; tapes are probably easier to find than batteries, etc. Get a carry-on bag with maximum storage capacity (minimum protective capacity... check the case you'll use there; and you're NOT LETTING GO of the bag you're carrying on... you can coddle it. Wrap the camera in a t-shirt or two.). Get all your essentials and as many conveniences as possible in there.
To get through security, take charge of all your stuff and your friend's stuff, and send your friend through first. Don't let go of your essentials until your friend is through and clear. Assign your friend to safeguard the stuff from the moment it comes out of the scanner until you get there (i.e., while security may be double-checking you). Don't go through the "people scanner" until all your stuff is deep in the "stuff scanner". Needless to say, make sure you don't have any pennies in your pocket or anything that will delay you in security.
Then, never let go of your precious camera. Eating? wrap the bag strap around your leg and hold the bag with both feet. Sleeping on the plane? With your camera bag in your arms (makes an OK headrest to lean forward on). Make sure to get on the plane early so you can put the bag right overhead if you have to during takeoff/landing...
I've never been to Iraq, but this is my standard procedure for ANY flight.
-Barry
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