Flying with equipment.

infokill

infokill

Well-known member
OK, im going to be flying to seattle early july.
i want to take my dvx with me, but i havent flown in a LONG time.
i have a few questions to those that have traveld with thier babies(dvx) ;D
i can carry my camera with me onto the plane right? i would not feel right at all checking it in and leaving it with someone else. also i want to film a little out of my window seat since its my first flight in a long time. would they let me?
whats some advice you guys can give me to be super safe with my camera?

and while im asking questions.....
any suggestions on what to visit in seattle? im a big art fan so if you know of anything let me know.


-Thanks
 
Re: Flying with equipment.

first of all, airtravel (especially in the US) was much easier before 911. So you might want to consider to:

- be at the airport early, so that you can check in without long queues and staff being stressed. Same applies to staff at security check.
- make sure that your carry-on bag is not too big or they won't let you take it onto the plane. The airline website usually states max. dimensions and weight of carry-on
- it certainly helps to open your camera bag and show the content to the people at the x-ray machine before they put it through the machine. Ask them if they want you to take it out of the bag and have it x-rayed separately (like a laptop)
- my experience is that trying to be friendly and relaxed helps a lot.

On the airplane they will let you shoot out of the window but only after takeoff and climbout to cruising altitude.
Ask the flight attendant if it is ok to use the cam. Do not point the camera at airline personnel (prohibited by law) and do not use it on the ground during taxiing (especially when the airport you are at has a military installation on-site).

Sorry, no ideas what to see in Seattle, never have been there.
 
Re: Flying with equipment.

[quote author=infokill link=board=Offtopic;num=1087848388;start=0#0 date=06/21/04 at 13:06:28]
and while im asking questions.....
any suggestions on what to visit in seattle? im a big art fan so if you know of anything let me know.
[/quote]

Gasworks Park on the north side of Lake Union

Kerry Park on Highland on the south side of Queen Anne Hill (this is the "Counterbalance" area where Frasier lived and most great money shots of the city are taken from there -- it's the park at the beginning of "10 Things I Hate About You")

Snoqualmie Falls (BEAUTIFUL) in July

Museum of Modern Art on Second Ave

Pretty much ANYWHERE in the Fremont, Wallingford, and Green Lake areas (these are all north of Lake Union, above the Ship Canal) -- think 40th-80th Streets North, Stone Way, and Greenlake Way

There's Capitol Hill on the east side; many eclectic shops and galleries

Head up to Bellingham if you get the chance.

And be SURE to get a calzone at Pete's, on Roosevelt.
 
Re: Flying with equipment.

When going through security, keep the option avialable for someone to see the camera turned on.

When sitting in the airport, don't walk off and leave it alone, even for few seconds. Things in airports have a tendency to wonder off when they were not being watched (by previous owners).

Inside the aircraft, make sure your bag will either fit under a seat or in the overhead. Some airlines publish their cabin interior dimensions online. Though the overhead is a bit larger, people who get on first tend to hog most of the space. If you can't find a place to put it, it may have to go downstairs. Unless you have a good strong protective case, this option is NOT advisable, for valuable objects such as a DVX.

If your bag does have to go below, make sure the Flight Attendant or Gate Agent knows the (dollar VALUE amount) of your camera and that you actually SEE a destination TAG physically applied to the outside of your case (with the correct down line destination) and that you get a receipt. If the Flight Attendant knows your carryon bag is of high value, they will be much more inclined to help you find a place to store it inside the cabin.

If the Flight Attendant stores your case in a place not around your seat, do not depend on them to return it to you after arriving at your destination. Make sure you either have a clear view of where it is stored or... just before landing, ask a Flight Attendant keep an eye on it until you can get to it after landing.

Otherwise, you are just leaving an opportunity wide open for someone else to walk off with your investment durring the debording confusion.

After the plane leaves the gate, it's best to keep the camera and other electronic gadgets packed away durring takeoff and landing. This helps insure that the signals to/from the radar electronics flow smoothly, without interruption.

enjoy your flight.
 
Re: Flying with equipment.

As for shooting in the plane:
As long as you keep it pointed out the window, I don't think it'll be too much of a problem.
In my last semeter at school, I was taking color photography and I took a day trip to Chicago (from Westchester NY (its nice to have a father that works for the airlines)). On the flight, I was taking pictures of various things inside the plane: No smoking sign, inside the bathroom, people standing around waiting to use the bathroom, long perspective shots down the aisle. The light was really beautiful in there, and I was drawn to the environment. Regardless, none of the passengers said anything to me, and the flight attendant didn't raise an issue, but I was being as covert as possible without being overly sly.

Bottom line, I'm sure it -could- be a problem, but also I suppose it could be fine as well. If you are pretty obvious about what you are doing you won't seem too suspicious, and if they really question your intent, just review with them the footage and show that you were really just shooting out the window?

~Andrew
 
Re: Flying with equipment.

I recently flew to Orlando, FL. I had my camera in a Pelican 1520 hard case that fit nicely in the overhead of a Southwest plane. I figured they would ask me what was inside of it at the X-ray machine but they didn't. I only say that because I keep my rain coat folded on top of the camera inside the case. I didn't have the desire to shoot during the flight so I didn't worry about taking it down. It was my first flight since 1997 too!
 
Re: Flying with equipment.

I'm going to be traveling on Northwest airlines, and I'm thinking of getting that pelican 1520. Is there enough room in it for the camera, batteries, and a shotgun mic, dvxshooter? How much can you fit in yours?

Also, northwest airlines says on their website that carry on's must be no more than 45 linear inches, then they give a sample dimention of 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches....I"m concerned as the 1520 is:
Length: 19-1/8
Width: 15-7/16
Height: 7-9/16

Do you think I'll have a problem? This is the first time I'm flying in 10 years!

Thanks!,
Vince
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top