If you shoot a wedding out of state and you need to take a flight to get there... how do you trasnport all your gear? Do you check it? Do you bring it as Carry On? If you check it.. do you insure it in some way??

I always bring it as a carry on. I just left the airport today and had a bag lost. I would die if any of my gear was in it! Good question!!

JK

There is only 1 piece allowed to bring as carry on, isnt it? How do you manage to get everything in one bag?

For most airlines, you can get away with two bags carrying on (because you're allowed a carry-on, and a personal item - defined as a purse, briefcase or something similar - I've gotten away with a backpack as my personal item on most airlines).

I always carry it on! Typically I can fit most everything I need for a wedding in my Tenba bag, and if I ever need to bring an additional carry on with extra gear, the airlines have never said anything. Apparently "Backpack" plus carryon is ok

-J

NEVER NEVER check your equipment! Carry it on. It is surprising how much they allow you to carry on, but if they give you a hard time, just explain what you are carrying and it should be no problem.

This is a good question.
Sorry for stealing your topic. Just additional question. May I also ask what kind of bag everyone use for their gear when they travel?
Thank you and Happy New Year!!!

Definitely Carry on.

I use a Pelican 1550 hard case.

Sean

I've traveled a ton this past year with all my stuff.

+1 for the Pelican 1550 hard case. I love it. I stuff everything in it - and opted for the foam so everything is really secure. Then I also carry on a Crumpler computer bag that I stuff a few things in along with the laptop. Works great.

I had a Tenba backpak - it was too heavy for me to carry around on my back all the way through the airports and I more so hated it when I had to board smaller planes and check it at the gate - becuase it's too big for the overhead compartment. It gave me heart attacks. Once I saw it sitting in the rain and another time I saw a bunch of luggage fall off the conveyor belt. So now - I always try to find direct flights in larger planes - and the hard Pelican case makes me so much less nervous if I have to check it at the gate.

Instead of brining strobes I throw 550ex's on stands for weddings I travel for. I also just bought a fishing pole case that I check and throw light stands, umbrellas and my tripod in - minus the head. It was $15 at Walmart and works wonderfully.

+2 for the Pelican although I did just pick up a Tenba Backpack as well and I really really like it. Probably going to be my everyday, everywhere bag now.

So I see that a few of you do check it. How would you handle the scenario of lost/stolen luggage.. specially with using a Pelican case... thiefs will go for that as they know something good must be in there. ???

Sorry for all those questions.. I might have a travel coming up and want be prepared.

tenba 17c..can fitjust about everything except stands and strobes. I can carry it on and put it over head. I was searched a few weeks ago and the screener opened it up and said oh my where do I begin"....I explained that as long as you are nice to the bag it will be nice to you :-)...we were also on a small plan that did nt have big overhead bins. I talked to the flight attendant, explained the value in the bag and she hooked me up on the plane. This bag can fit a laptop as well. I also just picked up the sholder bag version of this and like it alot. It fits almos the same amount of gear.

http://www.tenbagear.com/products/2000_01_pb17c.asp

tenba 17c. altough i love the ease of having everything in one case it's HEAVY! i'm also finding that since most of the planes i take seem to be of the smaller sort and it rarely fits overhead. mst flight attendants have been nice enough to put it in the closet for me. i have had to leave it plainside several times and gazed out the window sweating until it was back in my hands. i'm considering something with wheels so my 90 lbs assistant can help me carry my stuff again.

I just use a suitcase with wheels...carry on size. I can fit in all of my equipment and a laptop, plus have the ease of using wheels. I don't think I would ever try to carry that stuff around an airport!