Crossing my fingers - UPDATED

[ChiSoxKeith]

So I had to travel on business to California for a couple of days and I decided to bring my DSLR with. Haven't really been in California in a while, and the customer I was going to visit is in Chino, a nice valley area with mountains to the East & West.

Took some ok pictures, but now I'm sitting here worried that over half of my gear is gone!

I don't usually check baggage on short trips, especially when you have one of those airlines that charge bag fees! There was a computer foul up and I wound up in the very last boarding group of the plane. When the last group of us (about 10 or so passengers) got to the aircraft the flight attendants informed us that all of the overhead compartments were full and they would have to check our bags (for free).

I had my DSLR out and around my neck (was taking pictures of the plane and terminal area while I waited for the flight) so I didn't think anything of it.

Lo and behold, my bag made it on the first leg of the flight but it never made it onto the connecting flight to get all the way home.

In it was

1) gorrilla pod + ball head
2) A couple of extra memory cards
3) battery charger
4) ND Filter
5) 75-300 zoom lens

plus some clothes. Could really care less about the clothes, but I don't want to lose my photography gear. Sure I have my DSLR and the 18-55 lens so I wouldn't be totally out of luck. And the gear really isn't the expensive stuff, but I really don't have the funds to replace it all at the moment......

The airline said they had the bag in their system and it was going to be put on a flight later tonight, then delivered to my house.

I'm sitting here worried that its all going to get lost and never turn up. GRRRR

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Heres hoping that it all works out. I flew to Orlando last week and I kept my bag on me! After take off I buckled it into the seat, stewardess complained but I was ignorant and ignored her! Lol, I am a rebel after all! I hope that you recover your gear in a timely fashion!

Insurance?

 

[Frantasmic]

When I fly, I carry all camera gear and my iphone with me at all times in a bag that is designed to fit under the chair in front of me so it will NEVER get checked. It's just not worth it.

Hope yours comes through all right.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

That's scary. That's why, when flying, I always keep everything (except tripod) in my backpack bag and put it on the floor under the seat. I hope you get your gear back soon.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've got my fingers crossed for you! I sure hope it shows up!

 

[DVC Mike]

When I fly, I carry all camera gear and my iphone with me at all times in a bag that is designed to fit under the chair in front of me so it will NEVER get checked. It's just not worth it.

I agree!

 

[ThurlFan]

Good luck Keith, got my fingers crossed for ya!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think you'll be ok since the airline knows where it is. I've even had them show up with a bag that they kept saying they couldn't find!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Hey there, just thought I would post an update.

1) I always put all my camera gear in carry-on, but since they wouldn't let me carry it on.....

2) I got an automated phone call this morning saying they had no idea where my bag was at all, but gave me a number to call so I could provide additional information. I was in a meeting so I couldn't take the call / follow up....

but.....

I just got off the phone and they said they had my bag in Chicago and it was going to be delivered this evening.

phew.

Thank you for all your kind thoughts.

 

[Marlton Mom]

I just got off the phone and they said they had my bag in Chicago and it was going to be delivered this evening.

phew.

Thank you for all your kind thoughts.

Pheewwww. (Exhales!) That was close....
Breathing now.....
In, Out, In, Out....

Good luck getting everything all the way home.

I am starting to accrue a list of my camera equipment and I've BEEN bugging my husbad (purposefully misspelled) to get the equipment insured under our homeowners policy.

He's been dragging his feet and I've been having visions of a burglar being so grateful for the handy dandy camera backpack that I have ALL of my equipment in, being oh so portable for him to carry off during the robbery.

Hubby (Under pain of eviction) eventually contacted the insurance agent and as it turned out we did not need separate "riders" for each piece of equipment, just a slightly different policy that would include everything.

It covers theft but not loss on my part and I don't know yet if the airlines losing it would be covered under this policy....
But
I intend to find out exactly what would happen under the "airline" situation before I travel again to the World in June. I know the Airlines generally have a take it or leave it approach to the ridiculously inadequate reimbursement for camera equipment lost under their watch so this "You HAVE TO CHECK IT" thing has got me curious as to whether they would be liable if your equip was indeed stolen under their watch.

At the Philadelphia airport and especially with U.S. Airways there is a HUGE PROBLEM with THEFT so "Let the Flier beware" so to speak if you are coming this way. It's a real "Lord of the Flies" situation with unbelievable stories coming out about just how rampant and unchecked the thievery is down in luggage handling at Philly airport, especially in light of all the supposed baggage security since 9-11.

So the bottom line is call your insurance agent about your camera equipment and know before you go, especially if you are flying into Philadelphia Airport.


Marlton Mom

 

[mom2rtk]

It's a real "Lord of the Flies" situation with unbelievable stories coming out about just how rampant and unchecked the thievery is down in luggage handling at Philly airport, especially in light of all the supposed baggage security since 9-11.

More than likely they are taking advantage of the 9/11 inspired security rules that say you can only lock your luggage with TSA approved locks. I think more people just leave them unlocked.

I hope to hear an update soon that you have the bag in your hands with every last piece accounted for!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

The driver from AA just dropped the bag off. Everything is here and accounted for.

My gear isn't leaving my side on a plane ever again!

Thanks again everybody.

 

[Icemann]

Next time ask them to check you as luggage and leave the camera gear buckled to your seat.Just kidding glad you got everything back and in working order.I'm like the rest my gear never leaves my sight on the plane.I have a backpack and a bag that both fit under the seat or overhead.If I know I have to check it I use a Pelican 1510 with TSA locks,so far I've only had to check my camera gear once when we went to Alaska last year because we switched planes and had to fly in a prop plane.They gave me my gear as soon as I got off the plane.

 

[Marlton Mom]

Next time ask them to check you as luggage and leave the camera gear buckled to your seat.

You could be on to something there with the ever decreasing amount of room they give you between rows...

Flying Chihuahua class is Lookin GOOD!

Marlton Mom