Traveling With Your DLSR---What's Best??

[boBQuincy]

Since we printed our boarding passes beforehand and were part of the A boarding group we had no problems. Some of the late boarders had to have bags checked though because the overhead bins were full.

We usually get A boarding passes but sometimes things go wrong and we end up in the B or even the dreaded C group (it isn't really that bad). As noted, I too have seen the flight attendants sometimes insist that anything that didn't fit under the seat would have to be checked.
Since then I make sure my camera/laptop bag will fit under the seat.

 

[Lizziejane]

I think a lot depends on where you are flying. If you're flying Westjet, a Canadian airline, they DO weigh your carry-on luggage if it looks like it's close to the 22 lbs limit. They have had me empty my carry-on on many occasions to lighten it up. And if you're traveling in Europe, they are even more strict. One piece of carry on was the max - that included a purse. I literally had to squeeze my wallet and passport into my camera bag, then put everything else into checked luggage. There were two European airlines we flew on where the max. carry on was 15 lbs. So, check first!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I usually travel with the Tamrac Aero 80 and a rollaboard with no problems. In fact I just got back tonight from a trip. I also usually go for a bulkhead seat so both bags end up in the overhead. If not, the Aero does fit under the seat in front on most planes.

The Aero 80 has a nice padded laptop section, a top section that I can carry all the usually junk in or if I want I can carry another lens or two, and I've had 4 lenses plus my camera with lens attached in the bottom section. With that weight I have to have the rollaboard to carry the darn thing! It also has 3 outside mesh pockets so you can easily carry a water bottle or two.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I kept my Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home under the seat because I wanted to use it on the plane. It fit fine.

What I'd really like is to find a bag that has enough room to hold the camera stuff I plan to travel with, room for a few odds and ends so I don't need a purse and room to store a laptop if we end up bringing one. It looks like John and Karyl's will hold all of that stuff just fine...so I guess I'll have to do some shopping before we go.

Before our trip I was looking for the same, but never found one (or I should say, I found one, but it was only sold in Europe which made it surprisingly difficult to buy). So we ended up taking the netbook in our laptop bag which probably worked out better since the cords, mouse, pad and such took up more room than I would have wanted in my camera bag. For quick trips around town, that would be fine, but on vacation, no. Food for thought. As he always did even when we had a full size laptop, DH kept the laptop bag with him. It was fairly light with the netbook in it.

 

[kaffinito]

annnewjerz, I'm really glad you posted this question. I'm thinking about flying down for our August trip and am glad to read the responses to your question. Thanks!

 

[DebºoºS]

Like most I store everything in my large Domke bag that goes under the seat. I even put my tripod in it. Tight packing but fits under every airline seat. Nothing goes in the overhead since my flash head was broken on a flight.