Checking carry-on luggage at gate

[Archphoto]

Qantas managed to write-off 2 checked bags last year, so there are definitely some things you do not ever want to put underneath. Like a previous poster said, after you pack a laptop and assorted cables, gadgets and documents, 7kg doesn't seem like a lot.

I too have had so much camera gear (lighting) destroyed even when packed in tough cases (not to mention lost for almost 12 months!). I need to be able to do my job when I arrive and that means I need my shooting kit with me at all times. Unfortunately, my bag weighs more than 7kg. I rarely have a problem getting it in the overhead compartment, although this time on QF750 ADL-SYD the flight was packed and people were being asked to put their 2nd bag under the seat.

I managed to catch a look some really large carry-on bags as we disembarked - much bigger than my camera bag and of course they had to load sideways rather than front to back, so that they'd fit. So one carry on bag, filled 2 spaces essentially and there was no way you could place anything on top of them, like you can in some instances.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Looks like I'm going to be in for some more pain too - it's bad enough trying to travel with camera gear now without them checking every last thing. I'm still trying to get some common sense from Qantas after the last debacle a couple of weeks ago travelling MEL - PER. It seems that they are so confused/embarrassed by what happened even they can't explain how the heck their staff made up the nonsense that they were quoting me when they were quizzing me about what was in my checked luggage. Has anyone else ever been asked if their camera lens is pressurised and what the internal volume of the lens is? I didn't know the answer to either question, ended up missing my flight and having to ring Canon Australia for help to reassure them that it wasn't going to explode! Talk about a damn circus.

I haven't ever heard of that nor seen any questions to that effect in the mandatory airline Dangerous Goods courses you have to do every two years!

I know some devices require a MSDS (material safety data sheet) which you take with you should the airline or the DG's dept have any queries regarding same. Whether or not such a thing exists for your Canon camera I don't know however it might be worth asking them.

I would send an email to [email protected] & ask them whether they can supply you with a letter of authority to carry that item (if indeed it's even required) like they do if you regularly travel with firearms and/or ammunition.

There is a link below to the DG's section on the QF website however I don't see anything with regard to camera lenses.

Qantas Baggage | Dangerous Goods Information

 

[UP4014]

I'm always amazed at the greed of some people with what they bring on board; and not to save money but in thinking they are so important they shouldn't need to check bags like 'regular' passengers.

Matt

 

[straitman]

I haven't ever heard of that nor seen any questions to that effect in the mandatory airline Dangerous Goods courses you have to do every two years!

I know some devices require a MSDS (material safety data sheet) which you take with you should the airline or the DG's dept have any queries regarding same. Whether or not such a thing exists for your Canon camera I don't know however it might be worth asking them.

I would send an email to [email protected] & ask them whether they can supply you with a letter of authority to carry that item (if indeed it's even required) like they do if you regularly travel with firearms and/or ammunition.

There is a link below to the DG's section on the QF website however I don't see anything with regard to camera lenses.

Qantas Baggage | Dangerous Goods Information

In addition to DG awareness that ozbeachbabe mentioned I was DG acceptance qualified (it has now lapsed) and I can assure you that there is nothing like this in the regulations.

I'm sure this is all driven by someone's lack of knowledge.

 

[JohnCarrWestwood]

I too have had so much camera gear (lighting) destroyed even when packed in tough cases (not to mention lost for almost 12 months!). I need to be able to do my job when I arrive and that means I need my shooting kit with me at all times. Unfortunately, my bag weighs more than 7kg. I rarely have a problem getting it in the overhead compartment, although this time on QF750 ADL-SYD the flight was packed and people were being asked to put their 2nd bag under the seat.

I managed to catch a look some really large carry-on bags as we disembarked - much bigger than my camera bag and of course they had to load sideways rather than front to back, so that they'd fit. So one carry on bag, filled 2 spaces essentially and there was no way you could place anything on top of them, like you can in some instances.

Buy an extra seat ..simple . Just like pro musicians with cellos etc

 

[Archphoto]

Exploding camera lenses??? Now I've heard everything.

Good grief, next they'll be prohibiting women who've had breast implants from flying.:shock:

 

[The Rok]

Exploding camera lenses??? Now I've heard everything.

Good grief, next they'll be prohibiting women who've had breast implants from flying.:shock:

I hope not. It can make for good views and beats looking out the window.

 

[Archphoto]

Buy an extra seat ..simple . Just like pro musicians with cellos etc

Don't think the client will go for the extra $2k per leg. . . . . and it does fit in the overhead, it just weighs a little more than it should.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

In addition to DG awareness that ozbeachbabe mentioned I was DG acceptance qualified (it has now lapsed) and I can assure you that there is nothing like this in the regulations.

I'm sure this is all driven by someone's lack of knowledge.

.....which could have so easily been cleared up had they called the mobile of the DG contact person who is available 24/7.

 

[RSD]

I haven't ever heard of that nor seen any questions to that effect in the mandatory airline Dangerous Goods courses you have to do every two years!

I know some devices require a MSDS (material safety data sheet) which you take with you should the airline or the DG's dept have any queries regarding same. Whether or not such a thing exists for your Canon camera I don't know however it might be worth asking them.

I would send an email to [email protected] & ask them whether they can supply you with a letter of authority to carry that item (if indeed it's even required) like they do if you regularly travel with firearms and/or ammunition.

There is a link below to the DG's section on the QF website however I don't see anything with regard to camera lenses.

Qantas Baggage | Dangerous Goods Information

I've never been asked anything like it either - it had me standing there looking half stunned with a WTF! look on on my face wondering how the hell do I answer them. Cheers for the links - I will ask them as well. I've sent an email to customer service and also spoken to them on the phone since and they admitted that it sounded like someone had lost the plot but they were investigating further.

 

[JohnCarrWestwood]

Don't think the client will go for the extra $2k per leg. . . . . and it does fit in the overhead, it just weighs a little more than it should.

Then if you are over the volume and weight then you pay more but dont take up your neighbours overhead space. Get the cabin crew to toss it somewhere else .
Cabin space has to be paid for , one way or the other. Abuse then you pay . I take an expensive ($5000AUSD ) guitar overseas and it travels in the hold ok. I expect that it will be treated roughly and so it is well packed in its case and packed into a styro and cardboard external carton . I have used the external packing on 5 legs to USA before I had to replace the carton . cheap ..

 

[RSD]

Exploding camera lenses??? Now I've heard everything.

Fraid so - on the x-ray machine fisheye lenses probably look like anti-personnel mines, a 100mm macro is a hand grenade, other lenses are just bombs and an 800mm telephoto is an anti-tank rocket. Life just got harder!

 

[Archphoto]

Then if you are over the volume and weight then you pay more but dont take up your neighbours overhead space. Get the cabin crew to toss it somewhere else .
Cabin space has to be paid for , one way or the other. Abuse then you pay . I take an expensive ($5000AUSD ) guitar overseas and it travels in the hold ok. I expect that it will be treated roughly and so it is well packed in its case and packed into a styro and cardboard external carton . I have used the external packing on 5 legs to USA before I had to replace the carton . cheap ..

I'm not taking up a neighbours area - I'm using my own space, but it's overweight. The size is well within the approved limit, it's the weight that's the problem - unlike a guitar (which obviously won't fit), or some of the baggage I've seen jammed into the space above, (which may be underweight), but is certainly *not* carry-on size. . . . .

And yes, I've had the cabin crew put it in with their luggage a couple of times, when I've asked politely. But I'd rather be able to stow it above me, and not have to resort to that just because someone else packed a small suitcase and brought it on as carry on. . . . . .

 

[Archphoto]

Fraid so - on the x-ray machine fisheye lenses probably look like anti-personnel mines, a 100mm macro is a hand grenade, other lenses are just bombs and an 800mm telephoto is an anti-tank rocket. Life just got harder!

In that case, I'd be more concerned they got through security all the way to the gate.

Been stopped a few times and asked to show lenses at screening, which have then been put through a second time - nature of the business I'm in, but someone's been watching waaaay too much Mythbusters methinks. . . . .

 

[rsellens]

Then she looked at my boarding pass again and said “Sorry I didn’t see where you were sitting” and let me through. I was not happy seeing my bag was within limits and does fit within the test unit (and isn’t overweight). That I was flying in J was irrelevant as the allowances are the same had I been in Y. :

Flew SYD-HBA last November in J. 2 J Passengers were told to take their carry-ons back to be put in the hold has they were oversize!

 

[Valerie Moffat]

re my previous...I forgot to add that we were on a Melbourne to Sydney flight !
Val Moffat

 

[medhead]

I had a nice little "conversation" with the FA this week when she told the last passenger on the aircraft to jam his wheelie case into the small space next to my bag. The FA was exceedingly rude, which was especially annoying as I'm very careful to stick within the limits. I reckon my bag looks small compared to everything else and that's why it was thought to be a good idea to jam another case in, don't worry about the medical equipment I'm carrying.

As for the camera lens, for things like that I would just say no. In fact, I've carried DG once or twice, all package and labelled and everything within the legal requirements, and I've just said no DG. That's with real legal DG, not just something inert like a camera lens.

 

[Julesmac]

Qantas managed to write-off 2 checked bags last year, so there are definitely some things you do not ever want to put underneath. Like a previous poster said, after you pack a laptop and assorted cables, gadgets and documents, 7kg doesn't seem like a lot.

I would prefer to see carry-on checking on Jetstar/Virgin before it comes to Qantas though; with many of the LCC tickets sold without a checked luggage allowance, the sort of carry-on volume on those flights is ridiculous. At least with nearly all of the Qantas flights I have been on there seems to have been adequate overhead storage; hopefully the OP example was more to do with peak travel periods and not a regular Qantas feature.

I couldn't agree more. A Jetstar flight to the Gold Coast recently made me think that the majority of passengers were simply trying to save on the luggage charges applied by LCCs by humping masses of hand luggage. Ridiculous. And given the quick turn around times there you'd think the staff would enforce it more as people hauling their stuff from the lockers has a pretty big hold up effect on passengers. Pay the blasted charge and if it costs you for excess, tuff

 

[Deleted member]

Exploding camera lenses??? Now I've heard everything.

Good grief, next they'll be prohibiting women who've had breast implants from flying.:shock:

That will be a sad day......double shock


If it doesn't matter if you win or lose.......How come they keep score?

 

[smit0847]

I couldn't agree more. A Jetstar flight to the Gold Coast recently made me think that the majority of passengers were simply trying to save on the luggage charges applied by LCCs by humping masses of hand luggage. Ridiculous. And given the quick turn around times there you'd think the staff would enforce it more as people hauling their stuff from the lockers has a pretty big hold up effect on passengers. Pay the blasted charge and if it costs you for excess, tuff

Thats exactly correct re LCCs. Thats why TT etc have the option to pay for priority boarding because it allows people adequate overhead space (with allocated seating, there is no other logical advantage!). I usually just take carry-on for weekends away for the convenience rather than the cost saving - it means you can arrive at the airport later and get out of there quicker. As nice as it is to relax while people queue up BEFORE boarding has even started, there is always a slight fear that the last ones on wont have any overhead space!!