bag is too big for the overhead bin in a plane! What to do?

[Beemermark]

Flying outside the USA is seldom a problem if you do obey the regulations, but inside the USA, so many people ignore them that the problems you describe are commonplace. In fact, I've NEVER had a problem outside the USA with a legitimate-sized bag.Cheers, R.

While I minimize my carry on luggage to what I can hold in my lap, however I can say flying from London to Glasgow and then Bristol the bins were all full and it was a problem for people. Now it was an El-Cheapo airline so I didn't expect much. As an aside the train from Bristol to London was even worse. No checked luggage, very limited space at the end of the car for storage and severely overbooked. Had to stand most of the 3 hour trip.

A big part of the problem is airlines now charge for check in luggage so everyone tries to carry on as much as possible. And I rarely (if ever) see airlines try to enforce the size limit on luggage.

When I travel by air I carry (have to on business) my lap top and camera in one bag that can fit under the seat. A Leica body and 2 or 3 lenses are quite small.

 

[goamules]

I flew with full sized guitars in hard cases recently, and no one said a thing to me as I carried it on and put it in the overhead. After years of problems and arbitrary decisions there was a recent FAA ruling that you will be allowed to have it in the overhead, if it will fit. I can't see why a soft camera case should be a problem, unless it's bigger than a carryon suitcase. If you have a giant hard aluminum case, why worry if it goes under the plane?

 

[Brian Puccio]

It doesn't matter, which I recently found out. If all the overhead bins are full, they force you to gate check your carry-on. I told them I had camera equipment inside and couldn't check it. They again told me that they were sorry for the inconvenience and it would have to be checked. I took the camera out and kept it in the seat back. My fault for being the last to board. I do this intentionally because I am tall and want to spend as little as time as possible crammed into an airline seat.

And often the bins are full because ... people have huge carryone bags!

My camera bag fits into my backpack (which also holds my laptop, some snacks and a light change of clothes in case my checked luggage gets delayed) which is well under the dimensions. Are you taking some 8x10 cameras? I thought this was rangefinder forum and we all used the tiniest cameras going? (FWIW, I've got an M6, three lenses and an R8 and one lens.)

 

[_goodtimez]

What gear is in there ?

What gear is in there ?

What sort of Gear is in there ? 🙂
I fly about 15 times a year and even when I carry 2 Nikon F bodies, 4 lenses, a Kindle, a GPS locator and 30 films, batteries, food, paperwork files and a whole lot of bits and pieces, One small laptop computer, I can fit it under the seat in front of me !
And that is all on exceptional case. You really don't need all that crap on a regular basis.

What do you do when your camera bag is too big for the overhead bin in a plane or all of the bins are taken?

I am sure I am not the only one who experienced the problem. Lot of times the crew already announces that all overhead bins are full and that no more larger carry-ons can be brought into the plane. What is your tactic to avoid your camera bag being put in the main luggage area of the plane where it can be smashed or stolen...?

I usually do the following:

1. Try to be in the A or B boarding zone. Board the plane first! The chance that you will find empty bins is higher!
2. Try to stand behind somebody who has a bigger bag and the crew will pull out the person in front of you and will be asked to hand over his/her luggage to be put in the main cargo area of the plane. Usually, they are busy with that person in front of you and you can bring my carry-on camera bag on board.
3. Once on board, I try to take out my laptop and larger lenses to make my bag smaller. Hopefully, it fits!
4. I also try to put under the seat of the person in front of me...

Have you ever experienced this problem? What did you do you could share with us? This always stresses me out when I fly somewhere so photograph a destination wedding.
Thanks!

 

[Gumby]

I told them I had camera equipment inside and couldn't check it. They again told me that they were sorry for the inconvenience and it would have to be checked.

I saw soemthing similar happen once at Heathrow. A guy had a carryon bag that exceeded the allowable size and was told to check it. He told the gate attendent that it contained uncut diamonds, or cocaine, or something similar. They apologized profusely and explained that it had to be checked. He raised a ruckus and was escorted away but some tough looking cops.

Honestly, if one is carrying so much camera gear that it won't fit under the seat, then it is time to consider transit cases and some insurance!

 

[Beemermark]

I should add, if you are carrying a lot (and I mean a lot) then you should get one of those super heavy duty cases and check it in. I know a lot of hunters and law officers (in my family) who frequently fly with weapons. A little different, but simple check in procedure and the weapons are checked in. Again, heavy duty case and insurance.