TMP wrote: > > I am a little worried about bringing my kit overseas.... > > When I fly within Australia, I generally don't have any problems as I take > my Lowepro Nova 5 as carry-on luggage, and my laptop in my Targus Laptop > backpack, also as carry-on luggage. Then I usually take one suitcase with > my makeup kit, tripod, clothes etc in it. My suitcase usually weighs in at > around the 27kg mark, my camera bag around 8kgs and my backpack around 7kgs. > > However... > > Just reading the international allowances for Qantas, and I am only allowed > to take ONE piece of carry-on luggage and it can't exceed 7kg in weight! I > am also allowed TWO checked in luggage pieces which may weigh up to 32kg > (70lb) each. > > So, NOW I have a problem! My suitcase will be fine. I'm not taking my > makeup kit, so that will bring the weight down and it will easily be within > the 32kg mark. And I had planned to bring my camera bag in another > suitcase, so that it was "disguised" and hopefully would be safe on the > conveyor belt. Then I was just going to take my laptop/backpack on board > with me as carry-on, and also just put my *istD in the backpack "just in > case". So, it all should have been ok. BUT, my hubby's friend is a baggage > handler for Qantas and he showed me today how he literally picks the > suitcases up from the truck thingy, and THROWS them over his shoulder onto > the next trucky thingy to transport them. They then get THROWN onto the > conveyor belt, sometimes from as far away as 2 metres! He kind of swings it > around to give it momentum and then just throws it on there! OMG, I was so > stunned! The thought of all of my babies being thrown around like that, > despite the fact that they will be packed within TWO padded bags, well, it > scares me to death! > > SO, I've been looking at TAMRAC and Lowepro backpacks that fit both a camera > kit and a laptop in them, and that fit within the carry-on size > requirements, BUT with a 7kg limit, that would be impossible. My entire > kit, in a backpack, with a 3.3kg laptop, would probably weigh in at almost > double that! > > The only other thing that I can think of is to actually dispense with my > camera bag completely, and bubble wrap my kit and stow it in individual > pieces amongst my clothes etc in the suitcases, just taking my laptop > backpack on board as carry-on (with the *istD as well), and hope for the > best. > > All of the bags that I have been looking at area US auctions and it would be > impossible for them to get here in time now anyways, and the bags that I am > looking at are around the US$130 mark, but the same models sell for well > over AUD$350 here! > > I was thinking that maybe, I could stow my stuff away in my suitcase on the > way over, and buy a case via Ebay and have it delivered to tv, so that at > least I will have a bag to carry everything in together whilst I am at GFM, > and then just try my luck out for the journey home? > > I was wondering what you will be doing Cotty, Jostein etc? And also what > those who have done international travel in the past have done? > > It is kinda hard as I actually have to bring over 2 weeks worth of clothes > etc with me, as well as extra jackets etc for warmth at GFM, so I do need to > take quite a bit of stuff. > > Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... > > TIA, > tan.
Tan - Stop by when you are in NY and borrow clothes from me... I have lots of jeans, T shirts, etc, that will be appropriate for GFM... OR just throw in a few extra bucks to thrift in NY :) I'll be leaving on JUne 1st for a friends place in DC - so this will only work if you get here before :) ann
