Santa called

[SmartWombat]

Well actually a friend emailed me.
Do I want to go to F1 testing in Jerez in two weeks?
Five days' hard labour from dawn to well after dark.

Do bears ... in the woods?
Flights booked, hotel chosen, now how do I get my cameras there?
I think I need helium-filled bubble wrap or someting to get it under the weight limit
Two bodies, 4 lenses, laptop, chargers, cables and stuff (like DVDs for backup).
There may be no room for clothes and things

[ken1953]

Pack your luggage with the equipment you'll need...then put on all the clothes you'll need...shouldn't be more than 4 or 5 layers...especially if you stay some place that has a washer and dryer available...hahahaha...well...it's one idea!!!!!
Congrats on the testing....I'll be looking forward to seeing some of your shots!!!!
Ken

[Liz]

Hey - Santa's friend! Congratulations on such a nice invite!

Ken's idea was good - here's another one.

Just don't eat from today on - lose about 10 lbs.......and carry your equipment over your shoulder. ;)

Liz

Well actually a friend emailed me.
Do I want to go to F1 testing in Jerez in two weeks?
Five days' hard labour from dawn to well after dark.

Do bears ... in the woods?
Flights booked, hotel chosen, now how do I get my cameras there?
I think I need helium-filled bubble wrap or someting to get it under the weight limit
Two bodies, 4 lenses, laptop, chargers, cables and stuff (like DVDs for backup).
There may be no room for clothes and things

[JSPhoto]

hmmm, well thee goes my idea of sneakin into SW's luggage again.... this guy gets all the fun trips

JS

[Old Timer]

Sounds like a great experience. Forget everything else pack the camera gear and take off. You can always buy underwear, socks and t-shirts anywhere. If a pair of jeans won't last a week than you need to change brands.

[Asylum Steve]

Well actually a friend emailed me.
Do I want to go to F1 testing in Jerez in two weeks?

Boy, this sounds like a great opportunity, SW, but I just need to figure out what an F1 is...

My first thought was the Canon camera body that was my loyal friend for ten years, but that didn't make sense.

So, my guess is it's either a jet plane or a race car...

[JSPhoto]

Hey Asylum Steve,
Yup F1= Formula 1.....hmmm, wonder if SW can get me credentials for the Indy race? The newspaper sure can't get em! And F1 wonders WHY they can't get a US fan base. It aint rocket science.....a look at any NASCAR or IRL or CART race will show they do not limit media photographers to 60. At the the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 the AP alone has 60 shooters, then add in Rueters and the others, plus several hundred newspapers world wide and you see why the F1 series can't build a fan base....time for some media lessons for F1.

OK, done ranting....I didn't miss much last year anyway

JS

[masdog]

Hmm....flying. I don't know what European flight regulations are like, but in the US, you're limited to one bag of 50 pounds or so plus one carry on. You might be able to carry some of the gear on with you - that would be my suggestion since I wouldn't want the baggage handlers coming anywhere near my investment.

Congrats on your trip, SW. Hope you enjoy it.

[JSPhoto]

Hmm....flying. I don't know what European flight regulations are like, but in the US, you're limited to one bag of 50 pounds or so plus one carry on. You might be able to carry some of the gear on with you - that would be my suggestion since I wouldn't want the baggage handlers coming anywhere near my investment.

Congrats on your trip, SW. Hope you enjoy it.

That OK, SW, just stick me in your luggage bag....they can theow me around...a couple of bumps and bruises are worth it Might be a bit overwieght though....I only wiegh 150lbs...

JS

If you don't try you won't succed!

[EBAR]

I agree with the idea of not trusting the baggage handlers anywhere near the cameras. I just saw today on the news about the guy on the tarmac that was moving some equipment. He apparently bumped the plane and dented the outer skin. He didn't tell anyone, and when the plane took off it ripped a hole in the skin. They had to make an emergency landing.

Just think what they could do to your camera and not tell anyone.

EBAR

[92135011]

I know baggage handlers. Doesnt matter if you use fragile. Things will get broken or whatever. Use clothing if you have to put it in baggage. Best is to bring on board.

and they steal. I know. Trust me

[SmartWombat]

We don't call Heathrow airport Thiefrow for nothing

[paulnj]

I travel with ALL MY GEAR on every trip I take here in the US. 2 people(me and my brother usually) carry on.......

4 bodies, 70 rolls of film(well... now maybe 10..wink wink), 7 lenses, 2 flash, tripod(in my suitcase), laptop, 3-4 pairs of binoculars, a 80mm swarovski spotting scope and all the cables and misc(filters, cards, batteries that go with the list.

One big duffle bag and one backpack. the rest goes in a PHOTO VEST which is indeed just an article of clothing ;)

[masdog]

I travel with ALL MY GEAR on every trip I take here in the US. 2 people(me and my brother usually) carry on.......

4 bodies, 70 rolls of film(well... now maybe 10..wink wink), 7 lenses, 2 flash, tripod(in my suitcase), laptop, 3-4 pairs of binoculars, a 80mm swarovski spotting scope and all the cables and misc(filters, cards, batteries that go with the list.

One big duffle bag and one backpack. the rest goes in a PHOTO VEST which is indeed just an article of clothing ;)

They let you CARRY ON all of that??

[paulnj]

JET BLUE and CONTINENTAL do

2 PEOPLE mind you....

I give my brother a carryon with binos, scope, laptop and one camera and 2 lenses

I stuff 2-3 bodies an the rest in my backpack and a photovest. The vest weighs 20-30 pounds some trips ;)

The size and weight are within the limit on the carry ons and I run the vest through with my shoes and then put it back on. SURE I get checked over for 10 minutes every trip, but never have I been told my carryon wasn't aloud. Mind you though, I travel with plan B too. Plan B is my SECOND brother who comes through a seperate line ;)

The UK is different though, so who knows?

[SmartWombat]

UK travel is meagre allowance.
10kilos carryon, 20 kilos checked.

A Peli 1510 hard case is 5kg

[paulnj]

this is from jet blue(cheap US carrier)

Carry-on Baggage Allowance for All JetBlue Flights: All customers are allowed one carry-on and one personal item (i.e. purse, briefcase, laptop, etc.). Personal items must be 18" x 15" x 8" or smaller to fit under the seat. Carry-on baggage must be 24" x 16" x 10" or smaller to fit in the overhead bin.


My carry on NEVER fits this discription, but it always fits in the overhead ;) a hard case is only needed for checked baggage Besides you and your wife would be aloud 2 carry ons and 2 checked bags