I have a dream...

[Ari]

...to bring all my gear with me and stow it in the overhead compartment on my next international flight.
I'm just talking cameras, lenses, and film; the rest can go in cargo, no problem.

Here's the problem:

I have a Pelican 1510, carry-on size, which holds all my LF gear perfectly.
I also have a Tenba Roadie, the large one, also carry-on, and slightly larger than the Peli.
I can fit all my stuff, the LF, MF and digi gear, in the Tenba, but it's quite heavy; if I'm asked to weigh it, I'm up a creek.
I can take the LF in the Peli as carry-on, leaving the MF and digi gear to the cold confines of cargo and baggage handlers.
Will the MF/digi cameras be safe from the cold on a trans-Atlantic flight?
Anyone have a suggestion as to how to proceed? I still have to bring clothes and a toothbrush, and that's my luggage limit.

I just bought the Tenba, so I have 15 days to return it, if anyone has a better suggestion.

Thanks in advance

[atlcruiser]

If the stuff is well packed i see no problem in the cargo hold. It might be worth paying out the ass and buying another "luggage tag" from the airline. I know it is expensive international but that way you could just check the pelican.

I would not stress carry on weight too much if flying on US based airlines.

[ross]

Ari:

The cargo holds are heated with exhaust air from the cabin. Theoretically, the luggage in the cargo hold is the same temp as your carry-ons in the overhead bins.

Jeff

[Ari]

Thanks David and Jeff.
My luggage always feels cold, I assume it must be less comfortable in cargo, but maybe you're right.
If it is indeed very cold, any chance of damage from 8-10 hours of cold? In a Pelican?

My wife suggests returning the Tenba, getting a slightly larger Pelican, putting all the gear in there for cargo, and using my carry-on Peli for film and clothes.
After arrival, I use the small Peli for carrying the 4x5 gear, and a small soft case for when I use the MF or digi.
Sounds good, but I'll sleep on it.

Please chime in if you have any ideas.
Thanks

[Jody_S]

Thanks David and Jeff.

My wife suggests...

Well, you have 2 carry-on sized camera cases, and you're 2 people? Hmmm.... Why not get your wife to carry one of them? Oh, never mind. Mine wouldn't go for it either. In fact, I usually have to make room in mine for some of her crap. Er, essentials. I suppose we have very different working definitions of the word 'essential'.

My personal solution was to find a Pelican-style or Samsonite or whatever rigid large-size suitcase as my checked bag, anything that wasn't overly sensitive to temperature changes went in there, wrapped in t-shirts and underwear. Such as my Speed Graphic and film holders, on my last trip. I don't know what make it is, I found it at the local flea-market for $10 because it was closed and the seller couldn't figure out the combination. I couldn't either, but after a couple of hours' trying, I did find a crowbar. It's not as hermetically-sealed as Pelican cases, but in practice I've found that just means it doesn't look like it's collapsing in on itself when I pick it up on the luggage carousel. I don't know what temperature they keep the baggage hold, but I do know they're not pressurized, and I wouldn't send any of my good lf lenses in the hold because I don't know how well vented they might be, and what abrupt & major changes in atmospheric pressure would do to one.

[Ari]

Well, you have 2 carry-on sized camera cases, and you're 2 people? Hmmm.... Why not get your wife to carry one of them? Oh, never mind. Mine wouldn't go for it either. In fact, I usually have to make room in mine for some of her crap. Er, essentials. I suppose we have very different working definitions of the word 'essential'.

My personal solution was to find a Pelican-style or Samsonite or whatever rigid large-size suitcase as my checked bag, anything that wasn't overly sensitive to temperature changes went in there, wrapped in t-shirts and underwear. Such as my Speed Graphic and film holders, on my last trip. I don't know what make it is, I found it at the local flea-market for $10 because it was closed and the seller couldn't figure out the combination. I couldn't either, but after a couple of hours' trying, I did find a crowbar. It's not as hermetically-sealed as Pelican cases, but in practice I've found that just means it doesn't look like it's collapsing in on itself when I pick it up on the luggage carousel. I don't know what temperature they keep the baggage hold, but I do know they're not pressurized, and I wouldn't send any of my good lf lenses in the hold because I don't know how well vented they might be, and what abrupt & major changes in atmospheric pressure would do to one.

Jody,
Here is where your argument (an excellent one, by the way) breaks down: we have a 20-month-old daughter.
All bets are off, and I have to fend for myself.
As for the gear, I will likely be buying a 1650 for all of it, and I think that, in a Pelican, it will be safe from temperature and pressure variations in the cargo hold.
If anyone has experience otherwise, please let me know.
Thanks

[ross]

[QUOTE=Jody_S;847616)....... I don't know what temperature they keep the baggage hold, but I do know they're not pressurized, and I wouldn't send any of my good lf lenses in the hold because I don't know how well vented they might be, and what abrupt & major changes in atmospheric pressure would do to one.[/QUOTE]

All modern airliners have pressurized cargo holds and are heated. Imagine what your pets, toothpaste, and shampoo would be like at -63C and a pressure differential between sea level pressure and the pressure at 40,000ft if the holds weren't pressurized and heated. The conditioned air in the cargo hold is probably about 50F, or the same as your living room at night. Have you ever driven over a mountain pass with your LF gear and then down the other side? The pressure and temp changes would be similiar to taking a flight in the cargo hold.Your gear will be fine. Really. Just like Fido.

Jeff

[Ari]

All modern airliners have pressurized cargo holds and are heated. Imagine what your pets, toothpaste, and shampoo would be like at -63C and a pressure differential between sea level pressure and the pressure at 40,000ft if the holds weren't pressurized and heated. The conditioned air in the cargo hold is probably about 50F, or the same as your living room at night. Have you ever driven over a mountain pass with your LF gear and then down the other side? The pressure and temp changes would be similiar to taking a flight in the cargo hold.Your gear will be fine. Really. Just like Fido.

Jeff

Groovy; thanks, Jeff.

[jp]

If it's logistically possible, UPS/Fedex/Mail your pelican case (with film) ahead before you travel.

[Ari]

If it's logistically possible, UPS/Fedex/Mail your pelican case (with film) ahead before you travel.

That is a given, when it has to be done; thank you, jp.
I'm going to go with the Pelican 1560, put my gear in it for flights, and keep the 1510 for day trips with the 4x5.