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Steve Barry wrote: > First, I empty all my cameras of film. Any partially exposed rolls > are rewound so the leader still sticks out and the last exposed frame > number is written in indelible ink on the leader (ah, the pleasures of > fully manual cameras you rewind with a crank!!) Steve, Steve, Steve...someday you will be surprised to find that the fully electronic Nikon and Canon professional 35mm cameras (F4, N90s, F5, EOS-1, EOS-1N, A-2, etc.) very easily allow you to rewind film "tails out" to accomplish the same goal! > My large tripod is placed on top of the duffel bag between the > handles -- I've never been questioned about this being a third carry-on > piece. Over the years, I have found 95% of airline gate personnel to be very flexible with the rules when it comes to camera gear if you present yourself as a serious photographer and seasoned traveler. You should have business cards introducing yourself as a photographer and have a cool, professional ATTITUDE; not demanding ANYTHING. Same goes for the security personnel at concourse metal detectors. Your arrangement sounds like it works well...just don't get huffy with these folks. Sometimes they might not have time for hand check of the film; one or two trips thru these metal detectors will not hurt your film. These same detectors are used by the Secret Service at political conventions and there is NO "hand inspection" option here...when I have worked the conventions as a journalist, I've seen thousands of cameras and zillions of rolls of film get x-rayed by these machines and nobody complains. Back to the airport gate. When you are carrying all this stuff, do not be bashful about getting in the "preboard" line with old people, families with children, invalids, etc. You have a bunch of stuff and you need to throw it in the overhead bin...doing so before the general boarding saves the airline time and helps you out. Nothing's worse than being one of the last to board a plane, all the overheads are stuffed and you have a big camera bag that just won't fit anywhere. Finally, keep this in mind if you have a bunch of baggage and there's no getting around packing lighter...have you ever considered buying a second seat? We used to do that all the time, no questions asked, and it doubles your bag allowance. Sounds crazy? Several years ago I was in Sacramento headed for Burbank after covering a news story. I missed my early flight; the reporter and producer made theirs. So I'm left to get a later flight with seven pieces of checked baggage and a big Betacam as carry-on. Southwest ticket agent looks at me and says "...I'm sorry but I'm going to have to charge you $60 for excess baggage." I look at the sign behind me advertising $29 fare on all night flights to Burbank and say "...fine, sell me a second seat..." She had never encountered this option but her supervisor laughed and said "Why not?" I saved my employer $31 and everything got back to Burbank OK. I put a note in my expense report about what happened and my boss gave me a little note later that said SMART! Usually his notes to me have the word "ass" written after that word. --David R. Busse Diamond Bar, Calif. ======================================================= -> SPORRS: 'Serious Photographers Of Railroad Related Subjects' -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs/ -> Message © 1998 SPORRS® - All Rights Reserved =======================================================
