Camera Carry-On

[Noah Kadner]

Depends on the airline but in general as long as it’s in a bag that is a carry-on you shouldn’t have any problem. You can always ask for a hand check of your bag but X-Ray machines will have no effect on an EX3 or the SxS cards.

Noah

Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, Panasonic HVX200, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.
Watch Formosa- My indie movie shot with the SDX900 and finished with Final Cut Studio.

[Richard Crowley]

Be sure your camera case isn’t too big for carry-on luggage.
Have a charged battery in the camera to demonstrate that it works (i.e. it isn’t a bomb)
Millions of electronic items go through the scanners every month without affecting flash memory.

[Derek Reich]

Bill,
You should not have any problem whatsoever. I fly nearly every week with my EX3, and have no issues. I do not put it in a bag, I just carry it on the plane and stash it in the overhead (with a blanket or coat for a little padding). The X-rays will not harm a thing…. however you may have some X-ray machines with pretty low clearance for getting your camera through the opening, especially if you have a matte box or other accessories mounted on your camera. (I have been able to fit mine through with matte box, Bebob battery mount, but do have to take my shotgun off on some of them.
One potential issue with the EX3 is it’s width because of the VF, and this is made worse if you are using something like the Bebob V-mount or A/B battery adapter. If you happen to be flying on a puddle-jumper, you may very well find that your camera will not fit in the overhead. Most airlines WILL let you belt it to an empty seat, assuming there is an empty seat. So be aware of that…. just last week I had 4 commuter flights, and my camera only fit in the overhead on two of them. I was very fortunate that there were empty seats on the two legs which it wouldn’t fit, and the airline let me belt the camera to a seat. Ask at the ticket counter and if they have empty seats, they’ll likely assign you to a seat next to an empty one to belt your camera. Sorry, no exit row for this arrangement though!

I have not once in the last couple of years had to turn my camera on to prove it works… I think as long as it’s going through the X-ray, that’s good enough for TSA.

If you are working for mainstream media, bring a press ID (some airlines like Delta require proof of media affiliation) and you can get a media rate on any equipment you check, like your lighting, tripod, etc. For most airlines that will tremendously reduce your excess baggage fees and increase your weight limit per bag. (example: on Delta excess baggage at the media rate is $50/case and you’re allowed 70lbs per case instead of 50lbs, and Delta is pretty rigorous about checking the weight…. if you’re over, it’s $100 per case additional)

There has been some confusion about lithium ion batteries brought on board (either checked or carried on). Lithium ion batteries are allowed and you should not have an issue with them, although you should not have ‘loose’ lithium ion batteries in checked baggage. (you can have them packed as long as they are in their own little space individually in your case. Batteries mounted on the camera are fine.

Have a good shoot!

[Ron Pestes]

Porta Brace makes some very good carry on size bags that fit the -3. I have one and have taken it on several airlines including to Europe and never had a problem. I have had to take it out of the case at security to show it worked a time or two though. Good luck.

Apple Certified Master Pro FCS 2
Sony EX-3
MacBook Pro

[Brent Critchfield]

I also fly regularly with my EX-3 in a Kata CC-197. I pull the camera out at security and put it in a bin for the xray, and have never had a problem with TSA. The guys usually see the camera and help you out a little – I’ve had them catch the bin on it’s way down the conveyor and hold the camera for me so that it didn’t get bumped. Usually toss a jacket in the bottom of the bin to pad it a little.

Another tip is you can often get pre-boarding. When the agent is calling to start the boarding process, walk up and politely ask if you can get a “courtesy pre-board for media”, explain that you need overhead space for the camera. 90% of the time they’re grateful that you ask so that they don’t have to deal with shuffling bags later on. Don’t ask the agent at the counter though – for some reason they’re usually much more reluctant to do it than the agent that’s actually boarding the plane. Just don’t abuse the privilege – if you’re flying Southwest with open seating, head to the back half of the plane and don’t take the exit row. Nothing good about having the cabin crew mad at you before you take off.

Also, you never know when you’re going to get a flight attendant at a bad time of her month. I’m always ready to pull the camera out of the bag and hand-carry it if they insist on checking the camera bag. Hasn’t happened yet, but it’s been close.

[Bill Evelyn]

Thank you, everyone, for contributing. Your help is very much appreciated.

Derek, you’ve not had problems with getting lithium ion batteries on an airplane…everyone else had zero problems? My concern is the IDX lithium ion battery website, which is where the red flag went up about taking them. Does anyone ship their batteries instead? I really don’t want to mess with that…but perhaps better safe than sorry.

https://www.idxtek.com/support/air_travel.html

Bill

[Derek Reich]

Bill-
No, I have never had a problem with any lithium ion battery to date on many hundreds of thousands of miles traveled. That said, no one has ever asked about how many I have checked, or what the lithium content of each is.
What I understand from the TSA website is this: the main concern is with primary lithium batteries, and not as much with lithium ion batteries. All the batteries available (as far as I know) for camcorders and most other portable electronic equipment are lithium ion. From what I have read, the concern is that primary lithium batteries cannot be extinguished in a fire while lithium ion batteries can. (both, however are extremely flammable)
My run bag which is checked with one or two spare batteries in it has routinely been inspected by TSA, as well as one of my cases with more spare batteries and chargers. There has never been an issue or question. All batteries are in individual compartments as specified by TSAs guidelines.

[Derek Reich]

Some additional information regarding primary lithium and lithium ion batteries and air travel:
https://safetravel.dot.gov/larger_batt.html

[Pat Mcgowan]

on another note, try the KATA airbags when bringing your camera as carry on – they are amazing!!

Pat McGowan
President, inMotion DVS Inc.
Ottawa, Canada
Sony PMW350K, 2 Sony EX-3s, Sony EX-1
Final Cut Pro (6 seats), CS5 (4 seats), C4D
Small-Tree GraniteSTOR 32TB RAID

[Bill Evelyn]

Hey, everybody

I had a successful trip with my EX-3. Carried on Delta a few times, and it stowed under the seat in front of me as it would not fit (with the after-market shoulder brace attached) in the overhead bin. No hassle with either carried-on or checked lithium ion V-mount batteries, and all my SxS cards…”zapped” at airport security…all play back beautifully.

I left behind a larger XDcam for the smaller EX-3, and I haven’t regretted it. The images are beautiful, and my back is that much more appreciative of the lighter load!

Thanks for all your help with my many concerns posted here at the COW.

Bill