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**delia todd** · Tuesday 15th February 2005, 22:03

If you travel by air do you take your scope on as hand luggage or put it in a case in the hold.

Has anyone had problems either way?

**KCFoggin** · Tuesday 15th February 2005, 22:09

The two times I flew with my scope I carried the scope on board and put the tripod in the hold. I made sure the scope was surrounded by a thick sheet of foam rubber.

Gill Osborne · Tuesday 15th February 2005, 22:30

The last time I was on a plane was in 1992 and I only had my Carl Zeiss bins to worry about...they stayed in my bag as there was NO WAY i was going to let them out of my sight!
Nowadays I have a scope so I'd probably do what KC does...tripod can go into the hold but my bins and scope are too precious and would stay with me.

GILL

Hanno · Tuesday 15th February 2005, 23:40

Always take the Scope with me. Used to take the tripod as well (after China Air broke a very expensive tripod), but recent tightening of security won't let me do that anymore.

**delia todd** · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 01:03

Thanks all.

It's what I felt but wasn't sure if it was necessary. Didn't really fancy the idea of it being thrown around and wondered if the lack of pressurisation would affect it.

Bill Atwood · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 02:36

I take the scope as carry on if at all possible. I didn't worry about depressurization, maybe I should. I was worried more about the baggage handing thieves and gorillas.

Even an honest mistake on their part sends your optics somewhare that you are not. I've heard stories of birders having their luggage always 2 days behind them during tours.

Jos Stratford · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 12:37

Would NEVER put any optics in the hold - always take it as hand baggage. In too many cases, baggage handlers don't respect the bags they handle! As well as the obvious risk of damage, bags go missing or are late and you wouldn't want to be spending your first week somewhere good without optics. Just returned from Sri Lanka and the luggage in the hold took a full month longer to gat back than me!!! Also take tripod as hand baggage and to date never had a problem - probably best to put it in a case, looks less 'threatening'.

CJW · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 13:08

In the hold, wrapped in bubble wrap and buried amongst towels in my suitcase.

edenwatcher · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by delia todd

Thanks all.

It's what I felt but wasn't sure if it was necessary. Didn't really fancy the idea of it being thrown around and wondered if the lack of pressurisation would affect it.

Always on board with tripod in the hold. Incidentally it is an urban folk myth about the hold being at lower pressure than the cabin. I was told by an aircraft engineer that the pressure is the same in both.

Rob

alan_rymer · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by edenwatcher

Always on board with tripod in the hold. Incidentally it is an urban folk myth about the hold being at lower pressure than the cabin. I was told by an aircraft engineer that the pressure is the same in both.

Rob

Pressure should be the same, also should be heated, just think about the creatures that are transported in aircraft holds!

Johnny1 · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 14:43

I usually carry my scope in my hand luggage but on a few occasions when I was suffering from a back injury and couldn't carry anything heavy I have put it in my suitcase making sure it was well wrapped in towels etc. as well as the stay on case. I must admit I was more worried about the suitcase going astray than any damage.

Humboldt Jim · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan_rymer

Pressure should be the same, also should be heated, just think about the creatures that are transported in aircraft holds!

I've done it both ways without incident.

I don't understand how folks can spend big money on scopes and be so cheap with tripods and cases. If protection is what you want, use a Pelican Case. A telescope is only as good as its mounting.

Commercial flights are pressurized to an altitude equivelent of 10,000 feet (about 3,200 meters) in cabin and hold. The exception being after landing above 10,000 ft.

Swissboy · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 21:24

I ALWAYS make sure whichever optics are with me as hand luggage. But the tripod has usually gone into the suitcase. Recently, when I did take it in, they checked the center column because the metal could not be x-rayed.

Bill Atwood · Wednesday 16th February 2005, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humboldt Jim

I don't understand how folks can spend big money on scopes and be so cheap with tripods and cases. If protection is what you want, use a Pelican Case. A telescope is only as good as its mounting.

I agree about the tripods, but a Pelican case screams "STEAL ME!!!"

Might be ok if you put it in some other luggage.

Tuesday 15th February 2005, 22:03	#1
delia todd Moderator but.......If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Perthshire Posts: 90,284 My location	Scopes on Aeroplanes If you travel by air do you take your scope on as hand luggage or put it in a case in the hold. Has anyone had problems either way? __________________ In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates
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Tuesday 15th February 2005, 22:09	#2
KCFoggin Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Myrtle Beach SC "Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places" Posts: 116,811 My location	The two times I flew with my scope I carried the scope on board and put the tripod in the hold. I made sure the scope was surrounded by a thick sheet of foam rubber. __________________ KC a/k/a common KC Karma - What you send out Comes right back at ya
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Tuesday 15th February 2005, 22:30	#3
Gill Osborne Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alnwick Posts: 6,001	The last time I was on a plane was in 1992 and I only had my Carl Zeiss bins to worry about...they stayed in my bag as there was NO WAY i was going to let them out of my sight! Nowadays I have a scope so I'd probably do what KC does...tripod can go into the hold but my bins and scope are too precious and would stay with me. GILL
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Tuesday 15th February 2005, 23:40	#4
Hanno Ho Ho Ho Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia Posts: 2,034 My location	Always take the Scope with me. Used to take the tripod as well (after China Air broke a very expensive tripod), but recent tightening of security won't let me do that anymore. __________________ Hanno "Time is never wasted when you're wasted all the time." Catherine Zandonella. Check out http://www.hannostamm.com/ for birding in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, Bhutan, Taiwan, and Northern India.
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Wednesday 16th February 2005, 01:03	#5
delia todd Moderator but.......If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Perthshire Posts: 90,284 My location	Thanks all. It's what I felt but wasn't sure if it was necessary. Didn't really fancy the idea of it being thrown around and wondered if the lack of pressurisation would affect it. __________________ In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Wednesday 16th February 2005, 02:36	#6
Bill Atwood Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 751	I take the scope as carry on if at all possible. I didn't worry about depressurization, maybe I should. I was worried more about the baggage handing thieves and gorillas. Even an honest mistake on their part sends your optics somewhare that you are not. I've heard stories of birders having their luggage always 2 days behind them during tours.
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Wednesday 16th February 2005, 12:37	#7
Jos Stratford Pondering the next... Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Exile in East Europe Posts: 11,531	Would NEVER put any optics in the hold - always take it as hand baggage. In too many cases, baggage handlers don't respect the bags they handle! As well as the obvious risk of damage, bags go missing or are late and you wouldn't want to be spending your first week somewhere good without optics. Just returned from Sri Lanka and the luggage in the hold took a full month longer to gat back than me!!! Also take tripod as hand baggage and to date never had a problem - probably best to put it in a case, looks less 'threatening'. __________________ For photographs and articles, Lithuania and beyond, click here for my website
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Wednesday 16th February 2005, 13:08	#8
CJW Hit-and-run WUM Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Isle of Man Posts: 4,791	In the hold, wrapped in bubble wrap and buried amongst towels in my suitcase. __________________ Chris Isle of Man Birding

Wednesday 16th February 2005, 14:43	#11
Johnny1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1,169	I usually carry my scope in my hand luggage but on a few occasions when I was suffering from a back injury and couldn't carry anything heavy I have put it in my suitcase making sure it was well wrapped in towels etc. as well as the stay on case. I must admit I was more worried about the suitcase going astray than any damage. __________________ [ Heaven is....Birding on a Spring day.

Wednesday 16th February 2005, 21:24	#13
Swissboy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sempach, Switzerland Posts: 2,593	I ALWAYS make sure whichever optics are with me as hand luggage. But the tripod has usually gone into the suitcase. Recently, when I did take it in, they checked the center column because the metal could not be x-rayed. __________________ Robert --PS: That's a Sooty Falcon on the avatar, photo taken near Sharm el Sheik, Egypt. My highest priority raptor at the time. What's your species on the avatar? I often have no clue!
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