LOSING $13,000 Of Camera Gear! OOOPS (Tips for flying with cameras)
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- Опубліковано 20 чер 2018
- Here are some tips for Flying with your camera gear and how to protect your investment.
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UPDATED INFORMATION:
From AA.com/ppq
"Liability Limitations:
Liability for loss, delay, or damage to baggage will be limited as follows:
Domestic Travel (wholly within the United States) - $3,500 per ticketed passenger.
Certain items are excluded from liability; see Contract of Carriage at aa.com
International Travel (including domestic portions of international itineraries) is covered by the Montreal Convention - 1,131 SDRs
(Special Drawing Rights) per ticketed passenger"
Regardless of who's at fault, if you have expensive stuff that goes beyond the covered amount DO NOT CHECK IT NO MATTER WHAT.
I'm seeing a lot of people telling me I am wrong and that AA is at fault. Sure, yes, AA is at fault for losing aka not getting the bag to where it was supposed to go.
But remember this, you as a photographer are in charge of your gear. If I give my gear to the coat check and then it gets stolen, it's my fault. If I leave it in my trunk and it gets stolen, it's my fault. If I place it somewhere and it grows legs it's my fault.
My gear is my livelihood, if something happens to it and it's not protected, it's my fault. If I check the bag and it doesn't make it, it's MY FAULT regardless of AA losing it. Now, if you send it Fedex or UPS and it doesn't get there and you don't have insurance on it guess what, they give you $100. If you ship it and have coverage for the value, you're getting a check for that.
End of the day, it's your stuff, protect it, never check it, especially on a connecting flight. Offer someone money to check theirs in place of yours, do what you need, take a different flight.
AA is at fault but I don't know what they are on the hook for, I will do some digging to see what their policy is for lost baggage.
People saying that it's the company's airline fault for losing clearly have NO clue at how baggage handling works at an airport. The people handling the baggages are NOT employees of the airline you're flying with. They are employed by the airport. Even the people at check-in desks, sometimes, are not airline's employees.
The airline can't decide on those people, nor check on them, since they are not their employees.
I agree with you, Jared. Here the photographers must have chosen another flight if the gear couldn't travel with her. That's why I never bring all my gear when I fly with Ryanair, and even with other airlines, I always try to be one of the firsts to board the plane.
Sure, they are for up to $3,500 in some cases which is 10k short of the stuff she checked. Do not check your gear.
You're paying the airport as well in your ticket. Stop blaming the airline that is only responsible for carrying your luggages and you, but all the rest the true responsible are people at the airport to which also the airline pays money to be there. This philosophy of not analyzing the exact roles is what's wrong with anybody.
Sorry Jared but this is "UPDATED BULLSHIT". As you may or not know, PRIVATE COMPANIES DO NOT MAKE THE LAWS and can't write terms that are above the laws and case-law in the US. In a civil lawsuit against those liable for losing the gear, the liable party would have to pay a) the gear value, b) the money the photographer lost, including prospects according to her previous earnings (remember the Andrea Polito case? It's quite recent too, and it was for a case much lighter than theft). The only problem in this case is to identify the liable party.
At Straight out of camera. The point i keep making is why put yourself in this situation in the first place. The video is meant to give you advice on what you could do in this situation. One thing, take the stuff out of the bag and cary it on with you at the very least. NEVER CHECK YOUR BAG with camera gear. Why even have to worry about suing someone. I get it, but if it's her fault at the end of the day for going against her own better judgement.
Hello, airline pilot here, my tip.... NEVER check camera gear in. There are so many stages where high value stuff can get lost or stolen... Keep it with you at all times. There are no laws, in Europe at least, to not allow it on board. Seriously, do not do it.
good stuff.
did you even watch the video? she said she had to do it or she was not going to be boarded. But then again if i was her and had that much gear on me that cost that much $$ i would probably have found another airline no matter the cost i guess...
I would have made a big scene there and asked for written rules stating WHY I shouldn't check in my bag. Not saying I would yell at her, but I would state my ground. The only time I had an issue was when I had two small bags on a Economy flight (BlueAir) - I was theoretically only allowed one bag, even though my two bags were way smaller together than the maximum allowed size and could both fit under the seat in front of me. I took everything I had out of my small backpack, handed them to my friends, put my camera around my neck and the spare lens, accessories and the camera bag itself in the backpack (the other option would have been to discard my empty camera bag, but I wasn't willing to).
The only thing they can stop you on is size of the bag. If it fits the specifications laid out by the airline then you can take it. Even 1mm (or whatever that is in American) too big and they can fairly say no. I regularly carry my whole camera bag (D800 with up to 5 lenses) through security when I go away for long trips and never get questioned. Here in the UK pilots are scanned in security at the same level that passengers are. What I'm saying is, don't take anything valuable in the hold. 99% of the time it'll get there, but is it worth that 1% with so much value at stake?
Many airlines also have weight restrictions for carry on, and that bag she was carrying, if full of camera equipment would weigh a ton. So as an airline pilot, you put the value of her equipment, above the safety of your passengers? Just let us know who you fly for, so I can avoid them
Ok so here's the thing about insurance - almost no one covers checked luggage going missing. I have Hill & Usher, which is probably the most recommended insurance provider for photo gear out there, and they told me they'd rather I fedex camera gear than check it, since the policy covers damage during shipping but not anything checked on a plane.
Travel insurance normally covers that
My biggest tip for people: NEVER CHECK CAMERA GEAR. Always carry on the plane (I also try to use a non-describe camera roller when traveling, so it looks like a regular carry-on luggage (clothes) bag. I also lock it. If I can't use a roller bag, then I bring a non-descript backpack or something that doesn't look like a camera bag (like my Chrome backpack, which actaully is a camera bag, but doesn't look like it from the outside). The key is to keep the camera gear with you at all times from the time you leave your house to the time you get to the hotel. And when I'm at the hotel, I keep the lock on the bag when it's left in my room ( I also lock my laptop in the bag) and then I store the bag somewhere (like in a closet). Not exactly bullet from against someone stealing, but at least it's out of plain sight for the cleaning crew (or I'll put it into a clothes drawer if it fits). Maybe a little excessive but I'd rather be a bit excessive about it and not have my gear go missing. The only gear I've lost during travel is from my own fault (forgetting something like a wireless remote in a hotel room or spare batteries ,etc). Also always double check your hotel room before you leave to go home, and also double check your gear before you leave home (to make sure you didn't forget anything--as things like batteries, chargers and memory cards--other than SD cards--might be harder to find while traveling, especially if you're going overseas).
Frankly if my gear wasn’t insured( and it’s not) I would have turned around and gone home rather than trust anybody else with my gear
American Airlines is at fault, their employees are thieves and as their employees are agents of AA so AA is liable. She completed the contract with them by paying them, their job is to get her to her destination safely and her stuff at her destination also.
But the end result remains the same. She can't do anything about her lost gear.
@@kurtmagbujosyes? They can compensate her?
Announcing to the TSA or AA the value of your equipment was an invitation to the thieves within TSA or AA to steal it. I'm sure they're watching for opportunities like this to steal from the customers.
I would refuse to board a plane if they insisted on checking the bag. At most airports the baggage handlers do not work for one airline and at London Heathrow have often been arrested for theft. They never let lithium batteries go in the hold so explain their own rule and insist on it being carry on. If the size and weight is legal they have no right to demand it goes into hold. I'd happily have it under seat in front where I can see it.
Great point.
Not really, they could just let you carry on your batteries, and make you check the remainder
@@gordonlister8242 "if the size and weight is legal"...
No Jared, absolutely wrong. The airline insisted, INSISTED, that she check the bag against her protests. At that point they accepted responsibility for it knowing full well that it wasn't just a bag full of clothes. She made the best choice she could in a difficult situation, trusting that the airline would do the right thing, as they usually do. Blaming her is out of line.
That said, you're correct in saying, basically, that you should never put your livelihood in the care of others. It sucks that we can't trust one another any more, and we can't trust any corporation to do the right thing either. Of course, that brings up whether the insurance company would do the right thing and replace her gear; if the airline isn't culpable then why should the insurance company do the right thing either, right? Anyway, this is the world we live in now.
But blaming her? No. You go to your room and think about why you're wrong young man.
Yes, she did not have insurance. What are the terms of service for as? I bet there’s restrictions in there for responsibility.
AA.com/ppq
"Liability Limitations:
Liability for loss, delay, or damage to baggage will be limited as follows:
Domestic Travel (wholly within the United States) - $3,500 per ticketed passenger."
Jared, it is nice advice but you are wrong. Some companies push too much about their process and don't even listen or care what you bring in your back. Not all but most of them don't care.
Jared, do you think that if Andrea Polito's accusers had a "limited liability" statement on their facebook page, the Judge would not have decided on $1 million compensation?
The Court decides the liability, if THEFT (a felony) is involved. Otherwise thieves would be walking around with limited liability unilateral statements...
There's another desperate but effective measure in such a case: take the main camera with the main lens out, wear it around your neck like a tourist, put two lenses one on each pocket, give the other lenses to your friends/co-travelers, and hand the empty bag to the agent.
I carry my gear in a Pelican Air and pay for early boarding, seat upgrade, or anything that will enable me to get on the plane and ensure overhead space for my gear. That said, it doesn't help you when you have to transfer from one plane to another and they have already let all the groups board your second leg before you get there (and, no they will not refund the early boarding fee they charged you!). In that case (as it was last week) I do what Jared said and paid a young student $50 to check her carry on so I could put my bag there. She was happy for the cash and I was secure with my gear. Good thing, too, because my actual checked luggage never made it out of Chicago (my transfer point on United) but my carry on Pelican with my gear was safely in my hands! Here's another tip: choose a seat by the window if you can. Most airlines assign window seats lower boarding group numbers.
Only because of the name, I am guessing you also don't panic and carry a towel? But, that is good advice.
A couple of years ago when traveling from Australia to New Zealand for work I was informed at the ticketing booth that I was not able to carry on my camera backpack because it weighed more than the 7kg max allowed! Forget bag size (which was easily under), in that part of the world they will actually weigh your carry on luggage. I was flabbergasted, as I've never heard of such a thing in North America.
I pleaded as many have mentioned here, but the check in staff weren't having a bar of it. I put the onus on them and then removed as many lenses, my laptop, and some other small bits in a small handbag that weighed below their small weight allowance and checked the rest of my bag, after wrapping it with piles of fragile tape and having the staff guarantee that it would be at the other end. Funny enough, the batteries didn't cross their minds and went under the plane! 😳
It all turned out fine but I learned some things from that trip and continue to now from this photographers nightmare situation. Our gear weighs a lot and it's damn near impossible to get it on a flight under 7kg. Now I travel with the laptop in a small separate bag and cut back on the equipment I'm taking when traveling within the Oceania region. If anyone has thoughts or feedback with the weight limitations in mind, let's hear them. There isn't a great way around it when bringing a bunch of photo gear on flights in that part of the world.
Been living and coping with those restrictions for years. It makes you consider what you really need, I mean do I really need to pack those 10 lenses that I haven't used in 15 years, just because I own them lol.
I'm a hobbyist and I'll soon fly American on vacation with a camera backpack I just bought. Before buying, I checked American's carry-on requirements. They allow bags up to 45 linear inches (L + W + H) and 40 lbs. My kit meets those specs. Another UA-camr mentioned that, if challenged, you point out the numerous lithium-ion batteries you probably packed. By FAA regulation, they must be carried on, not checked. As for insurance, I need to update my personal insurance, all right.
check those limits again......
@@lelandsmith2320 Still the same on American. 22" x 14" x 9" (45 linear inches) and must fit the airport's baggage sizer (i.e. it must fit the TSA scanner).
If the timing works, I FedEX my gear straight to the location or hotel. I pay to get the stickers to send back home, and ship those inside the Pelican cases. Alternative: Rent some gear and have it shipped.
Exactly, there are better options than taking huge amounts of photography equipment as carry on. I just don't think the safety of other passengers should be put at risk because we want to protect our equipment. I only take the allowable weight of carry on, then either courier or rent what else I need. If full that bag she "lost" may have weighed 15-20kg, 2 to 3 times the carry on allowance. Can you imagine that flying through the air if a locker broke open during turbulence? We'd then all be blaming the airline for injuries caused,
My gear always come with me when I fly...in my backpack...and I fly Business/First Class, small price to pay for the peace of mind. That being said, AA lost her stuff, they will have to replace it...take ‘em to court!
On point Fro! And great point on knowing the aircraft types.
If you don't have TOO much camera gear to bring on a plane, I recommend using a Think Tank StreetWalker V2.0 camera backback. It's about the biggest spacious backback that can easily fit underneath a seat on any plane big or small. Depending on what you're bringing, it can accommodate quite a lot. 2 camera bodies with a 24-70 2.8 and a 70-200 2.8 with a flash? No problem! Basically, if you can fit it in the bag and underneath the seat, you will never run into an issue with taking it on the plane with you.
Good suggestion. To be honest, if you need more equipment than that, then you should be looking at freight or rental. There are safety issues with heavy items in the cabin area. In Australia, parts of Europe, most of Asia carry on is restricted by weight and size, so she'd have to have it checked over here.
Thank you for the advise, it is good to know and also what company to trust and which not.
If anyone tries to gate chrck your bag explain that they have lithium batteries and its against faa regulations to have them checked and musy be carried on, if they claim that uou can remove the batteries explain that they also havr built in ones (button batteries are lithium battery too technically)
Thanks for this video! It was a reminder that I needed to add my 5d mark iv and new 35mm added to it!
Fully agree with you here Jared, you are so spot on. I have worked for most of the major airlines in the US and although I’m not saying that the airline does not have some liability in the loss (hence their coverage) there will always be some kind of limit, and it is the responsibility of the passenger to know that limit when they are carrying items of high importance and value. This liability and contract is something you technically agree to when purchasing a ticket. That being said, every single one of the ideas you had were better alternatives than letting her equipment leave her side. I have told many a passenger that nobody else is going to take care of something that is important to you better than you. As another example, I have seen so many people leave medications in their checked bags that they claimed were necessary to live. Why would you ever separate yourself from something that you need to live? In my opinion, if your livelihood is your camera gear, that could be considered much the same as medication. If worst came to worst, I would have asked for a later flight so that I could stay with my bag, but I do believe you had many great solutions including literally wearing or carrying on as many of the pieces that you could possibly hold in your hands. At the end of the day, whether your flying or doing any other activity, if you can’t live without it, don’t let it leave your side. All that being said, I am very sorry for her loss as well, no matter the circumstance or who is at fault it still really sucks.
One thing I notice isn't mentioned is having a GPS like Spot Trace in your bag. Really funny when the po po knocks on the thieves door and gets your stuff back!!!
thank you so much this was very helpful advice
Good advice. It's never a good idea to check expensive camera gear, jewelry, medication, anything of the sort. I've had lost and damaged luggage, it's bound to happen to anyone if you travel enough. I've been fortunate enough to have good experiences with the airlines to reconcile my belongings though. Always a must to get insurance on anything you value that much. Can you do a bag review?
Man that would be horrible! Not a frequent flyer here. Is there a way to insure your bag at the airport?
Ive flown several times with my 600 f/4 in the lowepro bag for it. A few times I was told I would have to leave the bag at the end of the ramp to be checked. I took the tags from the person, said "OK" and just walked onto the plane with it.
Right on Jared, thanks. Your responsible commentary enables self help. Easy to blame AA. I like your approach of using intelligent dialogue to solve the problem in addition to being insured.
Does My Gear Vault work without the super phone apps ? I do NOT have a super phone
LOVE THE VIDEO! I travel a lot and checked my bag once. I’m insured with USAA and always keep it current. Damn sad mistake on photographers part and definitely negligent to let it lapse🤦🏾♂️
Curious what kind of coverage there would be besides equipment only?
Does my gear vault have insurance for international user? Or does this apply to only usa?
I currently live in Thailand. Anybody know camera insurance for photographer residing in thailand? I still having trouble finding one.
I just came back from Tokyo Monday and my camera gear was in a carry-on canvas bag. I wanted to keep it nearby at all times.
Insurance? What if it was an American insurance company as competent as American Airlines? 😂 😂 😂
There is a lot of negative comments on this thread. Jared is trying his best to help photographers save their equipment. For sure if you place $13k of photogear in checked luggage, it is Christmas in July for some baggage handler. Yes AA will shell out $3.5k but you got to go through the proof process. For my money, overhead bin is the only way to go.
Which bags you mentioned? Can you please give B&H links?
what if i want the insuranse but for my tv and my whole gaming equipement and my pc. my photography laptop everything. and more please let me know i need an insuranse
I am living in Malaysia, what is the best insurance for my camera gears please?
thank you saying i flight to Cebu Philippines i would hate lost my camera gear go missing i always carry on plane last 10 years i love your channel deep points
Good video. I NEVER leave my gear without my eye on it :) BTW good app!
@Jared does GearVault policy applies for non-USA user?
What companies can I use to insure my cameras. I'm new at this
Please download MyGearVault which is free and check out the tab that says insurance.
How much it costs (in USA ) to insure, for ALL RISKS, 13k worth of photo equipment?
Just a quick comment - I didn't think that you are allowed to check bags in with Alkaline and Lithium Ion batteries? I travel with Qantas / American and their policy is that batteries of these types must be carried on, not checked.
Do the insurers connected through MGV support Australian based videographers?
Recommendations for insurance for a hobbyist photographer in the U.S.?
All Excellent advice
I've been there with being told to check my camera bag and eventually they relented and let me on with it, I was not happy to check my kit and it was a good call as my checked bag went AWOL, although it did eventually turn up, but who would want that stress, my checked bag just had clothes, a lot less stressful to lose!
Ok, where’s the link to that bag you use?
Great tips buddy
Its sounds harsh but Jared is speaking the truth right here.
I’d like to use MyGearFault but they told me I was SOL on drones.
Must admit I always go to the airport a day before flying and get it checked I can take my manfrotto hand luggage on board. I have invested to much money on my equipment to loose it.
In the Army I learned early on that I could delegate all the 'authority' I wanted (mostly), but I could never delegate responsibility. Using that in this case, the Photographer (Business Owner) delegated the authority of her bag to the airline/airport, they have limited liability we all agree to by buying a ticket. So when it comes up missing or stolen, then they only pay up to the max listed in the policy. The business owner (photographer) has the responsibility to ensure the gear transports only to their criteria and that they have adequate insurance in the event of catastrophic loss. Whenever I buy a piece of new equipment I add it to my policy rider and it is on auto pay.
Best explanation yet!!!
Andy Sams, ok responsibility, so it's her responsibility to make sure that AA/Airport doesn't hire thieves and scumbags? No! that responsibility is solely on AA/Airport not her. Whatever the max payout on AA/Airport policy is that's not the last word either. She can do the American thing called SUE them Jared and she can still win in court not only because AA/Airport is responsible but this has happened numerous times and the blame can be placed on American Airlines or and the Airport Negligence. It's the action of the thieves that AA/Airport hired and that alone that made this crime happen so AA/Airport could be the responsible party, not the victim with or without insurance. Sorry she needs to find representation on her behalf and sue AA/Airport. No blame or fault of hers.
Who wants to go to court and fight the fight that isn’t needed. You are responsible for your gear period.
Jared Polin who wants to get their gear stolen? Nobody! That statement makes little to no sense in a case like this. The moment i turned my gear over to AA/Airport they took responsibility for my gear and thats why AA/Airport has insurance because in the end their responsible and libel if my gear gets stolen or mishandled. AA/Airport is a business and she paid for that service from AA/Airport. She's putting her gear in their hands as part of the service Jared. The gear didn't get stolen on her watch, she didn't even have the gear AA/Airport did, their responsible for it and i'm not really sure why you're don't get that. Stop mixing up what might be common sense to you with who's responsible and libel for a crime & bad service period.
The problem is responsible an liable are completely different terms, and the airlines liability is defined by their ticket policies, as they are not common carriers. You enter into that agreement voluntarily. Airlines will provide some coverage as a gesture of "good will" but it is always limited. The question/point here is what is the airlines policy on the weight of carry on, as most have an upper limit (some as low as 7kg), and did that bag weigh more than the limit? If it did, it then becomes a safety issue, and should be checked.
Jared thanks. I have full worldwide business coverage on my camera and computer gear on a policy with my home and auto insurance company. Also I have $1Million dollar liability policy for my freelancing as part of this same policy. Jared your Gear Vault and insurance is another great option. I always get into the first group to board. Also if you can show you have professional camera or video gear, most US airlines have a not-publicized policy to let you board first and even have an additional carry-on for your gear. I have had to educate some gate folks to that, and when they checked their airline's policy, they found out I was correct. All these things should be checked before you get to the airport. Also Jared you are correct to have different size gear bags to fit the limits of the aircraft you will be on. Again that can be checked ahead of time. Interestingly Southwest Airlines has the largest carry-on size allowed of domestic carriers . The largest Think Tank bag will meet their size limits for carry-on. Many International flights on larger aircraft also will fit this largest carry-on size. Just remember if your final connecting flight from your International carrier is on a smaller aircraft, then you need to pack accordingly with the smaller sized gear bag. Cheers
As the father of a muscian, she was told to always board first with prioity boarding and just let them know she carrying a valuable instrument. The photographer might try the same thing next time.. I am sure the gate person would be sympathetic if you a a camera bag with over $10,000 worth of gear in it.
Hey buddy, can you please consider doing a tutorial / guide on the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 ! 🙏🏼📸
Hey jared (or anyone) can i insure my Gear in the netherlands in the MGV app
same thing happened to me last year. i had 2 weeks between my old insurance carrier and me deciding on who to go to next since i wasnt satisfied with my previous insurance and within those 2 weeks, someone stole my A7SII out of my bag at a wedding. i was fucked but i learned my lesson and now i make sure to never let that happen again
Great advice
Not easy to opt for the next flight Jared. so i pay the insurance for damages/theft. checked in my bag (forced to), airlines loses the bag and now the recovery is loaded on my insurance and the next following year, i pay higher premium. Sorry, the airlines would need to pay or claim from their insurance not my insurance.
Anyway, the baggage was lost by the airport resources. i don't accept that they should go free. there has to be some accountability otherwise things will keep missing and the airlines won't make any improvement on security. think about it, if things can go missing, then 'odd' things can be added to.
so true... close mouths, dont get fed!...got to speak up and ask. great video!
Another way one can use the canceled flight air line employee to help secure overhead space on different flight. They listen to each other & help.
I insure but I also FedEx my gear in a well padded pelican case marked fragile, scheduled to arrive the same day that I do. Spendy but it is trackable, added insurance keeps my claim history to 0 if the worst should happen, as safe as lugging it through an airport and stashing it on a plane, and makes my travel far less of a hassle. I only travel with my gear about 5 times a year so this may not be cost worthy for more frequent flyers.
I take my camera places. I try to put it on my carry-on, if it's not overly delicate or expensive. It works for me!
The problem is that flying suck to no end. We are treated like sh.. and post 911 it just got worst. I can't fit in regular seat because of the length of my legs and can't get accommodation so me and each person on each side are uncomfortable just because they decided to removed every single each possible between rows of seats. They lose luggage way too often or you get them 2-3 days later because the luggage went another way than you. You get delayed continuously etc. We can't trust them so the result is we need special insurance to protect us from them. Sure she should have had her insurance active but the problem at the source is how poorly ran are those aviation companies. You basically give them the right to lose or mishandle the luggage by accepting the condition of flying. The less I need to fly the better. Southpark had it right in their episode called "the entity".
It's been 2 years Jarad, any update on what finally happen?
Can I just keep my camera bag in my airplane seat or under the seat??
my gear volt for australia and international would be amazing
Tippy35075 INDIA also
No, no, not stealilng... My Gear Volt shocks you if you don't buy at least 1 new Lens, Body, or Lighting Instrument / month.
Always check something when you fly with your gear. That is your ace. If they try to make you check your gear tell them no and that you have checked bags and you will not fly with your gear checked. You have basically placed the airline in the condition of either finding your checked luggage and taking it off or let you take your gear onboard. Guess which one is easier. They will find a place for your gear on the plane instead of trying to find your bags in already loaded checked bags and delaying the flight while they search. The checked luggage can't fly without the passenger on the plane.
I’m a newish photographer in the United States what insurance will cover camera gear?
Not sure about the US as we only have one choice in my province but I'd suggest talking to your bank and making some calls to various agencies to find out and get insurance tell them the value and keep it up to date.
Insurance is everything. I even have insurance for my fitbit hahaha! When i travel especially i make sure its all covered.
What are some solid insurance options for camera gear in the US? I’m not sure where to look for them
Does MGV and the insurance partners offer coverage outside the US?
just Canada right now.
I put all of my gear into My Gear Vault and tried to get insurance though them. Unfortunately they won’t insure me because I shoot sports. 😑
Some country especially Asia insurance for gear may not be available
In Kenyan supermarkets, shoppers are not allowed to check in their laptops or other highly valuable items to the luggage area because the supermarkets do not want to be liable to any lost equipment. If a company cannot insure the safety of my luggage, let them allow me to seek alternatives. Let me carry my bag with me to the plane and if no empty compartments, I better have my equipment under my seat
Thanks for the info. I'd rather give someone $20 than lose years worth of equiptment
Insurance helped one of our local aurora photographer's recently 25k worth of gear stolen from his house, he got 20k so not everything but a solid chunk covered. I looked for what he lost on the used market withoutcsny luck he checked pawn shops, that was the only stuff taken from his house. Don't just have insurance for travel have it regardless, then don't forget about at fault damage I've definitely tripped with gear on me and never actually landed on anything but it only takes once, or fire, flood etc...just have it insured
I find the debate here is interesting. As a professional, it is your responsibility to your client that you are fully insured, not just for your equipment, but for public liability. The first question I ask, even of a handyperson that I might be employing is our you insured. Maybe it is a question we should be asking of photographers that we employ. The other issue is that technically it costs a professional photographer nothing to be fully insured because it is a legitimate business expense and therefore a tax right off. So I agree with Jared it is negligence on behalf of the photographer. Also I think one does need to be insistent with officials at an airport.
I was listening to you talk about this on the daily fro, out walking the dog with headphones I was like “oh ok poor lady” the you got to the no insurance ...”nooooooo!” I shouted much to the amusement of everyone else in the park, but damn! No insurance, should’ve downloaded my gear vault and got a policy that auto renews
Well one can argue loosing a flight is not bad option. One can also pay for flight with special cradit card there r some giving u insurance maybe not high enough but something. Talk to ur most valuable credit card people perhaps u can for free or some extra have better travel luggage insurance. Than if u paid with credit card some like I said do have some coverage if ur luggage disappear or ur flight canceled. But if u find that kind of card make sure u using that always everyday everywhere so u making them money than as valuable customer they will go extra mile for u. It's good to be loyal helps. Thx for video very good topic.
I complete agree with Jared here. Even as a novice with two extra lens and one body. A security agent asked me to check my bag and I straight up laughed in his face and told him to get lost it wasn’t happening. He insisted and I said you better hold that plane while I switch my camera equipment into my backpack then, as I was sweating profusely from running to catch my flight in the first place. They can’t leave without you. You paid money. He said absolutely. Then as boarding started and people are looking at me like I’m Batshit crazy shuffling shit around and cussing to myself. As I finish putting my bullshit in my checked bag and my camera gear in my carry on, the clerk saw I was clearly upset- and let me board early for my inconvenience. YOU are solely responsible for your equipment. Don’t board the plane, is you bag is worth 13,000!!!!!! Are you stupid? I flight only costs a few grand and a another flight will come in a few hours. YOU PAID FOR IT, for Christ sake
Afroman,
I have seen some remark perhaps on DPR saying that a guy is checking in together with his camera gear a SMALL FLARE GUN, this is considered a firearm and this way is taken care of by the undercover flight Marshall, so it is much better protected and a very suspicious security guy is sniffing around your stuff so it will not be stolen.
You may lose this POS flare gun, but it is qualifying your photogear to a super VIP treatment. What do you make if it?
1. Get all the gear in the backpack or a Pelican Air.
2. Check in luggage with solid bodies and locks. The Pelican luggage with 2 locks on it.
3. Don't count on insurance and be sloppy. The insurance can't replace the entire gear most of the time and it's a hassle anyways.
A few years ago I flew to Texas on American Airlines. They lost my bag with my DSLR camera, lenses, PS3, PS4 and a bunch of other gaming stuff in it. I've never had that happen on any other airline. It was just very suspicious that my bag was the only bag that was lost lol it was probably the most expensive bag on the plane.
2:58 what's up with the sound there?
I forgot say it.
That sucks. I guess I've been lucky, I've travelled extensively including many flights to Australia which include stopovers - increasing the chance of your checked luggage going missing. Plus, because they were all long trips, so I needed a few days worth of clothing and essentials going into my carry-on, including the main camera, and also a large messenger bag with a few camera essentials. It's basically treated in the same way as a handbag for ladies, or purse as I believe you call it in the US.That leaves little room for more lenses, other camera bodies, tripods, etc. Touch wood, so far I've been lucky, the checked baggage camera gear is well padded with clothing and other padding items, and is in a hard case for extra measure. I've only had my checked baggage lost once, years ago before I had loads of camera gear, they'd forgotten to take it off the flight and it got carried to the final destination the plane was booked for. Again, I was lucky, I had diplomatic contacts who helped retrieve it all for me in a couple of days.
I definitely need to get insurance now, and you've helped remind me of that, so many thanks Jared! I not only have a few thousand pounds of camera gear, but DJ gear as well. The DJ gear goes in a van, and I've made sure the company transporting it on my house move has it covered on insurance.
Pre wuflu I flew at least 4x per year. One of the horrors was putting up with people who had oversized carryons or who put both their carryon and their personal item in the overheads which hogged up all the overhead space. You know who you are! Be that as it may, United was finally cracking down on oversized carryons and making people check them at the gate. Thank you!
So, fit your stuff in a standard size carry on
Put the most important in your personal item which goes under the seat.
Even if you have insurance, carry the most important stuff with you but not in an oversized bag.
The airline websites have the size limits clearly posted but be aware that they vary from flight to flight and plane to plane.
PS: don't expect flying to ever be the same as it was before the pandemic. Right now, people are getting thrown off flights right and left, flights cancelled, etc. Watch your stuff.
Hello'' Q: Please ' I got the MB-D17 free from Nikon on a fathers day deal for the D500 w/18 to 80mm f/2.8 The Nikon rep: told me the MB-D17 is a battery pack Thus Just an extra battery for the camera' Now I've seen and heard You-tube reviewers mention that the battery pack gives a faster FPS ? as I understand FPS in a camera or? denotes buffer and memory combined for a faster response. so ... how does an extra battery speed up a set process of buffer to memory? Thank you ' Fro Knows"
I am not a pro photographer but have good stuff. When I fly I never take more than will fit in a photo back pack. All of my good stuff is listed on a personal property policy rider for replacement cost. In have a Delta credit card to be able to board zone 1. My first reaction to this story was that the photographer did not use good judgement. Worst case , put me on the next flight. Unfortunately one has to assume that any checked baggage can be lost or stolen.
Hey Fro, I like the concept of the gearvault app, pitty is not interbational, so I can't use it.
You can use it to enter and organize all your gear but right now we don’t offer coverage over there. One day we will
Jared Polin I know, that's what I use it for, it's really cool anyways 👍
You got me now. I just went through my gear and did a rough value on it by adding up what I paid for it, and I'm over $15,000. I don't know what I'd do if something like this was to happen. Just down loaded your app and will be getting insurance quotes pronto.
that's why we created it!!!
Jared Polin thanks for offering an app like this. I kept blowing it off since I'm just a " hobbyist". But after sitting back and surveying everything I've built up over the past few years..... holy cow its hard to believe how much it all adds up to. It's worse that a drug habit lol. At least I have something to show for it and get to make some few bucks on the side with it.
She didn’t use MyGearVault
I went through mygearvault and they told me that they no longer will cover non-professional's camera gear. I was very dissappointed.
If she gets a lawyer, they are on the hook for the bag. It will take a while, but she will recover damages. This came from a person that worked for an airline. Squeaky wheel gets the oil. Nobody is going to take an L. that big. One of those workers stole that bag if it hasn’t been found after 5 days. Put it on her on all you want.
Maybe not 13000, especially after she retains a lawyer, but shes not going to get 100 either. They can wave responsibility all they want, but in court they are going to have to answer up. They will not be able to hide behind such a generic disclosure.
She's gonna take an L, she can get lawyers but then she's paying legal fees.
Yah I think I said that.
CJ Majest and Shi: If she proves theft, the Court will give her a) full gear compensation, b) all losses of profit, c) legal fees. That's the general practice in every case where "wrongdoing" (misdemeanor or felony) is proven.
$600 in damages for a bag.......
I blame the airline for loosing the bag and they need to fork over the money or find the stuff. I do agree that the photographer needed to make sure she still had insurance before traveling especially since that is her job. I don't have specific insurance on my camera stuff because it is covered under our house insurance (I checked to make sure). Now if I make my photography a business, then I would need extra coverage. I do carry anything I don't want to loose with me on a plane including my camera(s). I can't afford to buy another one either can my dad who bought me the one I have so it will always be with me in a small carry on.
I want to use your Gear Vault. My problem is with the android program. The only way to use it is with my android phone. You know, the one with the small screen. I have tried 4 times now to add my gear. It's not working for me. I know you also offer it for IOS. I may be wrong but doesn't the IOS program work on any Mac from a phone, tablet, or mac computer. I am sure I could as well as would use it if you offered your program for Windows 10. I really like the idea of listing all equipment you own as well as being able to get insurance on it all in one stop. Please, please consider porting your program over to Windows!!!!!!!
Just take 1 camera, 1 or 2 lenses that fits in a small bag you can hold on your lap. Problem solved.
This is why there are tracking devices in every bag I travel with - regardless if it's a checked bag or carry on. I fly Delta almost exclusively, and their app tracks your bags and gives notifications.
With gps? How much is the unit what’s it called? Shoot me an email Jared at FroKnowsPhoto dot com
Very curious about this as well.
On reddit, a saw a post where somebody had an apple airtag on their baggage, it was just stuck in a room in an airport.
American Airlines should not be blamed for losing the bag, it should be prosecuted for theft instead. Stop victim blaming.
Shang-Hsien Yang Read that comment Jared. You're just plain (no pun intended) wrong. Stop giving excuses for selling/justifying your app.
So I spoke for probably 6 min before mentioning MGV. The point is "I had insurance, but it had lapsed"! And as I said in the video YES AA shares blame but at the end of the day if this is your profession, you're at fault.
Fault on two sides of course but as a pro, you need insurance period. And yes, use my APP would help people who don't know they need insurance. PLUG AWAY I WILL.
So would you honestly say that not having insurance isn't a dumb decision for a photographer with $13,000.00 worth of gear and who depends on it for a living? It is at least negligent and irresponsible as a professional on her part. Both the photographer and AA share the blame.
You may as well blame every victim who got robbed for not buying insurance. Is it better to get insurance for expensive equipments? YES. Should we blame the victim for getting robbed? NO. Simple as that.
2 separate issues -- 1. a HUMAN(s) stole or lost that luggage - that person(s) is at fault. Blaming a corporation for one incident is ludicrous. You don't blame McDonald's because your burger didn't have ketchup on the bun. You blame that employee. 2. In a separate issue, it IS her fault for letting insurance lapse. Whether she ever lost gear or not, that's her bad - she gambled and lost. It just sucks for her that theses two things came together at the same time. My guess is she's in a little bit of denial and is lashing out at AA to pressure them for replacement costs. Good luck with that.
i always carry a .45 or 9mm on me and or in my bag, that i keep on me at all times.
i had heard stories about photogs getting robbed. i will shoot to protect my stuff. but everyone in colorado is packing.
great video jared. peace to one and all.
i shoot weddings and family groups but its in rocky mountain national park and mountain lions have almost killed rangers there.
bears, elk, moose. yes, for protection for me, my gear, my rig from anyone with sticky fingers. yes they allow firearms in national parks now.
do NOT enter ANY structure even a pisser or its a federal offense. remember that one....
thanks for your comment on my comment. photographer and concerned citizen here. i am ccw in co and graduate of the best police school in the state.
its a little different than ny. they have the make my day thing here. i dont want this thread to go out of control. i know the laws here. not you gewglesux but anyone else that makes a comment on it. same rule as flying my drones around. rule 1. be packing. open carry when flying a drone. way less hassle. trust me. cuts the tough guy "your looking at my kids bla blah blah....kind of stuff. peace and stay safe shooting. thanks again for your friendly comment and glad your packing in NY! you are one of the lucky ones from what i have seen. looks tough to get there but every sheriff here gives them out like candy for a few bucks. except the city and county of denver. thats snowflake territory.
damn! i am not kidding you. in my driveway. here. 3 times i had encounters. look at my videos. thanks again and safe to you and happy shooting/flying. it is beautiful out here. check out some of my drone videos and see