Disguising luggage

[bmyates 5]

There have been numerous threads about the changing approaches we now use for transporting our uw camera gear. In this day of TSA, weight restrictions, etc., we've heard much about the pros and cons of Pelican vs. Storm vs. soft-sided cases vs. Samsonite, etc. I recently posted to a thread about checked luggage, and mentioned that I've now sold all my Pelican cases and now use a "Lightware" case for camera gear.

 

However, I thought it would be useful to actually SEE what different people are using to make their luggage less of a "target" to thieves.

 

I'll start. Here's how I took a perfectly nice Lightware camera case and purposely did a sloppy, tacky job of "disguising" it so it would NOT look like it contains camera gear:

 

[3@5 0]

bruce,

that looks great. the coyote must be laughing

what exact lightware model is that?

/paul

[MikeO 5]

I think is model Pew-36 . . . you know, originally designed for carrying explosive space modulators . . .

[bmyates 5]

that looks great. the coyote must be laughing

what exact lightware model is that?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I actually considered painting "ACME EXPLOSIVES" to be more true to the source of inspiration for the idea, but decided that might "backfire" if my goal was NOT to draw the attention of TSA, baggage handlers, etc. So after much thought, I decided, "What could be more boring than hose and chain?"

 

Just think...if everyone on Wetpixel started painting the same thing on their luggage, people around the world might start thinking, "Wow, that ACME Hose & Chain must be a big outfit!"

 

To answer your question, the case I have is model MF1629 (see Lightware website for details. If you compare inside dimensions, it's big enough to hold as much as some of the larger Pelican/Storm cases. I'm actually planning to also buy the next size down (MF1623), since I think that will be sufficient for many trips.

 

I'm not aware of any of the "local" Wetpixel sponsor shops (like UW Photo-Tech) that carry Lightware cases, but there's a "Dealer" search link on the Lightware site, and I know you can get them at B&H and Adorama.

[james 0]

When I travel with cash and valuable memory cards, I use the brief safe:

 

 

Works every time!

 

Cheers

James

[bmyates 5]

<ROTFL!> James, I assume that's brown shoe polish (please tell me it is!)? Or are these something you can actually buy "pre-dyed" that way?

[james 0]

You can buy them - this an actual commercial product with a secret zippered pocket for your "goods."

 

Cheers

James

[Don in Colorado 2]

Property of St. Mary's convent (or similar idea).

 

Maybe with an image on the suitcase.

[DeanB 19]

HA !!

 

Thats where my 'saturday night' best undies went..!!!

 

You knicker thief..

 

Are they the ones with the custom yellow fronts..

 

Dive safe

 

DeanB

[Poliwog 4]

Awesome skidmarks...

 

Hope you never need any extra cash in public with those brief safes!

 

 

Paul.

[bmyates 5]

Sure enough. Here's where you can buy them (for $9)! Brief Safe

[Guest echeng]

I ordered my lightware case from B&H.

 

I look forward to seeing the case, Bruce! Want to spray something on the side of my cases as well. Maybe we'll standardize with what you've done.

[MikeVeitch 0]

You could always take a pelican case or lightware case or whatever case and drop it into a cardboard box. Then tape it up...

 

Thats what i plan on doing next time i go somewhere with camera

[ChrisJ 0]

When I travel with cash and valuable memory cards, I use the brief safe:

 

 

Works every time!

 

Cheers

James

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

wait a minute... you WEAR this on your trips James?

 

seriously, i just use a hardcase samsonite to move my gear...looks like any regular luggage.

[Guest cor]

seriously, i just use a hardcase samsonite to move my gear...looks like any regular luggage.

I do the same, hardcase samsonite.

 

Cor

 

ps: I think the alert is out already, if you see a bag with Acme on it, nick it..its got expensive stuff in it See..that doesnt work with a hardcase samsonite..you'd have to nick the suitcase every stewardess uses

[RogerC 4]

if I were a baggage thief, like the guy in san juan working for AA getting rich selling dome ports, I think I'd open any case that said "lightware" on it, no matter what was stenciled on it. You might want to get that patch off the side of that bag.

 

I'm going samsonite before my next trip. My nylon sided checked luggage got barfed on by some disgusting liquid on my last trip, soaked through to some clothes, and I had a mask (in a hard case, in the bag, between my jet fins) get mashed and broken, 3rd mask I've had broken in checked baggage. From now on, hard sides, washable exteriors.

[Paul Kay 65]

I don't know about disguising luggage (X ray machines tell what's inside after all) but so far I've had a hood section broken off a dome port and a control rod on a housing bent - depite both being very well packed in 620 Pelicases - when travelling with them as hold luggage. I'm baffled to know how to pack them better protected - or come to that how the baggage handlers manage it!!! Although I had to take off the locks at LA recently, the tie wraps I'd left on had been broken so my baggage had evidently been searched - nothing missing though. All I can say is that I have my gear very well insured.

[Guest cor]

Hi pkg, i actually had the same happen during our last flight. Our 105 port had its bayonet thread partly broken. The hardcase does not look damaged, and nothing else inside the case looks broken. But that bayonet mount is hard plastic, so some serious force was used. It does look like the case was opened. My guess is, they took it out, dropped it, and it broke. And you have no recourse. This would be at Miami btw. They make you leave your case open there, and dont allow you to be present when they inspect your bag.

 

This case is fully packed with foam, and there are more delicate items in there, so I dont see how any other type of impact could have caused this.

 

Cor

[hoovermd 0]

Here is an interesting TSA tidbit: http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editori...torial_1147.xml

 

The interesting statement is: "If screeners determine that it is necessary to open a rig for complete inspection, then the owner of the rig must be present and will be allowed to assist."

 

Unfortunately the "rig" they speak of is a parachute, not a camera.

 

Also of interest is: http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editori...torial_1666.xml

 

This reg states that firearms must be transported in a LOCKED hard case and that you may be present for any required inspection thereof.

 

Here is another one: http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=0900051980069ab5

This is about musical instruments. It is really interesting

 

 

So, all you have to say is that your M-16 Oboe is packed in your locked hardcase wrapped in a parachute.

 

That should gain you the right to watch it being inspected!

 

Why cannot the Photo industry lobby get someting in place to at least allow us to watch our many $$$$ equipment while it is inspected???

 

How 'bout you industry guys putting your collective muscle together?

[bmyates 5]

if I were a baggage thief, like the guy in san juan working for AA getting rich selling dome ports, I think I'd open any case that said "lightware" on it, no matter what was stenciled on it. You might want to get that patch off the side of that bag...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Good point, Roger. I had blacked out the "Lightware" with a permanent marker, but it is still recognizable if you look closely. So this morning I took a pair of pliers to the patch and tore that sucker clean off!

 

BTW, not that it necessarily helps, but in case they do open the case to inspect the contents, I always stick a bunch of swimsuits, underwear, etc. on top of all the camera gear so that at least at first glance the stuff is not quite so obvious. OTOH, no matter how carefully you pack (or disguise B) ) stuff, as someone said, it's especially important to have everything well insured these days!

 

As for how to pack a dome port to protect it, I think it was Alex who recently said he now always packs his domes in those round cake boxes. I'm planning to try that myself...

[RogerC 4]

Why cannot the Photo industry lobby get someting in place to at least allow us to watch our many $$$$ equipment while it is inspected???

 

How 'bout you industry guys putting your collective muscle together?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

boy, are you gonna be sorry you wasted your one wish on that:

 

ASMP & TSA

 

me, I still wish to carry my stuff on board...

[hoovermd 0]

boy, are you gonna be sorry you wasted your one wish on that:

 

ASMP & TSA

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Not a wasted, the genie gave me three. Sometimes just finding out the detail is worth it.

 

The only problem I see witht his is that the ASMP arrangement is NOT published on the TSA site in any way. I've had issues before that were solved by simply brandishing a printout of the "official" TSA document. The public version of the camera policy should state what the ASMP deal is. The there is no dispute when dealing with the "knowledgeable" TSA screeners.

 

I travel a ton (fortunately or unfortunately without my camera most of the time) and I cannot believe the number of screeners that don't even know the regulation on shoes, let alone pony bottles or cameras

[ChrisJ 0]

 

my carryon for hawaii this weekend. i just hope they dont weigh it, because it is a tad on the heavy side. it is just a standard travel-pro carry on. i took some foam from my pelican and transferred it over to this bag. i am also carrying on our regulators/dive comps, and my camera+lenses on a backpack. i am not taking chances anymore with my check in.

[allen 4]

They make you leave your case open there, and dont allow you to be present when they inspect your bag.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

From my understanding with conversations with my local TSA that this is against the rules. You can ask for your bags to be inspected while present then have your own locks installed. They may piss and moan about it but that is your right. I do this for every flight I take almost with out execption not matter what type of toys are in the duffle. I always make sure that I let the counter know and if drop them off or the TSA person when I hand them over to them. About 50% of the time I have to open them the other times they go through.

 

Edit - BTW I got the attention of my local TSA when after a recent trip we realized that we carried on board accidently a dive knife and a lighter. Both were missed by the xray tech and a subsequent hand search. Naturally, we reported this oversight after our trip.

[Rocha 0]

Edit - BTW I got the attention of my local TSA when after a recent trip we realized that we carried on board accidently a dive knife and a lighter. Both were missed by the xray tech and a subsequent hand search. Naturally, we reported this oversight after our trip.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Man, these TSA people just keep surprising me. I understand how one can miss a lighter on an x-ray machine, but not a DIVE KNIFE! On the other side of the spectrum, I had TSA people arguing with me about a PEN that looked like a dagger.

 

Luiz