steeliejim

When the most recent carryon guidelines were announced, I thought I was home free re. carrying my camera equipment onboard British Airways on my trip to Africa from the US through Heathrow.

I finally got a response tonight--after three days--from an on-line query I had made. Here's what was said Dear Mr Jones,

"I am sorry you are disappointed with our previous response.

Electronic equipment, including laptops, mobile phones and portable music and DVD players can now be carried as carry-on baggage. Cameras may not be allowed as carry-on baggage. Your will need to check it in the hold of the aircraft. We are unable to accept liability for such expensive and delicate items. As you wish to carry your camera equipments, please ensure they are covered for any loss or damage under your own personal travel insurance. Our current hand baggage restrications can be found on ba.com at:

https://askba-faqemail.custhelp.com/...ted=1155215804

As government is easing restrictions on hand baggage on flights, I request you confirm this information prior to travel. Contact numbers can be found on ba.com at:

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ctclist/public/

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Anita
British Airways
http://www.ba.com

Next time you have a question about travelling with British Airways, simply go to:
http://www.ba.com/yourquestions

-----------------
Well, I went to the link and it has the same message that has been there the past two days, allowing one briefcase-sized carryon and electronics on-board, but banning liquids (except baby milk/formula). No reference to camera gear, which would lead to a reasonable interpretation that camera gear would be allowed on-board as carry-on as long as it fit into the briefcase-sized bag.

So, has anyone actually had an experience, good or bad, with BA or any other airline, going into or out of Heathrow with camera gear?

Maria_H

I'll also be interested to hear people's experience with this as we're travelling from the UK (Manchester) via Singapore to New Zealand, early October. My new digital camera is one thing but my husband would be very unhappy to check his expensive digital SLR, lenses, etc into the hold and risk it being broken or lost. As part of the enjoyment of holidays for him is photography, he would also not be happy to leave it behind.

I was going to see how things develop over the next few weeks and contact the airline nearer our date of travel. I think the camera issue is worrying my other half more than the terrorist threat!

steeliejim

on the Africa forum, a poster stated that BA told him that camera gear COULD be taken on board so long as the dimensions were not exceeded. The BA rep (Anita) claims that it is the UK Dept. for Transport that is responsible for the "prohibition" but there is nothing on its website referencing cameras. A Chris Chessman wrote an article for a photography website (sorry I don't have the link, but I can probably find it again) citing an AP report that the British Airport Authority told it that camera gear WAS allowed onboard.

I sure hope that BA mechanics and flight crews (my first time flying with them) have their act together better than their Public Relations people--assuming, of course, that Anita is wrong.

Jim

Dukey

Cameras <b>may</b>[emphasis mine] not be allowed as carry-on baggage....

Doesn't say <b>won't be</b> allowed...

I think you need to speak to someone at the airline in person (if at all)

steeliejim

you are right--until you read the next sentences: &quot;Your (sic) WILL NEED TO CHECK IT IN THE HOLD OF THE AIRCRAFT. We are unable to accept liability for such expensive and delicate items.&quot; Anita is a pr person, clearly not an attorney or military spec writer (which I was--spec writer--that is, among other things). But, she is pretty clear, and wrong, I think (hope), re. cameras not being allowed as carry on. But, neither I, nor anyone else ought to assume that carrying them on is no problem. Hence my question.

steeliejim

Just received the following reply to my query re. carrying photo equipment onboard the airplane from a Mr. Groves of BAA Heathrow. Let's hope that the British Airways people at the gates are better informed than Anita from their PR office.


&quot;Dear Mr Jones

Thank you for your email to the BAA Heathrow Press Office.

For clarification: Photographic equipment that does not contain any liquids
or
gels can be taken on board as hand luggage. The cabin bag should be no
bigger than 45cm wide x 35cm long x 16cm deep/high (17.7&quot; wide × 13.7&quot; long
×
6.2&quot; deep/high), including wheels, handles, side pockets - equivalent to a
small
laptop bag or rucksack.

For more information, please see our website on www.baa.com

Kind regards,

Phil Groves
Media Relations Assistant
BAA Heathrow&quot;


Dear Mr Jones

Thank you for your email to the BAA Heathrow Press Office.

For clarification: Photographic equipment that does not contain any liquids
or
gels can be taken on board as hand luggage. The cabin bag should be no
bigger than 45cm wide x 35cm long x 16cm deep/high (17.7&quot; wide × 13.7&quot; long
×
6.2&quot; deep/high), including wheels, handles, side pockets - equivalent to a
small
laptop bag or rucksack.

For more information, please see our website on www.baa.com

Kind regards,

Phil Groves
Media Relations Assistant
BAA Heathrow

kleeblatt

Just came through Heathrow today (for connecting flights) with my camera in my handbag. Absolutely no problem.

coco

Keep in mind that BAA is NOT British Airways but instead the airport authority that runs the facility. Individual airlines' policies may vary within the overall guidelines.

jyabroad

bump

steeliejim

yes, Coco, but in another email to me, Anita from British Airways claimed that the prohibition was by the BK Department for Transport (under which BAA Heathrow operates) and BA was just following it's directive. The BA rep I talked to by phone suggested I carry a copy of Mr. Grove's letter in case I have any trouble. I doubt that would help. Still, it is good to know that Schuler had no problem carrying his camera equipment on board(did you fly BA?). Another &quot;Keep in mind.&quot; While the airlines operating in Great Britain have to comply with UK Dept. for Transportation directives, they are free to be more restrictive. And, from my experience, the actual at-the-gate restrictions can vary depending on who is screening you. Many of us have had experiences of items being confiscated that had been taken off the prohibited list.

kleeblatt

I flew with British Airways.

They also allow liquids bought at Heathrow to go on board.

steeliejim

Were you then headed to the US? Haven't checked again this a.m., but, as of last night, both BA and BAA's websites said liquids were prohibited on board if you are headed to US even if bought past security.

kleeblatt

I flew Seattle - Heathrow - Z&uuml;rich. Liquids and gels are NOT allowed. However, at Heathrow they allow you to buy liquids (alcohol, etc.) at the duty free shops and bring them on board. We saw a clear bag with two bottles of Bailey's being brought on board by a passenger.

I flew with British Airways.