Bess-
Rental House in Orlando: Central Florida Strobe Rental (
http://www.centralfloridastrobe.com/ ). Rented from them many times.
When I fly, all of the expensive stuff goes carry-on in a Think Tank Airport Security roller. I also used to check stuff in via Pelican case, but I don't do this much anymore. The reason is that with the 50lb weight limit...the Pelican weighs quite a bit to begin with. Can't bring much if the pelican weighs 20lbs... 30lbs to put inside isn't much! Often times I'll ship gear ahead of me via FedEx ground, and ship it back the same way. Saves dealing with it at the airport, and cheaper than excess baggage.
My carry-on weighs 48lbs...WAY over the airline limit. I've never had a problem, though, in the US about being questioned. However, traveling within Australia last fall I had problems on all of the domestic airlines there as it's a big deal there.
As far as flying on RJ's (regional jets) and prop planes, I do have to gate-check it... but I've never had a problem. I have gotten on to planes where all of the overheads have been full and I've been asked to check my bag. After telling the flight attendant the value of the contents, and asking for supplemental insurance if it has to be checked, they've found room onboard for me. I even held up the flight once because of it, but they kept it onboard. Supplemental insurance for checked bags is a big pain in the butt for the airline employees to set up, so they generally want to avoid it.
Never check anything that you can't do without when you get to your shoot... like for me, all of my cameras and lenses (unless I'm traveling with long tele's... 400mm or 600mm) stay with me at ALL times.
Best of luck!
(Message edited by isler on February 28, 2007)