Returning from Vermont by way of Detroit yesterday afternoon:

They announced at the gate that the regulations had been changed just five minutes ago: henceforth, travelers could carry on only one carry-on size bag, plus a "personal item" which can be a briefcase size or purse-size bag, or laptop.

My little Lowepro Nova One passed muster as a personal item. I had my M2 and four lenses in it, an M6 around my neck, and a daypack on my back.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), October 10, 2001

Answers

Thanks, Bob...sounds about like what I expected things to shake down to eventually. I guess my small Hadley will count as "purse-sized" - in fact on another thread someone was criticizing the Hadley as 'too much like' a purse.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), October 10, 2001.

Bob:

I want to hear about your trip - How were the fall colors?

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), October 10, 2001.

My job requires me to travel each week from Denver to Los Angeles, with 2 laptops (don't ask) and personal effects, which includes my camera equipment. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, I started looking for alternative carry-on options. When it seemed clear that we wouldn't have to check all items, I decided not to buy 2 Pelican bags, 1 for my laptops, the other for my camera equipment. Instead I bought the Lowepro Stealth backpack. I can't say enough positive things about it. I can comfortably fit both laptops, essential clothes and a camera body plus 2-3 lenses inside. I daresay without the 2nd laptop I could fit more photographic equipment. It's well-designed, comfortable, and doesn't draw undue attention to itself. Security at DIA was tightened Monday, and I saw a lot of people being told to check large carry-on bags. I had no problems with the Stealth as my only bag.

I'm flying back through LAX tonight, so I'll let you know about their interpretation of the FAA's new rules tomorrow.

-- Stuart Dorman (stuart.dorman@us.pwcglobal.com), October 10, 2001.

Jack, the Fall colors were spectacular, with lush reds, pinks, and oranges I wasn't accustomed to seeing in Missouri. We don't have the Sugar Maples and Red Maples they have up there. Sue (my wife) and I stayed in a B&B in Goshen and an inn in Waitsfield. The colors peaked in time for us to see the peak, on the 8th. Although, it would be better to say that there is really no one point that is the "peak" because it is really a process over a period of time, not a single moment. I shot over 400 frames on colors, covered bridges, quaint buildings, and all. There's an area near Goshen called Blueberry Hill, which has spectacular colors, and there's a lot of storybook scenery around the Waitsfield Area. The colors were much farther along up in the Green Mountain area than in the flatter areas close to Lake Champlain. I understand that's quite normal.

I did get quite a bit of use out of my 35, 50, and 90mm lenses. The 28mm got used a bit less, but was needed enough to make it essential for the trip. The 21mm was mostly overkill. It puts a lot a emphasis on the foreground, tending to deemphasize the colorful hilside areas. More is less, sometimes.

Regards,

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), October 10, 2001.

Bob:

Sounds like you had a superb trip! I'll also be interested to hear how your "new" 90 TE performed for you...

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), October 11, 2001.

LAX on Wednesday was pretty straightforward, although the airlines are enforcing the 1 bag + handbag/briefcase rule. Again, the Lowepro Stealth backpack was perfect. But if the FAA tightens the rules again midweek, then I'm screwed...

-- Stuart Dorman (stuart.dorman@us.pwcglobal.com), October 12, 2001.