What kind of lock for Pelican case?

I need 2 padlocks for a Pelican 1650. I'm flying from the Pacific NW

to Las Vegas in April and want to protect my gear as much as

possible. I've seen some round style padlocks that are difficult to

use bolt cutters on. Should I even worry if the bad guy who is

working the cargo hold on the day that I fly has bolt cutters? Thus

making regular padlocks fine. I would think that if the thief didn't

know what a Pelican case was, he wouldn't be interested. It looks

like a suitcase. Wheels and a handle even. Anybody using some

specific locks on their cases? This is kind of important, no?

The best thing to do is to make it NOT look like camera equipment or somethimg inside is valuable. Those padlocks with the hardened steel hasps are only as good as the hasp on the case that it goes through and will certainly attract attention. Most likely the whole thing will just disappear anyway giving the crook all the time in the world to open it.

The hasp on the Pelican can be cut with any decent wire cutters or melted-off with a cigarette lighter. Better to stuff the case into one of those dog-ugly canvas and cardboard suitcases. But still lock it of course.

Colin,

 

The "Ramp Rats" (baggage handlers) here at MIA (Miami International) seem to have x-ray vision. When they're not too busy smuggling cocaine, anything even remotely resembling a camera case will promptly be broken into. And the pelican cases would be a breeze to violate.

 

It's gotten so bad that there's a new service offered at MIA: they will shrink wrap your checked baggage in yards and yards of thick, tough saran wrap-like plastic material, just to keep the airport's baggage thieves out. Of course they charge you a few extra bucks for this service. They get you coming and going here.

 

Good luck, Sergio.

Carry on everything you can and check in the rest in a diaper bag ect.

Well I think I'm going to ship both ways via FedEx with the Pelican in a plain box. Let's hope The Excalibur will accept a delivery for a guest who isn't there yet. Should cost me an arm and a leg, but is the hassle of an insurance claim cheaper?

Theft doesn't worry me. Pack your case in a sturdy single or double cardboard box, strap it with fiberglass tape and it should avoid both detection and damage. What I do worry about is luggage being lost or misdirected. Not likely if you're on a direct flight, but making a couple of changes, particularly with close flight times, is a recipe for problems.

Remember that most big, international airports are now routinely x-raying checked baggage. (The comment about Miami's baggage handlers having x-ray eyes was right on the money). This means that "camouflage" such as diaper bags and cardboard boxes will be absolutley useless. I carry on everything, using a Lowepro "Pro Roller" case, which looks like a normal rolling carry-on case. Lots of room for my gear (35mm or MF) plus essentials like a toothbrush and emergency underwear :-)