Transporting OTA and Tripod to Melbourne

questionmak · Post by **questionmak** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:18 pm

Hi All,

I'll be moving to Melbourne next month for a a year or so. I currently wish to transport my 4 inch refractor over with me as part of my hand carry baggage. The OTA is approx. 23 inches in length.

Are there any limitations that I should be aware of? Any tips i should note? any advice is appreciated.

PS: I'm sorry if this post is in the wrong section.

ivanong · Post by **ivanong** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:34 pm

Here is the US FAA rules: The maximum size carry-on bag for most airlines is 45 linear inches (the total of the height, width, and depth of the bag). Anything larger should be checked. Not sure if it applies to your airline- SIA?

23" is pretty long. Make sure the case is very thin, like a Tenba.

Post by **Airconvent** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:43 pm

I recommend you bring a 4" Mak instead for the compactness.
An ETX90 OTA is super small, yet performs like a 6" scope in Singapore under Australian skies. [smilie=cool.gif]

If you need more aperture and refractors, join their local start parties. [smilie=cute.gif]

superiorstream · Post by **superiorstream** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:26 am

Hi,Questionmak
At checkin pt,there is a frame whereby all checkin luggage have to fit to qualify as hand carry.23 ins will not fit into that;and so if they do really check,and you are halfway in some transiting airport you may have to dump your stuff!(can happen if there is a sudden tightening of security due to some terror threat)So I suggest you restrict to max lenght of 17 ins and if necessary take the objective lens out and hand carry it.Do make allowance for inspection as they are very sensitive to round metallic object.
Tell you my experience--when transiting in malaysia--I was called to one corner after x-ray check and surrounded by 3 security.Its due to my round shaped telescope and those round shaped afocal adapters!

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:43 pm

1. check your airline requirement. Eg, now I just pass through airport clearance to hand-carry onboard with a C5 ota, XW, 8x50 finder, quikfinder, 2" diagonal packed into a Pelican 1520 case, about 7kg (10kg max for Jetstar).

2. check airport security requirement. max 2 handcarry luggage of specific dimemsions (as above)

3. now I have been informed that airport security may not allow tripod as hand-carry item for security reasons, so I checked in my tripod & Astroslew IV. On previous flights, I had no problem bringing it as hand-carry item.

Fuzzy · Post by **Fuzzy** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:32 pm

Call up your airline in advance and check with them.

There are usually provisions for odd shaped articles, e.g. Musical instruments. You definitely do NOT want to check it in under any circumstances, and you probably don't want to have to abandon it at the airport.

Worst case scenario...go buy a new scope from Andrews Communications when you head over there, and bring it back with you when you're done in Australia.

It would make way more sense than shipping your current OTA and mount there and then shipping it back when you're done.

superiorstream · Post by **superiorstream** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:43 am

Hi,
Tend to agree with fuzzy.Andrew com have lots of good priced items whose price is the most half that we found in Singapore;but they dont respond to you even when you are in NZ(try before last year)and so if you are going to Australia and near there,its a good option.They even have a "cheap"16 ins Dob-so why not try!

Post by **rcj** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:57 pm

Hey Mak,

Don't think it is a problem for you to carry the 4-incher up the plane to Melbourne. The people at Tullamarine are pretty easy on this. They are more concerned food items brought from onboard the plane. I will be bringing two 3-inches on board to plane when I get back to SG and don't forsee a problem. But to ease all worries, you may like to contact them through http://www.melbourneairport.com.au/

But make sure it is packed properly and the case/bag be able to tuck right up the top cabin shelves.

And no need to think about bringing dry satchets, etc. Too dry here. Which is a good thing. :-)

How's things been?

Remus

questionmak · Post by **questionmak** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:46 am

Hey Remus,

Great to hear from you, things are finally getting underway for me after some delays. I just completed 3 months of ground school in SG and finally am headed for Melbourne in about 2 wks.

I don't suppose they will have any issues with the Porta-Mount that I'm bringing will they?

Or do you recommend I source for a tripod onsite for my scope over in Australia?

When are you headed back?

Post by **rcj** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:22 pm

Hey Mak,

The tripod should be transported as check-in luggage, definitely a no-no up the plane as carry-on. Again, it should be packed properly. AUD is high against SGD right now, so unless u can afford another new tripod, just bring the existing one along if it ain't too much hassle... cheers!