Airport Antidote on the Plane

The antidote for a small plane is a small backpack with a briefcase to carry the maximum amount of gear. Although the Airport Antidote is small, it will hold more gear than imagined.

Small CRJ planes frustrating for photographers.

We receive comments on a regular basis from photographers flying on small planes, such as a CRJ. They are extremely small and are often used for business commuters going from town to town. The stated overhead compartments size is 18 x 14 x 7.” One very successful combination is to use our Airport Antidote (which fits in the overhead) in combination with the Airport Check In briefcase (which fits under the seat). This really allows the maximum amount of carry on without taking unusual measures such as putting our Airport Security roller under the seat (this is possible, but often the stewards will not allow it).

Airport Antidote in a Canadair CRJ

This is an excellent photo of the backpack in the really, really small compartment of a CRJ. Note the laptop case has been removed from the front. The Airport Antidote is one of the few sold that will hold a Pro size SLR and still fit in the overhead. Says Reed Hoffmann:

“I used the Airline Antidote backpack for my camera gear, carrying about 20lbs in it with D2X, D200, 70-200 2.8, 17-55 2.8, 12-24 2.8 55 macro, TC14, SB800, Lens Baby, charger, cards, etc. The Charger for the laptop was in the top zippered pocket under the handle. I took off the waist belt.”

“I flew everything from little Canadair regional jets to 770. Never had a problem. In the Canadair (see photo) the backpack easily slid into the tiny overhead compartment.”

Photo courtesy of Reed Hoffmann. To learn more about Reed, go to www.reedhoffmann.com.

Airport Antidote in a medium size overhead compartment.

This is probably the normal size of the overhead of planes flying today. Although in this photo the laptop case has been removed, note that there would be enough room to have it inserted into the front pocket. But normally, most photographers take their laptops out and put them under the seat. Needless to say, if you do not carry a laptop you can use the laptop case to hold papers, books, files, and other essentials you may need during the flight.

Photo courtesy of Reed Hoffmann. To learn more about Reed, go to www.reedhoffmann.com.

Airport Antidote plus the Airport Check In briefcase

This is what the backpack and a briefcase looks like in a large overhead bin. Says Reed:

“The Briefcase carried my Mac G4 laptop (15-inch) inside the Airport Antidote laptop pouch, iPod, 80GB USB2 drive, point-and-shoot camera, card reader, book, tickets, toothbrush, candy, earplugs, eye mask, etc. etc.”

“On the rest of the jets (including 757, 770, Airbus 320 and MD-88) I put the backpack up top, then yanked the Antidote laptop pouch out of the Briefcase and put the Briefcase up top also, which gave me lots of leg room (yeah!).”

(Note that Reed took the Artificial Intelligence 15 laptop case out of the Airport Antidote backpack, and then put it in the rear compartment of the Airport Check In briefcase.)

Photo courtesy of Reed Hoffmann. To learn more about Reed, go to www.reedhoffmann.com.

Airport Antidote Under the Seat

The clearance under most airline seats is 8.5 - 10.5” depending on the type of airplane. The photo shows the Airport Antidote with the AI 15 laptop case under the seat, with the laptop case open to remove the laptop. On many planes, the backpack can also be put horizontally under the seat, giving you more leg room.

Airport Antidote Horizontal Under the Seat

On many airplanes, this backpack will also fit horizontal under the seat, even with the laptop case in the front pocket. If you fly the same airline consistently, it is wise to note which seats have the most space under the seat, not only for your comfort, but also in the case that you have to put your backpack under the seat.

The backpack can be easily inspected.

When going through security, if they require your bag to be inspected, it is very important that your gear is clearly visible and can be inspected with ease to get through as fast as possible. The Airport Antidote backpack allows everything to be seen by opening the main compartment. Compare that to a backpack that requires all sorts of pockets to be emptied and laid on the table to be inspected. Not only does it take time, it’s frustrating for you and the inspector.

The Artificial Intelligence 15 (included) under the seat.

The laptop case fits easily under the seat, providing for plenty of leg room. When you get to your seat, easily pull the laptop case out of the front pocket before you put it in the overhead compartment. This way you can either work on your laptop or access other critical papers and books that you may have. Immediately after take off, lean the bag up against your seat, under your calves, horizontally to fully stretch your legs out.

Think about the Airport Check In briefcase.

You should seriously think about using the Airport Check In briefcase with this backpack. This is a great combination. All of your photo equipment can be in the backpack, and you can weigh it to make sure it is the proper carry on weight. The briefcase can be filled with your laptop, cords, cables, batteries, and all the other stuff that is required. This balances the weight between two carry on pieces of luggage. It is also very professional looking, and does not look like traditional camera bags or backpacks, which is clearly an advantage.