We will check on actual luggage restrictions for changes before our trip to GB and for changes in carry-on limits to and from.  My question is:  My camera will  not be in checked luggage since I do want a camera when we get there. : )  It will be carried on. I don't want to use a camera bag for this carry-on and the few other necessaties in the bag

Those with more experience than I have on such flights might recommend a sort of bag to use for carry-on?   We will get sizes to fit restrictions.  

For a long time, I used bags which we put on the back, but afterwards of long session you can have some pain, especially if your bag have a large size. I recommend you a bag which you put as a belt. It is practical ; front at you, you can take all position for to make a picture.

My suggestion of web here

I have the Adventure 9 (the first one o nthe page there) it is good because as a general use bag you can have a lot of stuff in there and not necessarily all camera and lenses - the top is useful for waterproofs etc.  Anyway - i used it on my trip to peru as carry-on luggage and was flying BA for the transatlantic and LAN for the rest - both had no problem in fitting into the overhead lockers - but just fit in their test size restriction things (although i was never actually asked to prove it met regulations). If the "other stuff" includes a laptop then this bag is for you - has a built in pocket for a laptop.  The added bonus is that to the untrained eye it just looks like a regular backpack (which is why i got it for going to peru - for the added security).

Rich, Valou, thanks for this valuable insight.   Having checked some air carrier restrictions, and knowing it is sometimes the whim of  the clerk as to "accept or check" we do not want unexpected surprises at security checkins.

Both the Adventure 9 and the smaller versions show slightly too thick for BA "template" thing but yours made it.    While many US carriers have a total measure for h, w, d, other carriers use a set dimension max for each.   This will be worked out and likely with a backpack sort of carry.

Well - you could just tell them to get lost as there is no other possible way to transport the items ("your camera is only insured as carry-on"), you need it for your trip (freelance photographer/stock landscape photography) and the bag fits the requirements specified on the site (my "just" comment was that you would have to push the front clip into the padding of the bag by about 1cm for it to fit into the piped volume check thing - and that was only because i packed things in there tight and it was bulging slightly.) 

You should be fine with it, and any of the other smaller ones are just that - smaller and will definitely go through.  I didnt even get a second glance when i pulled a laptop out of the back to go through the x-ray machine, they are used to the bags going through it seems. I actually rang up BA and LAN and cleared it before going so i had that as a backup...

I may be mistaken but can't you take two carry on bags on a flight as long as they fit the requirements.
  I fly every year to British columbia and have never had any problem with a back pack bag I carry on.  In it is my medicine and camera along with a light jacket.
 this year if I take my new dslr with lens I will need to carry two small carry on's if possible.  I need to check into it I suppose. :)

I've done it in the past (but that was before all these restrictions were really enforced) - but on international flights (am i right in assuming that BC is a domestic flight for you?) i think that is reserved for business and first class users. It is to accomodate the high flying businessmen who need to walk on and off the plane with their trolley bag carry-on and briefcase. And thus domestic flights tend to relax the restrictions to allow for that (birmingham to edinburgh is a flight i took a few times and was filled with such businessmen if you caught it at the right time)

What I have checked so far may vary from carrier to carrier and definitely the basic regs in the USA are not the same as in GB.  Coach passengers may be limited to one bag and on weight limit of the carry-on..more costly ticket equals more weight allowance, carry on and checked luggage but not necessarily another carry on. 

We likely fly the same carrier both ways and avoid meeting different regulations.

I fly from Va in the US to Spokane Washington and then rent a car for the drive on up into Canada.
  From checking on internet most carriers have different specs so would be best to call and be sure if wanted to take two carry on bags.    I usualy fly Soutwest or United.  All depends on pricing 3-4 months in advance. :)

I have a older camera bag..that just hold the camera..It was for my film slr..I put my camera in that..then put that inside of my backpack..

I don't put it in the overhead..I prefer under my seat so I can get it out if I wish...ya never know what cloudscapes you might see..

or the chance of a passing UFO

:lol:

And...don't forget the passport to go into that  foreign country..Canada.  : )   It used to be very easy but not so today.

I like Rich's carry-on approach:  calling the carrier beforehand to get affirmation. Good idea.

Good point Tom about passport.
 Lst summer as I crossed above spokane washington at Candian Customs I was detained for over 3 hrs of interogation.
   They confiscated what tobacco I had for my friends I was going to spend a week with in Canada and tryed to make me tell them if I had had any offenses in the US.   40 yrs ago I did have a few violations but how many I didnt know.    I kelp telling customs I didnt know and would not answer till I knew when I got back home.  They said if I had 2 I could not go into canada.  I said for the record I had one untill I got back home to find out.

Once back I applied for a DMV record and it came back clean.  Can Only go back 11 years in Va and that is for anyone including Canada customs.    I also sent off for a criminal record check to be on safe side and it came back clean as a whistle.
 Canad put me in their computer system to be on watch if I came back again.
I will personaly take my copys of records with me next summer and give to them and tell them to take me out their system as I am not a criminal as they wanted me to be. :)

Be prepared if you go into another country and especialy Canada. :)  Wasn't this way before the passport deal. :)

Hmmmmmm can't you put your camera round your neck !
That'll save some baggage space.

@Iloco and TomDart;

The Canadian passport restrictions were implemented as a result of PRESSURE from YOUR US government because of 911.....and, as a result of this, you will soon need a passport to board any flight anywhere nowadays....not just when entering a foreign country.

As an aside, in the past, all that Canadians needed to show when crossing into the US was a drivers licence or birth certificate.  As of 2008, the US requires that you need a valid passport......tit for tat....

In reality....it's no big deal....and it probably does improve safety.

Regarding past offences....it's very similar to what the US checks for upon entry....and some prior offences (such as drug) will disallow entry into the US.

As for the Canadian customs guys....yeah I'll agree, they make the KGB look nice....seems like they are just power trippers that enjoy sniffing through people's undies....

During the early 80's I used to gig in Ontario a lot...Going into Canada wasn't the issue..it was getting back into the states..

Good thing I never got caught.... :scared:

I spent some time up there again in the early 90's..It was a little more interesting traveling with two British nationals..Again, it was more of a pain coming back into the US

Never had much of a problem getting into the states... although they are a whole lot more thorough (or at least they take a lot longer) than other passport controls i have been through.  I am on their fingerprint records now having travelled through.  Although one thing i was extremely surprised about was that connecting flights travelling through the US have you enter the country and then exit the country to get your next flight...  really strange!

I was going through NYC to Peru and my plane got delayed/i missed my connecting flight (long story but basically had a two day stop-over), so i check in to a hotel to stay and it dawned on me that i didnt have anything stopping me from just not getting on my flight and staying in the country as an illegal immigrant.  Something is flawed there.  If they just have connecting flight passengers not have to go through border control i think some cases of illegal immigration would be cut and also i doubt i would have missed my flight...