How can you fly with camera gear that exceeds carry-on weight limits?

I've asked a more or less similar question on Travel StackExchange a month ago, but didn't get a helpful answer. The answer is not as obvious as one would think as there is almost no info on actual airline policies, so I'd like to answer the question myself as I've got more knowledgeable since.

The problem with flying with lots of gear is that while you can pay for excess baggage on a per bag basis, there is no such option for a carry-on and you are allowed only one no matter what. Thankfully, there are ways to deal with this limitation.

• First, you are usually allowed either a women's bag/purse or a laptop bag that airlines don't weigh as long as it conforms to allowed dimensions. A small college-type backpack/daypack will often pass for such bag if it's not stuffed to the brim and looks obviously bulky. Many airlines won't care even if it is and some don't even weigh your carry-on, but you never know and I wouldn't count on it.

• Second, there is, apparently, no limit for the weight you carry on yourself, so to minimize the weight of your bag, you should take out and put on yourself everything you can. Cameras with the heaviest of your lenses attached to them are probably the best starting point. If you have a jacket or a vest, don't put it in the bag, wear it instead and stuff all it's pockets with your gear. If you have lens pouches with a carabiner, you can also attach a couple of them to your belt or belt loop of your pants, but don't overdo it or you could start looking suspicious to the security guards. If you have a laptop or women's bag, you should also put the gear you can't put directly on yourself inside it.

• If you are traveling together with someone, chances are, their bag is lighter than the airline limit. Put some of your gear into their carry-on for the time being.

• Also, put everything you can into your checked luggage. For example, a tripod/monopod usually weights a lot more compared to other gear and it's not as likely to be stolen if a thief opens your suitcase as it's harder to sneak out with due to it's size.

After you pass the check-in/baggage drop-off desk, you should find a place somewhere aside and put all the gear back inside your carry-on bag before proceeding further to the security checkpoint or passport control.

Plan beforehand and decide what gear you will be taking out while you are still at home packing your bags.

All of the above concerns flying regular airlines. The policies of low-cost airlines are usually vastly different and they will likely charge you for many things a regular airline won't.

Big thanks to Matt Granger, who shared most of this ideas in his YouTube video!