Air Travel with EX1 and gear. Need help and advice!
 

Hello everyone!

On April 6th, I will be travelling to Japan for a three-month trip. I will be taking my brand-new EX1 and gear. However, I'm having some trouble trying to decide how to bring this with me. Let me list the gear I have:

GEAR:
- EX1
- 2 SxS 8GB Cards
- BP-U30 Battery
- BP-U60 Battery
- Audio Technica Shotgun Mic
- Senheisser Lavelier Mics
- Letus Elite w/ Nikon mount
- Three Nikon Lenses (24mm, 50mm, 105mm)
- Red Rock Micro Follow Focus
- Cinevate Proteus Rail System
- Miller Tripod
- Misc. Camera-related Items

CASES:
- Kata CCC-1-A w/ Insertrolley
- Hardigg Storm Case iM2975

When I first bought this gear, I figured, "Oh, I'll just put everything into the Storm Case (which I have faith will protect my gear (no tripod)) and check it in." However, I just feel that even though the Storm Case can do an incredible job in protecting my gear, it won't do squat if security has to crack it open and look for the one thing that looks like a bomb.

I contemplated using the Kata CCC-1-A as a carry-on for all my gear, but I've read they are too big to fit into overhead compartments (even if they can fit into an international plane overhead, I still need to take two smaller "connecting flight" planes).

So I'm left in this conundrum:
Am I being paranoid in thinking that airport security is going to destroy all my gear to find the one thing that sets off the machine? If it is indeed wiser to bring some of my gear with me, what should it be (the most obvious in my opinion are the camera and letus). Do any of you have any tips for bringing all this stuff around?

Thanks so much!

I would put the camera, cards, battery, mic (the core system) in a hand-carry that will fit into an overhead bin.

I would never check these things in because there's too much risk of pilferage. Keep in mind that it goes through at least a dozen hands, totally out of view, from the check-in-counter to baggage claim.

And it could get lost somewhere in-between or even disappear right at baggage claim.

Do as Dean says. You should have not problems carrying the camera on any airplane with any airline. The airlines around the world are used to people bringing cameras onboard. I've traveled to Israel 3 times, as well as Europe, with no problems.

Can I suggest additional cards? You have slightly less than one hour's recording time. I always travel with six 16GB cards, and one 32GB card. I've needed them all on a number of occasions.

And please remember....have you filled out a camera card from ICE (customs) yet? or do you have a carne?

Getting video gear out of the country is no problem, but getting it back in is another thing, as I have traveled a few times out of the country and when a trip comes up, I go out to the local ICE office here in Dallas (DFW Airport) and fill out a camera card and let a inspector look at my camera to record the serial number and to make copies of the paper work. JUST...
make sure that he stamps the main form and you keep the first copy.

If you don't do this...you could get stuck with "import duties or fees"....they want to make sure that the camera was purchased in the USA and the fees have already been paid.

HTH.....

yeah, definately bring the camera on board....some planes (although probably not the kind that fly to japan) dont have enough room for your camera in a bag, so you have to take it out. if thats the case you can ask to pre board so you can use the extra time to get your camera secured in the overhead above your seat. otherwise you probably get stuck putting it in some other bin where you cant see the careless guy with the 70 pound carry on jamming it against your gear...

have fun over there!

I travel a lot and I have never had any problems with customs when I return. Of course, it only takes one overzelous agent to make trouble.

I have scanned my store receipts and keep a copy on my laptop, so if questioned I can show them I bought the item in the US (usually at B&H).

Definitely- carry on. But of course you're going to Japan. Sooo if anything does go wrong you'll have an excuse to spend the insurance in Akihabara.

Well, I went to Canada last year....and that little form saved my day...both in leaving the airport in Vancouver (Canadian customs looked it at and then said OK...) and when I got to the US customs gate...the first thing the agent said: " do you have a camera card form for all this gear..."

I asked him what if I didn't..and his words were : " you would have had a bad day"...
Now, when going out of the country I always get one before before the shoot. Also, I have 3 Pelican cases and they are the best to travel with. I always carry the camera as carry on...as the other guy says....many people down the line will handle it....

I have attached the customs form that I am talking about:

I don't know where the BP-U60/U30 batteries fall in this regard, but as of January '09 you can only carry-on two 100Wh-160Wh (max) Li-ion batteries (and the airline has the right to refuse them for any reason). Under no circumstances are Lithium ions allowed in checked baggage.

Hey Guys!

Thanks for the advice. I guess I just had a little too much faith in humanity to assume that they wouldn't steal my stuff. So, it's unanimous: I should take the camera, batteries, media, and mic with me on the plane. Should I be worried about the lens and Letus Elite?

William,
Thanks for the tip about heading over to the ICE office to fill out the appropriate forms. I guess I should be looking for that in a few days. This is my first time traveling with such expensive equipment, so I'm not sure what other precautions I should take. I'm not sure where to find the ICE office in my area (New Orleans, Louisiana). Is there a form that I can download and print from a website?

Thanks everyone for your input! I guess I should have bought a smaller carrying case just for the bare essentials!

yes at my last post....better yet..on a single page of letterhead of your company..put down in this order across the page...

1. item
2. serial number
3.country (where it was made)
4. declared value

i will attach a copy of mine as a guide.

here is the New Orleans office..I would call them before hand to get info on the forms.

Service Port - New Orleans (Includes Belle Chasse, Concession)

Moved from XDCAM EX to Home, Away From Home (our forum which specializes in issues relating to travel).

read through Sony Creative Software - Forums - Vegas Pro - Video Messages

I check all equipment, excluding the laptop, hard drives and lithium batteries in Portabrace hard cases. Never had issues to date. The only issue you may have if the airlines have a "situation" and "no carry on is allowed". Will your camera be protected in the carry-on case if it has to go in baggage?

I always try to book direct flights if possible.

I used to fill out the customs card every time I traveled, but it was never asked for. I can see why they may want it coming from Canada, but I am always coming back from Europe or Asia. In fact one customs guy asked me why I was filling out the form because he didn't think that I needed it because I was carrying a broadcast camera (DSR-570) at the time.

I haven't been bothered about it for the past 4 years and I travel overseas about 6 times a year. I have found that the Canada/small boarder crossings tend to be more uptight about forms and the like.

Daniel Weber

MacVideo - Camera Technology - Features - Travellin' Light: 4 cameras, tripod, hard drives, MacBook Pro
Check this out! This guy lugs 4 cameras at one go!

Side Note
 

That's interesting. I've been traveling rather frequently for a documentary over the past few months and have been carrying 2 BP-U60's and 1 U30 at all times (carry-on) without any problem. And I've been given the full scrutiny by airports with 2-dimensional scanning systems (and numerous "how to place the camera and bag on the belt as to minimize confusion" talks, too). I'm going to assume the TSA is up-to-par with its standards, so the batteries must be okay to take with.

Those batteries don't even come close to having to much Lithium Ion.

I carry 3 of them all the time with my EX1, it is the big brick batteries that are the problem. Don't carry one over 90w hours and you will be fine.

Daniel Weber

Interesting video. I use a lot of the same tricks!! I love the one about hiding the backpack with it slung over your shoulder. I get away with it because I am 6' 5" and 260 lbs. Easy for me to hide.

Also fly one airline as much as possible. You build up status and it REALLY helps when trying to get extra gear on a plane. It also lets you board early as well!!

The only problem I saw with the video is that in the States they make you take out your camera and put it through the x-ray machine in a separate bin. That would be a lot of gear to keep track of with 4 cameras!! I have had TSA guys keep things and "forget" to put them back in the case.

Daniel Weber

I have also a question.

In about 2 weeks I must travel from Holland to Sardinië with a Sony PMW-EX1 and my 16 inch laptop.

Now I need a good bag for this trip.

I look at many site en at the end I get this as the best:

Lowepro Vertrex 300 AW.
Lowepro - Vertex 300 AW

Some one use this one or know a other good bag.

Thank you

Nice tips but I have to say I differ in this view. The only thing I prefer to carry are personal items and a small 'tourist' camera. The hassle and lugging around of becoming a human luggage transport machine and the random airport security adventures that entails becomes inefficient and trying after a while.

Everything in pelicans and stormcases with padlocks (TSA), documented and insured. Take a snapshot of every case before its closed. If anything is missing or damaged the TSA will hear about it. Properly padded you can drop a pelican a good distance onto concrete with no damage. The military punishes them on a regular basis. I'd have to say in some ways gear is actually safer, checked in the pelicans than stuffing it into consumer luggage and carrying it on. It's a boost to the 'I'm clever' factor but accidents can happen anywhere so carrying it with you doesn't make it accident proof, nor theft proof.

Have a relationship with a rental house. If it gets lost overnight a rental kit and charge the client. Write off the loss or damage at the end of the year unless you want to call in the insurance, which can be the clients too.

I know there can easily be $20,000 worth of gear in a large camera case with one of these small format cameras but I can't really be concerned with how many people open the case. That's the backwards government security system we put up with. Part of doing my job is to enjoy doing it so... the burden for mistakes has to be put on the parties that make it, like airlines and airport security.

ThinkTank Airport Accelleration. Brilliant EX1/MacBook Pro 17" bag. Had one for over a year now, travelled around Europe and beyond with it, faultless, flexible, comfortable (as far as a 16Kg backpack can be considered comfortable), and ingeniously good at getting round restrictive carry-on rules.

ThinkTank bag on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

and

Editing Al Fresco on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

These show a fairly light loading. I now carry 8 cards in boxes, two hard drives (LaCie Ruggeds), LitePanels Micro, 2 radio mics, COS-11 and CS-1, AKG230, HD25 cans, 3 batts and charger, Zoe zoom control, bits, bobs and cables. Even a spare Canon HV20 in case I have to lay off to tape or need a second camera.

Was recommended to me by somebody else here on the EX1 forum - virtual beer to him for pointing it out, sorry can't remember name. (blush)

But do work at a good hand-carry solution. Last week, I was working in Berlin - BA lost my tripod bag on the Monday, I didn't get it back until Friday - when the job was done and I was returning. I always hand-carry enough stuff to do the job, even if it means limping along. I know that checked cameras and edit machines do go missing, and renting locally is a bit hit and miss (as well as being gosh-darn inconvenient).