Flying with Equipment at DVinfo.net

Jeremiah Rickert · August 13th, 2012, 10:03 PM

Can anyone let me know what the traveling climate is right now in the US in regards to camera equipment? I have an XHA1 and a smaller Vixia camera that I'd want to bring, and maybe a LAV and a shotgun mic. Then of course, there's the tripods. Even if I use a small camera bag that I can carry on, I'm not sure how to deal with my big Libec sticks. If we only get one piece of luggage to that we can check, do they charge you a bunch to check your tripod? And the bag doesn't lock...does it mater?

One thing for sure is that I definitely don't want to check my camera. Wonder if should mail my tripod to the location, hehe.

Any advice would be appreciated :)

Jeremiah

Brent Kaplan · August 13th, 2012, 10:07 PM

I traveled this year with many pelican cases , audio gear, tripods,dolly and track. I carried my 5dmk2 and ex3 on board as carry on and never had any issue.

I had a tube for my tripod and light stands. and you dont have to lock anything in fact if you due you have to use tsa approved locks. , my tripod tube had no locks , didnt loose anything but a pair of headphones that disappeared thru tsa screening.

Allan Black · August 13th, 2012, 10:51 PM

Check with your carrier then Fedex the lot to be safe and sure.

Cheers.

Jeremiah Rickert · October 2nd, 2012, 04:11 AM

I only have the standard soft bag for my Libec tripod. Should I definitely NOT check it then?

I might be able to borrow a tube from someone. I guess another option is to just rent a tripod for the event.

Allan Black · October 2nd, 2012, 04:54 AM

Jeremiah, that's correct, never ever check a tripod into an aircraft hold if it doesn't have solid protection.

If you have time you could make a tube like this one ..

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ode-blimp.html

I'd make yours out of slightly more solid pipe and put some light steel rings around the outside for added protection,
but I've been throwing my Blimp case into trucks and aircraft holds for the last 3 years without any trouble whatsoever.

Or you could measure your Libec, then buy a suitable golf bag travel case, there's plenty available.
Note on the outside it's a camera tripod not a golf bag and include its weight. At most terminals and hubs now,
you can get them security wrapped for a modest cost. HTH

Cheers.

Charles Papert · October 2nd, 2012, 08:33 AM

A number of the major airlines (Delta, American, Southwest) still have "media rate" allowances which let you travel with gear under special provisos, which are generally a cap of $50 per piece for excess baggage (which these days can be quite a bit more than that normally), plus the weight limit goes up from 50 to 100 lbs. You will need to show an ID badge that identifies you as a member of the media.

Joe Lumbroso · October 2nd, 2012, 01:28 PM

Most airlines allow you to check in an oversized (maxed at ~50lbs) golf club case free of charge. We have brought our very large hardshell golf club case (purchased for $159 at a sporting good store) filled with two tripods, poompole, a small jib and duvetyne/blankets (as padding) on half a dozen international and a dozen domestic trips. I check in a Pelican case with lights, camera rig and audio gear and carry bodies/lenses/etc.. in a backpack on board.

Stelios Christofides · October 6th, 2012, 06:48 AM

do the x-rays damage flush cards?

stelios

Jeremiah Rickert · October 9th, 2012, 01:04 AM

I managed to fit my XHA1 and my smaller canon into a carry-on sized bag. I also borrowed a tripod tube case and so that's good to be checked. One problem I'm running into now is my Sennheiser shotgun mic. Has anyone been hassled by inspectors of a long microphone? It's the ME67 so even if I take it apart it's still pretty long. I was thinking of putting it in the bottom of the tripod case, but I don't want it going missing, hehe.

Lee Mullen · October 9th, 2012, 09:45 PM

Is it more relaxed in Europe airports or about the same? Would I be ok to say pack a monopod in my suitcase and carry a small camcorder and Canon 650D on board?

Jeremiah Rickert · October 9th, 2012, 09:50 PM

Just an update. Except for a slight freakout when my tripod didn't appear in the baggage carousel (it was in the odd package area, hehe) everything was smooth.

Security made me remove the cameras from the bag, but didn't even blink at the shotgun mic.

Trond Saetre · October 10th, 2012, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stelios Christofides

do the x-rays damage flush cards?

stelios

No, the x-ray screening does not affect the memory cards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jalan Salur

Is it more relaxed in Europe airports or about the same? Would I be ok to say pack a monopod in my suitcase and carry a small camcorder and Canon 650D on board?

Security in European airports is tight, but I believe it is "worst" in the USA.
Never check in any camera. This should be carry-on only. (This is also specified in many airlines' recommendations).

Daniel Larson · October 15th, 2012, 07:51 AM

Get a golf club/bag case. It can hold a tripod, boom pole and a few light stands plus some small lights. No one gives them a second look.
Dan

August 13th, 2012, 10:03 PM	#1
Jeremiah Rickert Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 494	Flying with Equipment Can anyone let me know what the traveling climate is right now in the US in regards to camera equipment? I have an XHA1 and a smaller Vixia camera that I'd want to bring, and maybe a LAV and a shotgun mic. Then of course, there's the tripods. Even if I use a small camera bag that I can carry on, I'm not sure how to deal with my big Libec sticks. If we only get one piece of luggage to that we can check, do they charge you a bunch to check your tripod? And the bag doesn't lock...does it mater? One thing for sure is that I definitely don't want to check my camera. Wonder if should mail my tripod to the location, hehe. Any advice would be appreciated :) Jeremiah

August 13th, 2012, 10:07 PM	#2
Brent Kaplan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 166	Re: Flying with Equipment I traveled this year with many pelican cases , audio gear, tripods,dolly and track. I carried my 5dmk2 and ex3 on board as carry on and never had any issue. I had a tube for my tripod and light stands. and you dont have to lock anything in fact if you due you have to use tsa approved locks. , my tripod tube had no locks , didnt loose anything but a pair of headphones that disappeared thru tsa screening.

August 13th, 2012, 10:51 PM	#3
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Re: Flying with Equipment Check with your carrier then Fedex the lot to be safe and sure. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

October 2nd, 2012, 04:11 AM	#4
Jeremiah Rickert Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 494	Re: Flying with Equipment I only have the standard soft bag for my Libec tripod. Should I definitely NOT check it then? I might be able to borrow a tube from someone. I guess another option is to just rent a tripod for the event.

October 2nd, 2012, 04:54 AM	#5
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Re: Flying with Equipment Jeremiah, that's correct, never ever check a tripod into an aircraft hold if it doesn't have solid protection. If you have time you could make a tube like this one .. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ode-blimp.html I'd make yours out of slightly more solid pipe and put some light steel rings around the outside for added protection, but I've been throwing my Blimp case into trucks and aircraft holds for the last 3 years without any trouble whatsoever. Or you could measure your Libec, then buy a suitable golf bag travel case, there's plenty available. Note on the outside it's a camera tripod not a golf bag and include its weight. At most terminals and hubs now, you can get them security wrapped for a modest cost. HTH Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

October 2nd, 2012, 08:33 AM	#6
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Re: Flying with Equipment A number of the major airlines (Delta, American, Southwest) still have "media rate" allowances which let you travel with gear under special provisos, which are generally a cap of $50 per piece for excess baggage (which these days can be quite a bit more than that normally), plus the weight limit goes up from 50 to 100 lbs. You will need to show an ID badge that identifies you as a member of the media. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 2nd, 2012, 01:28 PM	#7
Joe Lumbroso Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 110	Re: Flying with Equipment Most airlines allow you to check in an oversized (maxed at ~50lbs) golf club case free of charge. We have brought our very large hardshell golf club case (purchased for $159 at a sporting good store) filled with two tripods, poompole, a small jib and duvetyne/blankets (as padding) on half a dozen international and a dozen domestic trips. I check in a Pelican case with lights, camera rig and audio gear and carry bodies/lenses/etc.. in a backpack on board. __________________ Brilliant Champions \| Gallery Hijinks

October 6th, 2012, 06:48 AM	#8
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Re: Flying with Equipment do the x-rays damage flush cards? stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

October 9th, 2012, 01:04 AM	#9
Jeremiah Rickert Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 494	Re: Flying with Equipment I managed to fit my XHA1 and my smaller canon into a carry-on sized bag. I also borrowed a tripod tube case and so that's good to be checked. One problem I'm running into now is my Sennheiser shotgun mic. Has anyone been hassled by inspectors of a long microphone? It's the ME67 so even if I take it apart it's still pretty long. I was thinking of putting it in the bottom of the tripod case, but I don't want it going missing, hehe.

October 9th, 2012, 09:45 PM	#10
Lee Mullen Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Western Australia Posts: 576	Re: Flying with Equipment Is it more relaxed in Europe airports or about the same? Would I be ok to say pack a monopod in my suitcase and carry a small camcorder and Canon 650D on board?

October 9th, 2012, 09:50 PM	#11
Jeremiah Rickert Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 494	Re: Flying with Equipment Just an update. Except for a slight freakout when my tripod didn't appear in the baggage carousel (it was in the odd package area, hehe) everything was smooth. Security made me remove the cameras from the bag, but didn't even blink at the shotgun mic.

October 15th, 2012, 07:51 AM	#13
Daniel Larson Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: De Pere, WI Posts: 47	Re: Flying with Equipment Get a golf club/bag case. It can hold a tripod, boom pole and a few light stands plus some small lights. No one gives them a second look. Dan