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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: dmaster on January 15, 2005, 11:30:11 PM

Title: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: dmaster on January 15, 2005, 11:30:11 PM
anyone got any advice for taking a mic stand on a flight?    I don't have a bag or anything I can put it in (yet) to put it in with the checked baggage, and I'm wondering are they gonna be cool with it in the carry-on part?

I haven't flown in a long time, so I don't know how things work.   I'm just not wanting to get to the airport and them tell me I can't take my mic stand, cause I totally don't want to have to stealth a couple of taper-friendly shows.  :( 

anyone?
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: Govt Mule on January 15, 2005, 11:31:55 PM
I put mine in a box and check it.
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: Brian on January 15, 2005, 11:34:27 PM
when i flew to SanFran over Halloween Lambert Airport checked it for me as is and it was handed to me at the baggage claim with the rest of my luggage by an employee of SF Int'l.  When I got back to St. Louis it was on the "oversized" baggage claim conveyor.

i've read that some airports won't take it unpacked.  I could have been lucky.  I'm sure any simple, zippable bag would do.  
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: olyrc on January 16, 2005, 12:01:08 PM
I've carried my stand (Bogen 3333) on on Delta flights a few times.  I just talk to the flight attendants and ask if they need to stow it somewhere and they have been cool with me just putting it in the overhead myself everytime.  That said, I would be prepared with a backup plan for checking it.
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: Tall Adam on January 16, 2005, 12:53:24 PM
i carry mine in a drawstring bag from a folding quad chair. holds my stand perfectly (length wise) and would probably be acceptable as protection for a flight
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: Steve J on January 16, 2005, 06:03:34 PM
I use a padded Bogen bag and check it. I've also put my stand in with my golf bag when I've brought my clubs along.
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: keepongoin on January 16, 2005, 06:08:57 PM
i built myself a carrier for underplane / checked baggage comaprtment.

I used 4" ABS pipe and some end caps, one with a screw-cap on it.

It works great, I just wish that someone hadn't stepped on my stand at the show and bent the fuck out of it.
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: Kevin on January 16, 2005, 07:22:18 PM
Whenever I fly I just carry my stand with me on the flight and put it in the overhead (so far it has been fine).  You could ask the them to store ii in a closet on the plane.
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: greenone on January 16, 2005, 07:59:47 PM
Mine's too long to carry on, as it's a beast. I stick it in a lacrosse stick bag and check it.
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: spyder9 on January 17, 2005, 03:02:31 AM
i built myself a carrier for underplane / checked baggage comaprtment.

I used 4" ABS pipe and some end caps, one with a screw-cap on it.

It works great, I just wish that someone hadn't stepped on my stand at the show and bent the fuck out of it.

Keepongoin',

Can you post some pictures of the pipe?  Thanks.
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: Flip on January 17, 2005, 09:45:01 AM
I work for an airline and would suggest that you check your stand. 

Things after 911 changed a lot for carry on rules.  The government is getting real picky as to what they will and will not let on a plane.  I no longer even try to carry on my stand.  There is a good chance it will catch security eye, which means they will take a good close look at you.  You may like that kind of attention.  I  like to avoid it.  Besides the fact that most stands don’t meet the standard carry on size.

I would strongly suggest not checking your stand in a soft / cloth bag.  There is a good chance that the folks loading and unloading bags are not going to be very kind to it.  Use some form of hard case.  I use a 4” ABS pipe with caps. 

Flip
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: spyder9 on January 17, 2005, 11:31:27 AM
Where did you guys get the pipe?  Home Depot?  Pictures?
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: cgrooves on January 17, 2005, 11:57:44 AM
Spyder,

Get 4" PVC pipe (length you need) at Home Depot, etc.
Get a 4" PVC cap for one end of the pipe.
Get a 4" Female Threaded Coupling for the other end of the pipe
Get a 4" Threaded 'insert' (threaded clean-out cap) to screw into the coupling.
Get 1 small can of PVC glue.

Glue the cap and female threaded coupling on the ends of the pipe. The threaded insert is removed by hand when you want to put your stand in (or take your stand out) of the tube. Also, if you plan on attaching a strap, it would be easier to attach the strap before you glue the cap and coupling on the ends (If you are using short bolts to hold the strap on, you need to be able to reach inside from each end and install the lock-nuts onto the short bolts)
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: spyder9 on January 17, 2005, 12:32:10 PM
Thanks cgrooves! T+.
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: jkoch on January 18, 2005, 12:00:29 AM
i'd say not to check a god damned thing. i had it inside my larger suitcase/bag that was zipped shut perfectly so that it would not be damaged. after i had left my baggage security opened it, and left the fucking stand hanging about 3" out of the bag. needless to say it was fucked up and bent in when i got it on the other end and the airline claimed they weren't responsible b/c 1) i could of carried it on (although i was told otherwise) and 2) security did it, not their people.
Title: Re: taking a mic stand on a flight?
Post by: dmaster on January 19, 2005, 02:42:13 AM
awesome, thanks guys.    I think i'll try the PVC thing cause that sounds like a good way to keep it in a trunk without it getting banged up too and I like that idea.