Topic: Flying with a rig

[charles]

I've been planning my trip to Denver for New Years eve.....plan on taping two nights there......and it occurred to me that I might not have an easy time getting my stuff out there via a plane. My fear is my bags being held up b/c of "suspicious" looking taping equipment. With thing the way they are right now I'm worried about getting to Denver and my stuff not being there. Was wondering if anyone else has had trouble flying with a rig. Is it better to check it or carry it on? Any suggestions?

[hzgone]

Carry it on.  So far i have had no problems getting through.  Some places made me take out all my gear and send it through.  Other let me send my whole bag through and then they went throuh it.  Just depends on the airport.  I think you should have no problem getting through.  Most people will check their stand and carry everything else on.  When I went through i checked my cables in my bag and my stand.  Everything went smooth.  Good Luck

[krebsy]

I just flew last weekend.  I took my stand apart to just barely fit it in my suitcase.  Everything else I took with me on the plane.  They opened my bag, and searched/swabbed pretty much everything each time I went through security.  Other than that, not a single problem.

[drufus]

i checked in my stand, and carried the rest along with me when i did coventry, got odd looks occasionally and had to say "professional recording equipment" often. got tagged for random search on my way back home and got everything short of strip and turn around. but security folks were pleasnt.

[keepongoin]

i really have had no problem with flying with everything.  I usually try to ship the stand prior to leaving.  In fact, I will proabably ship my whole rig to Denver for NYE, just so I don't have to carry it to CA first.

[jhirte]

I flew from Portland to Sacramento in early March, carried on the stand and gear bag. No questions leaving, but on the flight back they had to take a look at the SLA's since they couldn't view thru them on the xray or something.
No probs with gear, but they looked at my cigar punch a little funny (had one on my keychain) was kinda funny, guy looking at it all funny with the "wtf is this?" expression on his face.

-Jim

[blastroknow]

but one of the from Polyphonic Spree folks got hassled flying with his mic, though 

http://www.prosoundnews.com/articles/article_888.shtml

[charles]

Gee...that's real assuring!!!

[leegeddy]

i've flown several times with my gear. i did check in my stand though.  no major problems with security. just the typical look-throughs.

marc

[John R]

first the batteries get them aroused, because all they can see is a big black square that they can't see into or behind, so your bags will definitely be hand checked/wanded.  then the gear confuses them, just be upfront and reassuring with them, talking them through it.  print up the ecocharge transportation policy even if you don't have eco's, just in case.

[charles]

Thank's for the good info guys. I'll look into that transportation policy.

[John R]

Thank's for the good info guys. I'll look into that transportation policy.

fwiw, that was a hyperlink

[JAH]

This has been discussed several times    Maybe we search the archives or put up a special info bulletin for future uses....Basically have your batt transportation sheets with you, leave all unconnected, be nice and talk them through it...don't check it.carry on only..this way you can talk to it..be paitient and go early....good luck checking the stand..maybe you can go for a clamp.
gfl and have fun
jah

[Tim]

don't call it a battery!!!!

call it a "power supply"

if you act and sound professional you will be hassled much less...