Traveling with cinema gear is one of those things that looks straightforward until the first time you’re standing at a check-in counter with $40,000 worth of equipment and a TSA agent who wants to know what’s in the Pelican cases.
I’ve flown with full production kits to Seattle, New York, and across Colorado more times than I can count. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Know What You Can and Can’t Check
Lithium batteries — including the ones in your camera bodies — cannot go in checked baggage. They must travel in carry-on. This applies to V-mount batteries, LP-E6 batteries, drone batteries, and anything else lithium-based. TSA is strict about this, and for good reason.
Everything else — camera bodies in protective cases, lenses, lighting, grip — can generally be checked as long as it’s properly packed.
“Always bring your most important items on the plane with you. Checked bags get lost. Camera bodies don’t grow back.”
Pelican Cases Are Worth Every Cent
My first rule when I buy a new camera: the next purchase is a Pelican case for it. Foam-lined, pressure-equalizing, and built to take the kind of abuse that luggage handlers deliver. I have never had equipment damaged in a Pelican. I have had equipment damaged in soft cases.
The cases are heavy, which means overweight baggage fees. Factor that into your production budget on travel jobs.
Declare Your Equipment
If you’re traveling internationally, declare your equipment with customs before you leave the country. Fill out a Certificate of Registration (CBP Form 4457) and have it stamped before departure. Without it, customs on return may ask you to pay duties on equipment you already own.
Domestic travel doesn’t require this, but it’s worth having a detailed equipment list with serial numbers for insurance purposes regardless.
Carry the Most Critical Items
My camera bodies and primary lenses travel with me in a carry-on, always. Hard drives with footage travel with me. Anything irreplaceable or time-sensitive travels with me. Checked bags get delayed. They get sent to the wrong city. On a one-day production trip, a delayed checked bag is a cancelled shoot.
Budget for Oversize and Overweight Fees
A full Pelican 1650 with a camera kit inside can easily hit 60-70 pounds. Most airlines charge overweight fees above 50 pounds and oversize fees above certain dimensions. On a multi-city production trip, this adds up. Build it into your production budget and bill it to the client as a line item — it’s a legitimate production expense.
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“Planning a production that requires travel? Let’s talk logistics and make sure it goes smoothly.”
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