[Tom Opferman]

Hi Al,

I try to take on the plane the bare minimum I would need to still be able to shoot if my checked bags were to not show up.

So I put the camera in its soft case, with ac power supply, battery, recording media, lav mike, & ac cable. I carry this case onto the plane. On standard size jets the case will fit fine in the overhead compartment; I will try to pad it with blankets or my coat.

On smaller planes I plead my case with the airline staff to let me take it on the plane; it will barely fit under the seat sometimes. It used to be the staff was helpful and understanding–they would find a way to put the case in the cabin with me. These days I’m not getting much love from airlines so, if I have to, I’ll take the camera out of the soft case, then watch them put the soft case in the luggage compartment, and carry the camera on and put it between my legs under the seat.

For lights, remember to take the lamps out of the units and pack them with plenty of padding. The jostling can cause lamps to come out of the units and break.

I put my sticks in a hard case, and sometimes I put extra cables into the same case.

Usually I end up with four checked bags: 1) tripod case, 2) light kit, 3) gear case (batts, charger, mikes, cables, grip stuff, etc), and 4) my clothes case.

Be prepared to pay excess baggage/weight fees. It used to be if you tipped the right person and/or told them you were with the media, then you could talk your way out of significant extra fees. That rarely happens anymore. It used to be that cases over 70 lbs were considered overweight; these days it seems like all the airlines consider 50 lbs to be overweight. Some airlines charge for each checked bag and then an additional fee for every bag more than two. Southwest, my current favorite, doesn’t charge for the first two bags.

Also, I’ve been told by some airlines that they won’t take any bags that are over a certain maximum weight, regardless of how much your willing to pay. So it’s a good idea to check with the airline in advance to find out what their specific policies are.

Traveling with gear is a lot more hassle than it used to be but you can still get it done with reasonable assurance that your gear will arrive with you and in one piece.

Good luck.

Tom O

[Tom Opferman]

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for the info. You are right on. Five minutes after I posted I finally found the TC OUT menu on the camera and changed it to TCG/TCR. Works great now.

Thanks again,
Tom O