2013Steadi-Newbies forum
Air travel options for transporting steadicam equipment between locations
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Airlines offer a media rate for film and media equipment that typically costs around fifty dollars per case regardless of weight, with most airlines allowing up to fifty cases per flight
- The original case for a Flyer LE can be packed to approximately ninety pounds and still qualifies for the single media rate charge
- Pelican 1650 cases are widely used by steadicam operators for transporting equipment on flights
- Having media credentials or a believable story helps avoid disputes with airlines over media rates, though some airlines may challenge homemade credentials
- A comprehensive insurance policy on gear may already cover transportation costs, eliminating the need to pay additional shipping insurance
- Some airlines have discontinued media rates entirely, making luggage fees significantly more expensive than the standard media rate
- First class upgrades can provide higher baggage allowances and may save money compared to paying media rates for multiple cases
Depends on
- The media rate policy may vary by airline and could have changed since the discussion in 2013
- Media credentials need to be credible to avoid hassles or disputes with airlines
- Some production companies may not approve cost-saving measures even when they would reduce overall expenses