Organizing and transporting Steadicam equipment in cases and carts

2004Cases/Carts/Stands and Transport forum

Organizing and transporting Steadicam equipment in cases and carts

22 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

Note (as of October 2026)Curt O. Schaller, the developer of Artemis and Trinity, has no longer been with ARRI since the end of 2025. To our knowledge, ARRI currently has no dedicated team and no official contact persons for its stabilizer systems. In our view, the future of this line is uncertain. If you are buying new, get written confirmation from ARRI beforehand on how long service and spare parts are guaranteed. Have used rigs checked by the manufacturer before you buy.

What the thread found

Steadicam operators typically transport their equipment in multiple hard cases, with configurations ranging from three to nine cases depending on setup complexity and travel method
Equipment commonly organized into separate cases includes the sled, arm, vest, batteries with charger, monitors, cables, and accessories
Pelican cases are widely used for transport, with models like 1650, 1550, 1610, and 1600 being popular choices for different components
Combining the vest and arm into a single padded case can help reduce the total number of cases needed
Battery cases can trigger additional security screening at airports due to their appearance with cylindrical packs, wiring, and circuit boards
Carrying informational brochures or printed specifications of equipment to the airport can help security personnel quickly identify what the gear is
Airlines have weight limits that affect case transport, with 50-60 pound limits per case being typical, requiring operators to distribute equipment carefully across multiple cases
Hand-carrying batteries on aircraft is possible but requires declaring them and allowing extra time for security inspection

Depends on

Airlines have varying policies on checked baggage weight and quantity, with practices differing between airports
Post-September 11th security protocols changed how operators can transport equipment through airports
No consensus reached on optimal case configuration, as different operators nest their gear differently based on personal preference and specific job requirements
Some operators use fishing rod cases or custom cases for specialized equipment like follow focus systems or gyros
Discussion occurred in 2004, so current airline regulations and equipment availability may differ