Transporting film equipment by air and securing insurance coverage

Gear

ZephyrCan I fly my Alexa or RED on a Zephyr?389

Master SeriesIs a used Master Series rig worth buying as a first big rig?191

BFDHow do I power my BFD receiver from my camera or sled?186

VoltCan I retrofit a Volt onto my existing sled or gimbal?168

ArtemisHow do I power my camera and accessories from an Artemis sled?166

MDRWhere can I mount my Preston MDR on my rig?143

ModulusIs there a Modulus option for HD wireless video?141

G-70Will my G-70 fit my vest, gimbal or sled?126

FI+ZCan I control iris and zoom wirelessly, not just focus?60

HU3Where can I get my HU3 repaired, refurbished or repainted?60

CineLiveHow do I pack and case my CineLive rig for transport?54

G-70XHow does the G-70X compare to Pro Titan, Xarm and other arms?46

Trinity 2Is Trinity 2 SUP 3.0 firmware safe to install or buggy?46

Ultra VestWhich vest should I choose for my body size, comfort and operator type?39

2009Cases/Carts/Stands and Transport forum

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

Airlines no longer offer consistent official discounted media rates as of 2008, though some carriers may still provide them through direct negotiation with corporate headquarters.
Southwest Airlines historically allowed two free checked bags for media equipment without oversize or overweight charges when media credentials were presented.
Equipment should always be insured at full replacement value without depreciation, with the individual named as loss payee, and proof of insurance obtained before departure.
When working for a production company, requiring them to provide certificate of insurance naming you as loss payee before traveling protects equipment liability.
Shipping equipment via courier services or UPS ground can be more cost-effective than paying airline excess baggage fees, particularly for multiple heavy cases.
Using heavy-duty TSA locks, neon-colored zip ties, and bright gaff tape on cases discourages TSA tampering and makes cases easier to track.
Contacting airline corporate headquarters ahead of travel with specific case information can sometimes result in negotiated rates or special handling arrangements.
Baggage fees for oversized or overweight cases can exceed the cost of the airfare itself.
Renting equipment at the destination reduces the weight and quantity of cases that must be transported.
Equipment insurance policies typically cost around 1000-1200 dollars annually for coverage of approximately 100,000 dollars in equipment value.

Discussion is from 2009 and airline policies have likely changed since then.
Media rate information varies by airline and is not always accurately listed on airline websites.
Treatment of equipment by individual baggage handlers and TSA agents varies significantly and is inconsistent.
Some quoted pricing and policies are specific to particular airlines and time periods mentioned.
Experience with media rates appears to be hit-or-miss even when criteria are met.
Freight and courier pricing was not thoroughly explored in the thread.