2006Cases/Carts/Stands and Transport forum
Transportation options for film equipment when flying out of Los Angeles airports
20 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Burbank Airport offers more reliable curbside skycap service than LAX, with faster check-in times and more willingness to assist with multiple cases.
- A dedicated skycap at Burbank can handle ticketing, seat assignment, and baggage check for equipment cases and carts, typically completing the process in under 15 minutes.
- LAX has minimal or no skycap availability, no carts for passenger use, and restrictions on leaving equipment unattended at the curb, which can create logistical problems.
- Some airlines such as Alaska have eliminated skycap services entirely and charge premium rates for overweight bags, creating additional costs for productions.
- Professional courier services that pick up equipment from a home location and ship it separately to the production destination eliminate personal liability and security risks.
- Equipment shipped via courier can be locked during transport, reducing risk of theft or damage compared to checking cases as baggage.
- Short-hop flights between consecutive shooting locations may make air transport of equipment necessary when shipping separately is impractical.
Depends on
- The information is specific to Los Angeles area airports circa 2006.
- The skycap service quality described depends on the continued availability of the specific individual service provider mentioned.
- Courier shipping may not be cost-effective for short trips or when equipment must travel with the crew.
- Airline policies regarding skycaps, baggage weight limits, and assistance vary by carrier and change over time.
- The comparison between shipping and air transport depends on production budget availability and specific project timelines.