2012Cases/Carts/Stands and Transport forum
Options for transporting cinema carts on commercial airline flights within luggage restrictions
14 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Airline cargo services for recognized shippers offer significantly lower per-pound rates and no size or weight restrictions compared to checked baggage, though the registration process takes weeks.
- Stock Magliner carts without additional accessories typically weigh around 99 pounds and may approach or exceed airline dimension limits.
- A stock Yaeger Junior cart is reported to weigh approximately 90 pounds, close to the 100-pound weight limit for checked baggage.
- Using an inexpensive utility cart from hardware stores for airport and venue transport, while keeping the professional cart for actual work, reduces damage to quality equipment.
- Strapping a stand under a cart between the wheels allows transport without requiring a separate case.
- Minor violations of airline dimension limits (a couple of inches over) are often not enforced in practice on commercial flights.
- News and reality television crews reportedly fly with Magliner carts as checked baggage.
Depends on
- Discussion dates to 2012; current airline policies and cart specifications may differ.
- Southwest Airlines specific weight and dimension requirements mentioned may have changed.
- Report of minor dimension overages not being enforced is anecdotal and not guaranteed.
- Custom-built carts will have different weight and dimensions than commercial models.
- Yaeger Junior cart reported as half an inch over dimension limit on manufacturer's website.