How to mark your cases?

[Andrew Stone]

Robert,

 

Really impressed with the efficiency of your case setup. Obviously a lot of thought went into this.

 

I checked out the A&S Case Company website to see if I could spot your setup or something similar. Is your set a custom build, if not are these cases located on their website somewhere?

 

-Andrew

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Robert,

 

Really impressed with the efficiency of your case setup. Obviously a lot of thought went into this.

 

I checked out the A&S Case Company website to see if I could spot your setup or something similar. Is your set a custom build, if not are these cases located on their website somewhere?

 

-Andrew

 

 

The ultimate in casebdesign and efficiency goes to the Landau case/cart

Here

[Kevin Andrews SOC]

Hi Kevin,

 

I travel with 8-12 Pelican/Storm cases 3-4 days a week. All are stenciled using a plastic stencil I had made at FastSigns and painted with Krylon for Plastic. It works pretty well, occasionally gets a scratch through the logo but they're pretty big so its still readable. Easy enough to re-stencil after a couple of years.

 

As for flying, I'm a regular:

 

-American will accept up to 100lbs, ask for the "photo/sound equipment" exception for $50 each (cover overweight and excess). They may ask for a media credential (supposed to) so ink jet one and laminate ahead of time.

 

-Continental will not allow anything over 70lbs. They now require you to have a Continental Media Card which you get through they're media relations dept. Get ready to shell out the big bucks for them.

 

-Delta actually charges the media more than the general public now, so DON'T say you're media with them.

 

-Southwest has a pretty good deal. From www.swamedia.com:

Media cameras are exempt from the sizing box restriction imposed on other carry-on luggage, and, if carried on-board, must be stowed in accordance with FAA safety regulations. If the camera is to be secured in a seat, however, a ticket must be purchased for that seat. Camera, film, video, lighting, and sound equipment will be accepted when presented by a representative of a network or local television broadcasting company or a commercial film-making company. A fee of $50 will be charged for each item in excess of the free baggage allowance. Media equipment will not be assessed oversize or overweight charges.

 

Most ticket agents don't understand their own rules when it comes to this, so just stand your ground and let them make phone calls until they realize you're right. Happens nearly all the time. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

 

Jason

TexasSteadicam@me.com

 

 

Great advice Jason. Luckily in my case, I really am media as well as Steadicam. I think I'll be printing out their policy so I don't get screwed at check in.

[Stephen Vanderspek]

Another thought is that with a First Class ticket you extra baggage and weight benefits, not to mention a better seat. Sometimes it's almost the same to fly first as it is to fly coach and pay excess.

 

As an extension of this thought, which is definitely accurate it's also worth noting some airlines have moved to a single highest fee system, I've flown my Magliner which is 100lbs for 100 dollars. With this system its some times the same cost to fly with gear as it is to FedEx Ground it, and that's not even looking at media rates.

 

I know Air Canada and Alaska moved to this system and that United hasn't, also worth noting, you fall under the baggage policy of the first leg of your trip, so if I flew from Vancouver to Toronto to Chicago, the first leg Vancouver - Toronto is Air Canada so you fall under their baggage policy on the way there, but Chicago - Toronto leg is United so on the way back you get beat up by their fees.