Change in airline policy

[Mark Karavite]

FYI, Northwest Airlines has changed their policy on checking film equipment on commercial flights. They have changed the maximum weight from 100lbs. to 70lbs. The airline will still only charge $50 per extra bag, instead of the normal $85 per bag. Any cases over 70lbs. must be shipped as air freight.

 

I'm not sure if other airlines are following suit. If anyone knows of other airlines policies, please chime in. The 70lb. limit is a drag, because I have 2 cases around 85lbs. to limit the number of cases. Also, you must have a letter on the production companie's letterhead detailing the production, and dates, in order to obtain the movie/media rate. I know it's production's responsibility for these expenses. I normally use a freight carrier, but when jobs book up back to back, checking the gear as baggage can sometimes be the simplest route. This new weight limit will prevent us from shipping any carts as airline baggage anymore.

 

Mark Karavite

A Camera / Steadicam Operator

mkaravite@comcast.net

[Brian Dzyak]

I just carried gear (and luggage) on British Air and they have a very strict 51lb limit. You either repack or it doesn't go on the plane. There's no paying an overweight fee at all.

 

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagchk/public/en_gb#europe ://http://www.britishairways.com/trave...c/en_gb#europe ://http://www.britishairways.com/trave...c/en_gb#europe ://http://www.britishairways.com/trave...c/en_gb#europe

Due to airport security restrictions currently in place in the UK, passengers travelling from, or transferring in the UK, may only take ONE piece of Hand Baggage, maximum dimensions 56cm x 45cm x 25cm.

 

FIRST and Club World - 3 bags

World Traveller Plus and World Traveller - 2 bags

Maximum dimensions per bag (H+W+L): 158cm (62in)

Maximum weight per bag: 23kg* (51lbs)

 

* Please note: we will continue to accept a piece of baggage weighing up to 32kg (70lbs) for travel completed by 30 September 2007.

[Rob Vuona SOC]

FYI, Northwest Airlines has changed their policy on checking film equipment on commercial flights. They have changed the maximum weight from 100lbs. to 70lbs. The airline will still only charge $50 per extra bag, instead of the normal $85 per bag. Any cases over 70lbs. must be shipped as air freight.

 

I'm not sure if other airlines are following suit. If anyone knows of other airlines policies, please chime in. The 70lb. limit is a drag, because I have 2 cases around 85lbs. to limit the number of cases. Also, you must have a letter on the production companie's letterhead detailing the production, and dates, in order to obtain the movie/media rate. I know it's production's responsibility for these expenses. I normally use a freight carrier, but when jobs book up back to back, checking the gear as baggage can sometimes be the simplest route. This new weight limit will prevent us from shipping any carts as airline baggage anymore.

 

Mark Karavite

A Camera / Steadicam Operator

mkaravite@comcast.net

-------------------

That sucks . . . .,

But just for the record or off the record, my lovely computer has created some of the best employer letterheads stating the details of my employment with them, which always gets me out of the $50 charge and knocks it down to $25. As for the international flights, yikes, thats messed up I guess I'll have to address that situation with the production company. . . .

 

Thank for the info

 

peace out

Rob

[Matt Buckner]

FYI, Northwest Airlines has changed their policy on checking film equipment on commercial flights. They have changed the maximum weight from 100lbs. to 70lbs. The airline will still only charge $50 per extra bag, instead of the normal $85 per bag. Any cases over 70lbs. must be shipped as air freight.

 

I'm not sure if other airlines are following suit. If anyone knows of other airlines policies, please chime in. The 70lb. limit is a drag, because I have 2 cases around 85lbs. to limit the number of cases. Also, you must have a letter on the production companie's letterhead detailing the production, and dates, in order to obtain the movie/media rate. I know it's production's responsibility for these expenses. I normally use a freight carrier, but when jobs book up back to back, checking the gear as baggage can sometimes be the simplest route. This new weight limit will prevent us from shipping any carts as airline baggage anymore.

 

Mark Karavite

A Camera / Steadicam Operator

mkaravite@comcast.net

 

 

Not sure about what Delta is doing now with fuel price increases but they had a graduated rate for overages. Over 50 lbs. $25 per bag, over 70 lbs. a bit more and then 100 lbs or more they would not accept. Most airlines list their weight restrictions on their websites.

[Louis Puli SOC]

Hi everyone

Here in Australia when I travel interstate I only travel Qantas because 1. They have a standard 30Kg free 2. Every case charge(after the 1st 30kg) is a flat excess baggage rate of $11.00 each case .Every cases must be under 30kgs. I travel around with about 160 kgs of gear (10 cases) which ends up to be about $200.00 which is great as at least I know it will arrive at the same time as I do. All the low price airlines charge 3 times the amount .

The price to send my gear by air freight (next day Del)is around $450.00 figure that out ?

All the best

Louis from down under. B)

ps just shot the final of NBC "The age of Love "Reality TV show .3 days nonstop shooting 13 hour days Great Director in Brian Smith .

[Charles Papert]

Flew the gear on Southwest to Albuquerque a few times this winter necessitated by quick turnaround between jobs, and they accepted media rate with a business card and a 75 lb max, if I remember correctly.

[Richard W. Davis]

Sitting in the Las Vegas airport this moment (apologies to Robert Starling)having checked in with 8 cases / bags (traveling light). Southwest accepted media rates with no more than my business card and $30 bucks per bag overage charge with 3 bags free. My cost $150(to be reimbursed of course.) They did not weigh my bags which 6 of are just under 50lbs but 2 of are over 50 but under 70.

 

Southwest although being a little like a bus, is very friendly to media, especially flying out of Burbank and Vegas. Remember be good to your skycaps. :rolleyes:

 

Happy flying to all.

 

Rich Davis

LA

[Mark Karavite]

So I digress to my original problem of not being able to ship a cart anymore. Does anyone know of a foldable cart, preferrably with shelves, magliner that takes my current Steadicam mast, and under 70 lbs. ?

 

I'll kiss whoever comes up with the answer :P

 

Mark

[Dan Coplan]

Do you specifically need your cart? I've had great success with AC's who have magically provided carts and rental can be an option. On the last show I did I traveled with a very light and compact plastic Rubbermaid cart (Home Depot) simply to wheel my cases around. Once on set, production had a work cart for me.

 

Dan