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Travel with Epic

Eric Rainey

Eric Rainey

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Hey this has probably been asked a million times, but couldn't find the answer here.

I am flying out friday and I am bringing my Epic Pelican Case 1510. Has anybody had any problems bringing it on as a carry on? I have 4 revolts as well, should I tape the ends of them or do anything else?

Also, I have a Miller Arrow 55 head and sticks that is in their soft bag. Is the soft bag enough protection for when I check it into baggage? Should I bubble wrap it...etc?
 
The 1510 shouldn't be a problem at all, nor should the batteries. I just traveled with the Epic and three AB Dionics and didn't have a single issue.

Can't speak to the tripod question, but as long as it's not a carbon-fiber tripod, it should be okay.
 
Thanks for the response on the case. As for the carbon-fiber....yes it is. Have you heard of problems shipping with carbon-fiber? Is it the fact that carbon-fiber is brittle if pushed on from side to side?
 
Eric Rainey said:
Thanks for the response on the case. As for the carbon-fiber....yes it is. Have you heard of problems shipping with carbon-fiber? Is it the fact that carbon-fiber is brittle if pushed on from side to side?
Click to expand...

I haven't personally had or heard of problems with CF sticks and airline travel, but having seen first-hand what the baggage handlers do, I'd probably want a bit more protection than the soft bag would offer.
 
I have had tripods in padded petrol bags come out from the dreaded belly with bent pieces, broken spreaders, broken snaps that fix the legs in position (whatever they are called). For a long time I kept a crappy tripod that i used just for foreign work. Then i started using this http://www.amazon.com/SKB-2SKB-4812WS-Standard-Golf-Travel/dp/B0007VNZDG/ref=pd_sim_sg_1 . Even comes with a lock, and with the extra foot of space leftover after placing my tripod inside, I usually place my v-lock battery charger, and ac adapter....and anything else that is fairly bulletproof.

It sounds as though you are traveling light - but keep in mind AA allows up to 40 pieces at $50 a pop per organization with a business card from a production co / press id. I don't know of any other airline that offers this policy. I have had to fight for it before, but just politely ask the supervisor to check the policy - it has worked everytime.

Bon voyage.
 
Thomas Akira Nakasone said:
It sounds as though you are traveling light - but keep in mind AA allows up to 40 pieces at $50 a pop per organization with a business card from a production co / press id. I don't know of any other airline that offers this policy.
Click to expand...

Other airlines with media policies:

Frontier (25/bag)
Southwest (50/bag)
Delta (50/bag)

Pelican 1510 is usually not a problem. It does not fit in the overheads on RJ's though, it does fit under most RJ seats depending on the flight crews tolerance for protrusion from the underside of the seat. You will be stepping on it. Otherwise they will try and gate check. You might be able to convice them to put in crews locker. I prefer to carry my cameras in a Lowepro backpack that absolutely fits under all seats, even the middle seat on 747 and the window seat on Embrarers. It's a tight squeeze, but at least I can always keep it on me.
 
I've put my 1510 in the overhead of a Delta CRJ last week. Fit perfect. Sounds like YMMV.

Here's my carry-on setup: 12 flights in the last 3 weeks.

(in the baggies are GMP 160Wh batteries.)

travel1.jpg



travel2.jpg






travel3.jpg








travel4.jpg






travel5.jpg






both.jpg
 
Thanks guys for helping me out with this! I just wanted to make sure I was ok.

I like the way you arranged your pelican case Mike. I got the laser cut foam for my case but it doesn't leave as many holes for things. I might reconfigure it.

Thanks for the tip Matt in regards to the "media" baggage policy. That is going to help out a lot!
 
Hey Mike,
Do you travel with both bags pictured as Cary-on in the same time? If yes, is it only us interstate flights, or international as well. I am asking because on many airports those two big and I assume quite heavy cases will not go as one and allowed inside without checking them in.

Victor
www.cinemotion.bg
 
Yeah, I travel with both. But only flights to the US, Puerto Rico, and Mexico so far. I imagine the EU flights would be different. I plan on bringing that kit to the UK for The Open Championship in July. We'll see how it goes!
 
Totally different for travel outside of the USA. Weight limit is usually 7kg to 10kg.

One carry on only unless you have status or business class ticket.

Flight attendants would reject that case in my experience... (I have one, but don't try to carry it on).
 
I used these case twice lately once to London and again to Amsterdam, from LAX , nobody weighed the carry on. The are Probably 40 Lbs. each never got weighed. They fit in the overhead perfectly. They are also under ATA CARNET , so whatever you think is not okay - it is oaky. It is just a lot of heavy gear in the carry on bins, no big deal.
 
Brian, what airline was that ? I heard that certain airlines are being more picky than others.
 
That was United both trips. But I have done domestic trip with Epic in carry on Pelicans on all Major Airlines.
 

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I went from London to Geneva in 2010 with a Red One in the same case no problems. The other guy had a Petrol case that looks like a Doctor bag. Between us we had all of the camera gear. The only thing we checked was the tripod and our clothes.
 
Question for you who've traveled a lot by air w/ camera gear: is it really dumb to CHECK a RED camera in a Pelican case rather than do it as a carryon? From what I understand, Pelican cases are renown for their toughness and absolute ability to protect delicate gear in all kinds of abusive handling situations (their website shows a glass vase inside a case tossed off a high 2nd or more story roof to concrete ground, and the vase was perfectly fine inside). I ask this not because I'm anxious to check my Epic when I fly with it but because I would really like to be able to fit all essential Epic gear into one case (including 3-4 lenses and a mattebox), and a Pelican 1510, the largest that fits carryon size limits, is clearly not big enough for that. In a pinch, I could do with just one lens in the RED case (the others in my Canon soft backpack with my 5D MII). But I still want to fit mattebox and a few filters in with the Epic. If I got a larger Pelican and checked it, I could do that. I know batteries will be an issue with checked bags. Like Scarlet (not the camera, the character) I'll think about that tomorrow.:-)
 
First thing about traveling with an EPIC, NEVER CHECK IT IN, always have it as a carry on, second... Don't use the Pick n' Pluck foam inserts, this foam tends to let out a TON of Foam Dust Particles, that get in to the inside of your Camera and lenses, so DON'T USE IT!!

This is how I travel, the Master Primes have been temporarily replaced by Ultra Primes till our Leica Summilux Cine Primes get here, and the LARGE Peli case with Atom 3D rig goes under of course... ;)

L1030253.jpg
 
So I traveled to Detroit and back this weekend with the 1510 pelican and a backpack with my lenses bubble wrapped inside. No problems at all!!!! Matt, thanks for the tip on "media" travel policies, that helped with the tripod I had.

So, I was stressed when getting on the plane because I was last in boarding. If all the space was taken up in the storage bins then they would have had to put my EPIC under the plane. If that would have happened I would have tried to pay someone to let my bag stay up in the bin. Has anybody ever had to check their EPIC down below? I would be worried about theft as much as damage because they don't let you lock the pelican case.

Ketch- What type of soft bag do you have there with your epics/lenses?
 
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