Workshop Equipment Travel

• Film

• Camera and Equipment

Film

There are a couple of options:

• Carry-On – The current X-ray equipment for carry-on luggage is not supposed to damage unexposed film. Current Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations permit you to have film hand inspected. You may want to try this, but remember most screeners think film comes in little canisters in yellow and red boxes. Having them inspect sheet film may be worse than the X-ray machine. Each airline should have a Customer Service Representative at the inspection station to assist passengers. If you feel adventuresome, or lucky, you may want to try to carry-on your film.

• Ship – FedEx does not X-ray small packages at this time. You can pack up your film and ship it ahead to the workshop location. As the workshops are not located in large metropolitan areas, you will want to confirm with FedEx the delivery time for the given workshop. The workshop location will have secure storage for film that arrives a few days prior to the workshop. FedEx is suggested as they seem to have the most reliable express shipping and their airplanes, trucks, and vans are all painted white.

• Order and Ship – Dealing with a quality workshop provider enables you to take advantage of a more personalized service. After the full payment for the workshop has been received you may order your film for the workshop through us. Specify the type(s) of film, format, and amount of film. We will purchase the film for you at the best possible prices and bring it to the workshop. The film will be transported in a cooler. We will also provide adequate FedEx packaging to enable you to express ship the film to your home. You pay for the film when you arrive and the shipping from the workshop location.

Camera and Equipment

The best bet for insurance is to contact the carrier of your homeowner/renters policy and make sure that your gear is insured. The cost of adding these items to the policy is minimal when compared to the cost of some of our equipment. Carry a complete inventory of your equipment in a separate place in the event you suffer a loss.

• Camera Gear as Checked Luggage - As stated above, this is certainly not the first choice. In the event you feel you have no choice, want your equipment on the same plane, there are some methods to reduce your anxiety and increase the chances that your equipment will arrive intact.

• Insure your equipment.

• Secure your equipment in a sturdy, solid case. Pelican cases are nearly indestructible and come in a variety of sizes. We can advise you on the appropriate Pelican case and have it shipped to you upon purchase.

• Lock the case with cable ties, or similar devices, and attach a small bag with additional ties to the handle of the case. In the event the TSA feels a need to open the case for further inspection they will not damage the case removing a cable tie. A large note attached to the handle, with the extra ties, may encourage the TSA to re-secure the case if they do inspect it. This is not guaranteed.

• Shipping Camera Gear – Once again, FedEx is the recommendation here. You will be able to lock the case and FedEx will cover your equipment in the event of a loss. 

• Insure your equipment.

• Secure your equipment in a sturdy, solid case. Pelican cases are nearly indestructible and come in a variety of sizes. We can advise you on the appropriate Pelican case and have it shipped to you upon purchase.

• The workshop location will provide secure storage for equipment that arrives a few days prior to the workshop. Although the storage will be provided you should still obtain insurance on your equipment.

• On a space available basis we may be able to receive some equipment and transport it to the workshop location.

• Carry-On Camera Equipment – It may take a little creativity, but you can still carry-on a camera as large as an Ebony 8x10. The key here is to make sure that the luggage containing the camera is within the maximum dimensions allowed.

• The maximum size for carry-on baggage is 45 linear inches (the total of the height, width, and depth of the bag). There are a number of camera specific bags that will fit within these limits. However, many standard luggage pieces will fit within the limits and provide room for the camera and perhaps a couple of lenses. Lands End has carry-on bags that are more than adequate for this purpose. 

• Try to board the aircraft early so the room is still available in the overhead racks.

• You are allowed two carry-on items, one of which is supposed to be a personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop computer. If your camera fills the large carry-on, perhaps a lens or two can go into your “personal” carry-on. 

• Check your other equipment, film holders, light meter, etc. in a suitable container, being mindful of the 50 lb. limit for each checked bag, and the possibility that it will be opened. Secure this bag in the manner previously mentioned in the hopes that it will be re-secured.

When dealing with the TSA Screeners and airline personnel try to have a positive attitude. If things start to go downhill ask for your airline’s Customer Service Representative before loosing your temper. It is not a bad idea to contact your airline in advance and discuss what equipment you will be carrying. Have the information you obtain handy, as well as the name of the employee providing the information.

If you have any questions regarding traveling to the workshop call us. We are here to help and make this a wonderful creative experience. We are prepared to advise you and provide the equipment you need.