Bringing a microphone on a plane

[12ax7]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

I see...
<snip>
What a shame it had to happen that way!

It didn't

(...But then, that's a whole 'nother thread!).

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by 12ax7

It didn't

(...But then, that's a whole 'nother thread!).

It's true, you have to be careful with language in situations like this.

[Gaston69]

I borrowed from Amptec a DPA 5.1 S5 Surround Mount nicely packed in aluminimum briefcase which I wanted to hand carry on the plane as it is quit expensive (2700,- Euros) however the customs/security (Dusseldorf Germany) at the airport stopped me and advice me to check in the briefcase as special luggage. Reason given was that it could be used as a weapon. On top they checked my Unibody Macbook Pro for explosives using a GasChromatograph.stike

However I think a microphone might be a different story.

For details on S5 surround mount pls click DPA Microphones :: Products

I am a frequent flyer (every 8 weeks Middle East to Europe and Vica Versa)

[Cosmic Closet]

Given the ready availability of small digital recorders with Phantom (like the Zoom H4) why not just bring that along, plug in your condenser and let them listen through a pair of cheap headphones?

I have a Neumann SM69 stereo mic, and while the thing looks a bit like a German WW2 hand grenade, if and when I take it with me, I will also bring my H4 just for that reason. Much like with a camera, if they can hear the mic in action, that should pretty well end any arguments.

Oh, and if they really think you would use it as a weapon, bring a price quote for your mic, and ask them if they really think you'd be stupid enough to waste it by hitting someone over the head with it....(I am kidding, I am KIDDING...)

[MrJulius]

Originally Posted by maestro

Should i print off an email from Andreas saying to bring it in for repair?

Yes you should, it might help with Customs as well (If you are going international)

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by MrJulius

Yes you should, it might help with Customs as well (If you are going international)

Since you are taking it out of country, you'll want an original sales receipt as well as the service email, so that neither country requires you to pay tax on anything but the service being done in the country. It's a messy business sometimes. Definitely make out an international carnet that lists the various pieces and their specific ID numbers, even value, as well as the letter stating that you're carrying them for service and returning back to the country of origin. Can't be too safe.

[klaukholm]

Originally Posted by Cosmic Closet

Given the ready availability of small digital recorders with Phantom (like the Zoom H4) why not just bring that along, plug in your condenser and let them listen through a pair of cheap headphones?

I have a Neumann SM69 stereo mic, and while the thing looks a bit like a German WW2 hand grenade, if and when I take it with me, I will also bring my H4 just for that reason. Much like with a camera, if they can hear the mic in action, that should pretty well end any arguments.

Oh, and if they really think you would use it as a weapon, bring a price quote for your mic, and ask them if they really think you'd be stupid enough to waste it by hitting someone over the head with it....(I am kidding, I am KIDDING...)

Not a bad idea,
I had to play my bass in the dublin airport to prove I am a musician, and similar things have happened to colleagues both in customs and security checks.
Also carry along a case that can help it survive in the hold should it come to that.
I have broken the necks of three top dollar basses courtesy of various airlines so try to avoid it if you can.

[Thomas W. Bethe]

After the last couple of weeks I would check with the airlines before you decide to take microphones on as carry on luggage. They are getting more and more uptight about what they will and will not allow and today they just toughened up the rules even more BBC News - Tougher US air screening for 'security-risk' countries.

[Bell Head]

Travelling to the US they now only allow one bag as carry on!

No laptop or nothin'

about 7kg max depending which Airline

[12ax7]

Originally Posted by Bell Head

Travelling to the US they now only allow one bag as carry on!

No laptop or nothin'

about 7kg max depending which Airline

...Nor does it work to carry a mic in your anal cavity. (They sometimes look up there, as well.)


Oh well, as Homer Simpson once said:

"Tyranny and oppression is a small price to pay to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
.

[DannyL]

As per American Airlines:

You can carry on one bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as:


They weigh no more than 40 lbs/18 kgs

The bag is no more than 45 inches and the personal item is no more than 36 inches when you add the length + width + height so that it fits in an overhead bin or under the seat
Personal item - includes: backpack purse, briefcase, laptop OR a similar item such as book bag or tote that does not exceed 36 inches( length+width+height) and fits under the seat.

Additional items that will be allowed above and beyond the restrictions listed above include:


Outerwear such as coats/wraps/hats

Book or newspaper

Small bag of food to eat on the flight - see guidelines for liquids

Approved safety seat for lap or ticketed child

Umbrella stroller for lap or ticketed child

Diaper bag for lap or ticketed child

Assistive devices for passengers such as wheelchairs, walkers and CPAP machines

Therapeutic oxygen provided by the airline


It is always best to check the facts first. It is a policy I decided on after falling victim to an internet hoax. It is easy enough to do so.
You can even go to Scopes.com and look there. There is SO much bad information, the small effort to check the facts is well worth the trouble and could possibly save you a lot of money, time and of course, hassle.

By the way, if you are a frequent flyer with any particular airline you can expect to receive preferential treatment.


Danny

Originally Posted by 12ax7

...Nor does it work to carry a mic in your anal cavity. (They sometimes look up there, as well.)


Oh well, as Homer Simpson once said:

"Tyranny and oppression is a small price to pay to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
.

[12ax7]

Originally Posted by DannyL

<snip>

By the way, if you are a frequent flyer with any particular airline you can expect to receive preferential treatment.

Oh, cool.

Still, they legally reserve the "right" to look where the sun don't shine.

(No thanks, I'll walk.)

[Bell Head]

Originally Posted by DannyL

As per American Airlines:

You can carry on one bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as:


They weigh no more than 40 lbs/18 kgs

The bag is no more than 45 inches and the personal item is no more than 36 inches when you add the length + width + height so that it fits in an overhead bin or under the seat
Personal item - includes: backpack purse, briefcase, laptop OR a similar item such as book bag or tote that does not exceed 36 inches( length+width+height) and fits under the seat.

Additional items that will be allowed above and beyond the restrictions listed above include:


Outerwear such as coats/wraps/hats

Book or newspaper

Small bag of food to eat on the flight - see guidelines for liquids

Approved safety seat for lap or ticketed child

Umbrella stroller for lap or ticketed child

Diaper bag for lap or ticketed child

Assistive devices for passengers such as wheelchairs, walkers and CPAP machines

Therapeutic oxygen provided by the airline


It is always best to check the facts first. It is a policy I decided on after falling victim to an internet hoax. It is easy enough to do so.
You can even go to Scopes.com and look there. There is SO much bad information, the small effort to check the facts is well worth the trouble and could possibly save you a lot of money, time and of course, hassle.

By the way, if you are a frequent flyer with any particular airline you can expect to receive preferential treatment.


Danny

I think that list may be a little out of date. My partner was travelling Air New Zealand Auckland to L.A last friday and was told about this new rule. One bag only. This was directly from the airline staff at check in. Heard it with my own ears. Had to repack the carry on bag. 7kg limit. Of course the Airline may have got it wrong.

[DannyL]

The information I posted was from American Airlines and is what is currently on their site. I recently traveled from Brazil to the US and there were no problems. But then again, this may be different for fliers with mileage staus.

Danny

[ericsvizeny]

Reading through this thread...it's freakin' hilarious.

- Eric

[Rolo 46]

I never carried on board
The Cameramen did
Camera body only
Expensive Glass in excess baggage with my kit and camera accessories.
Occasionally put the camera body in a swabbing and sense-sing chamber to sniff for high explosives.
Lithium ion batteries sometimes a problem (Anton Bauer bricks)
Especially if traveling with other crews on a jumbo.
Never had any questions about microphones
Radio mics ,yes, Walkie Talkies yes, especially in 3rd world ,coup prone banana repubs.

[FrozenSounds]

I've never tried it as carry on, but when it comes to self defense a Sennheiser MD46 reporters dynamic cardioid must be one of the best choices out there

'long handle with excellent balance' 250mm and 360g of very solid cast aluminium. ( 10" / 13oz )

[EarlG]

Aw, man. So you don't think the two of us will make it onboard?

[Rolo 46]

Delicious shot
SBC is a loose cannon in so many ways.....
The ideal Freddy Mercury.

[Strange Leaf]

Originally Posted by maestro

I don't need to bring the power supply or any cables etc, just the mic for repair.

If the thing is distorting, couldn't it also be a fault at the power supply? How can the repair man troubleshoot the mic if you leave cables and power supply at home? If he has a power supply and the fault is in the mic, then yes, but how do you know that already? I don't know shit about repairing mics, so I'm just making an honest question. It would seem logical to me to have the whole package at hand when doing a troubleshooting.