Bringing a microphone on a plane

[maestro]

i bought a Wagner 47w from a fellow gearslut and discovered on my first use of it that it is distorting (i was told it was perfect by the seller). Gunter recommended that Andreas repair it.

Anyway i would rather travel with the microphone. Can i bring it on an airplane as hand luggage?

Thank you.

[MMski]

Last flight I was on, a film crew had their 8000 dollar HD cameras on board as hand luggage, I think a microphone will be good to go!

[maestro]

Originally Posted by MMski

Last flight I was on, a film crew had their 8000 dollar HD cameras on board as hand luggage, I think a microphone will be good to go!

Thanks but do you think they needed to organise permission prior to bringing it on board?

[Remoteness]

I bring all sorts of mics and equipment on board as carry-on.
As long as the mic is in the proper sized carry-on luggage I cannot see why you would have a problem.

[dtf]

I also travel with a suitcase full of mics regularly. Sometimes I get questions at the security scans, and in some cases I have to take out the mics to show them.

I have found that on certain airports/countries you can already expect the security staff to want to touch the mics etc., so be prepared.

[MMski]

I did get questioned pretty heavily about an electric toothbrush... a tube microphone might raise some eyebrows.

[maestro]

Do they ever open the mic to reveal capsule etc?

[sonare]

After many trips with many mics the answer is still no. They want to make sure it won't explode.

Rich

[maestro]

Originally Posted by MMski

I did get questioned pretty heavily about an electric toothbrush... a tube microphone might raise some eyebrows.

Any hint of a risk and i won't go. What do i do with such an expensive mic if they refuse to allow me on with it?

[sonare]

Originally Posted by maestro

Any hint of a risk and i won't go. What do i do with such an expensive mic if they refuse to allow me on with it?

If you are in the US you are worrying needlessly-- or you can ignore our experiences with microphones (not toothbrushes) and stay home.

RIch

[Russell Dawkins]

I take a Royer SF12 or SF24 and shockmount with me in my carry-on backpack with my Metric Halo, laptop, a Y-cord for the mic and a set of Etymotic Research earphones.

I do this so if (as has happened) nothing of my checked baggage arrives, I still have the absolute basics to record, with the less critical equipment sourced at the destination.

The mic looks like a gun silencer to some security personnel, so I will bring a photo of me setting it up with an orchestra behind me, or a CD with my name in the credits as quick proof that it is a mic.

I have never had any serious trouble with this carry on package, but have had checked-in baggage with other mics, mic pres, cables and other stuff not show up until I got back home 5 weeks later.

[Remoteness]

I'll tell you what...

I never check-in baggage...
It's not something I do anymore for the obvious reasons.

I mean, why should my luggage enjoy a wonderful time in Hawaii when I'm stuck on the mainland somewhere without my gear and clothes?

If I need to be away longer than what I can handle with a carry-on situation, I normally FedEx my stuff to the hotel (I'm staying at) or venue (I'm working at) a few days in advance, so I know exactly where I stand before I board the plane.

[maestro]

I will just be bringing the 47w microphone w/o PSU etc. I'm bringing it to Andreas in Berlin to repair. I spent a fortune on this microphone & it didn't even work so i'm hoping he can repair it.

[Martin Kantola]

Originally Posted by maestro

Can i bring it on an airplane as hand luggage?

Never had any issues.

Some of the microphones I've carried aboard were early prototypes, must look like home made pipe bombs on the x-ray. But just stay calm and answer the questions the security people ask you, they've always been great with me. Usually ask them to be careful not to drop the microphones if they want to take a closer look. If your case or bag is a mess of cables and microphones it might take longer at security, so bringing only the sensitive mikes is a good idea.

I do check the power supplies sometimes, not fun to carry on heavy transformers anyway.

Martin

[Ol' Betsey]

Originally Posted by maestro

What do i do with such an expensive mic if they refuse to allow me on with it?

You will have to leave it in the trashcan next to the x-ray machine with all the nail-clippers, tweezers and bottle openers.

But really, like everyone has said, just keep your cool. They WILL ask to see it (especially now that the airports are on higher alerts again) but you'll be fine. Be sure to take any documentation you have with you as well, you know anything that reinforces the fact it's a microphone. MOST people will know what it is but you might get an overzealous newbie that's wants to be super cautious.

I've carried on microphones, API Eq's, guitars, guitar pedals... Surprisingly (or not, I know nothing about airport security) they always seem to get nervous when they see spare guitar strings and 9v batteries in close proximity. Better safe than sorry, for both them and us, that's what I say.

Have fun in Berlin! (I hear it's cold now!)

R.

[_Morph_]

I've been stopped in Paris in order to have my gear checked for radiation!
They're pretty skeptical concerning stuff that may possibly explode, but they'll just check it out, nothing more.

[joelpatterson]

Tell you what-- if you end up being the first person who carries a mic on a plane that does explode-- there goes your invitation to the Gearslutz parties!

[Marlan]

I flew cross country 4 few weeks ago for a location recording with a backpack containing 6 Schoeps and Neumann's, and a Laptop and firewire interface. Not a single problem. They may want you to use separate bins when going through x-ray, but that's it.

Check with TSA before you leave especially in light of the most recent in-air incident on Northwest.

[bishopthomas]

Originally Posted by Martin Kantola

If your case or bag is a mess of cables and microphones it might take longer at security...

I traveled around the world with a rack of in ear monitors and had to explain EVERY time I went through security. There was an antenna distro in it so I think it had to do with the mess of wiring that is attached to those things. It was never a problem, but explaining what an IEM is to a complete layman was annoying.

[12ax7]

You have to be careful with language in situations like this.

For instance, DON'T say: "This microphone is da BOMB!!"

[DannyL]

I have been traveling with microphones for years. Some of them are moderate in price (SM81's, C42's) some are irreplaceable (U67's, MV692's)

I always am friendly and cooperative. I always say exactly what the device is and what it is used for. If the agent wants to test for chemical residue, I ask that they are careful with the capsule. They have never asked to disassemble a mic and I have never had a failure due to an agent's ministrations. I have had a few interesting conversations: "Wasn't this the kind of mic that Sinatra used? Say, you don't know Sinatra, do you?"

If I present them with the information regarding equipment in a friendly manner, expecting respect and being cooperative, I generally receive respect and cooperation.

Danny

[piotr]

Originally Posted by 12ax7

You have to be careful with language in situations like this.

For instance, DON'T say: "This microphone is da BOMB!!"

Or that "it blows", for that matter...

p.

[Jim vanBergen]

We've covered this thread before a few times- a search will turn it up.
Here's the most recent one from 2009

Flying with microphones!

I'd carry the mic's documentation, a business card, and a sale receipt, along with a Carnet.

Good luck!

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

... the mic's documentation, a business card, and a sale receipt...

And some way to prove that you're not the world's smartest terrorist and knew this is EXACTLY what they would want to see....

[Rappy]

Just don't carry on a Copperphone mic as hand luggage, or this could happen: Dallas Music - Together, We're Suspects - page 1

-Rappy

[Remoteness]

I see...

A little bit of "Security Theatre" for us to watch and feel more protected.
I don't know, those mics don't really look like a pipe bomb; do they?

In any event, it's a drag in so many ways.
What a shame it had to happen that way!

What do I know? I'm just a knucklehead audio engineer.

[klaukholm]

For all our prague sessions, we bring a set of M150s as carryon.
My violinist colleagues regularly bring their $million intruments onboard as well.
You have to make sure you are not in any way overwight for the most restrictive leg of your travel (often in country flights in europe allow less than intercontinental flights)
They also have to fit in the little basket they have by the check in counter.
If it exeeds the given airlines dimentions in ANY way you can be in for a serious problem.

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

... just a knucklehead audio engineer.

Hopefully, you aren't one of these people whose knuckles are registered as lethal weapons!

[maestro]

Thanks for all of the reassurance. I will bring the mic in a vintage wooden box. I don't need to bring the power supply or any cables etc, just the mic for repair.

The only documentation i have is the certificate that came with it. Should i print off an email from Andreas saying to bring it in for repair?

[Peter Allison]

A while ago now, there was a TV programme about one of the UK budget airlines, and lo and behold, there was a Mr. Collier of priory records, ( a specialist organ and choral recording company) playing hell with them, because he had to put his Soundfield in the luggage hold. They would, for some unknown reason not allow it in "cabin luggage", although he was saying that had never been a problem in the past