Anyone taking mics on the plane as hand luggage?

[mosrite]

Hi Folks,

I'm heading abroad from the UK soon and really want to take my pair of Schoeps with me. I know this never used to be an issue but wondered, with the current fashion for fictional red alerts, whether anyone had any advice to give?

I have contacted the airlines and airport who all seem to think it will be fine but I am paranoid by the idea that some security guy takes a dislike to me or the mics and decides they can't go onboard as hand luggage. I have no idea what would happen then.

Any opinions?

[valleysound]

I did a one-off that flew me from the East coast (USA) to the West coast with about 15 mics in a carry on. On the way over they ran the bag though the X-ray twice. I told them they were mics and no problem at all. On the way back, they had some barely English speaking airline employees. Bag search! They couldn't even open one small case a pair of Ksm109's were in. They just about grabbed me by the neck when I reached over to flip the latch so they didn't break it! The latch even had an arrow pointing which way to slide it! I was really nervous the whole time that they would try to take the mics apart, but they didn't. They handled the mics like they hot dogs about to be thrown into a frying pan. Next time I will take some printed literature of the mics. Very nerve wracking experience with the lack of care they expressed.

[Jim vanBergen]

1. Carry a BILL OF LADING! Make sure the itemization matches exactly whats in the case, Include serial numbers for preamps and capsules.

2. Make sure you have some mic literature in the mic case. You can even print out some Schoeps PDFs, just so someone who does not understand mics can see that its a legitimate manufacturer. (This saved me with some Earthworks QTC mics that they thought looked like horse syringes.)

3. If everything is Schopes, Gefell, Neumann, DPA, etc Bring an OBVIOUS mic with you, like an SM58, so that they have something they recognize from TV. (It helps them make the jump in understanding.) Posting a picture of your mic setup, or Pavoratti in front of a schoeps capsule, does not hurt either!

4. Use the most robust case you can use while still looking like business luggage. Label top and bottom on the sides, (this side up! Danger, upside down! with universal signage.) Use a combination or key lock at your own leisure (if you have the time!) I like to use a combination lock, which gets the first X-ray done, then when they ask to open it I do so happily, insuring it is right side up. Sometimes I carry a locking Gator case, sometimes I use a soft case with foam...if I can secure the expensive mics well enough.

5. When they are about to open the case, ask for a senior security agent, explain that they are incredibly delicate electronics that are valuable instruments that are hard to calibrate and should not be handled carelessly.

6. Give yourself LOTS of time for airport security.

7. Be prepared that you might evenutally have to "gate check" the piece, which is why the case should be lockable.

hope this helps!

Jim

[mosrite]

Jim,

That helps a great deal, thankyou.

I am still sizing up the pros and cons of taking them. The obvious pro is that I can be self sufficient but I still don't know if it's worth the risk. And Valleysounds post doesn't help my confidence with taking them!

[T.RayBullard]

Ive taken my 426B on 3 seperate occasions(spain, portugal, greece) as hand-carry. Never had an issue. Just take documentation and youll be fine.

Originally Posted by mosrite

Hi Folks,

I'm heading abroad from the UK soon and really want to take my pair of Schoeps with me. I know this never used to be an issue but wondered, with the current fashion for fictional red alerts, whether anyone had any advice to give?

I have contacted the airlines and airport who all seem to think it will be fine but I am paranoid by the idea that some security guy takes a dislike to me or the mics and decides they can't go onboard as hand luggage. I have no idea what would happen then.

Any opinions?

[mosrite]

Teddy,

When you say documentation do you mean something from the mic manufacturer as Jim mentioned?

[dolo72]

I would agree with everything said but also I would say get a Carne. This is an official document specifing exactly what equipment ( with serial numbers, value etc ) is to be taken into and out of the respective country your travelling to for a professional engagement. Ive found you get alot more respect from customs people if you can give them a government(s) approved document stating the value of the kit and its purpose. I think you get them through the home office(uk), I do TV work so the producer get a kit list from me then they sort it out.

[Remoteness]

JvB,

Well said as always!

Thanks a bunch!

[dkatz42]

Originally Posted by dolo72

I would agree with everything said but also I would say get a Carne. This is an official document specifing exactly what equipment ( with serial numbers, value etc ) is to be taken into and out of the respective country your travelling to for a professional engagement. Ive found you get alot more respect from customs people if you can give them a government(s) approved document stating the value of the kit and its purpose. I think you get them through the home office(uk), I do TV work so the producer get a kit list from me then they sort it out.

Yep, I'd strongly recommend a carnet for international travel if you're taking a bunch of expensive gear--think of it as a passport for your gear. I'm not sure about the rules, but at some point they become mandatory. They aren't for the faint of heart though, as they're neither cheap nor easy to obtain (at least in the US.) Lots of paperwork to fill out, and lots of customs folks don't quite know what to do with them.

Of course, if you show up with a carnet, many countries will be looking for your press pass or other commercial documentation as well, which opens up all kinds of other bureaucratic nightmares. (Nothing like showing up in Lusaka Zambia at 6am with three carts full of gear and our press passes in the hands of somebody on the *outside* of customs...)

Oh, and never, *ever*, refer to that long skinny thing as a "shotgun" microphone, particularly when your hotel is across the street from the Israeli embassy and you're talking to a guard with a Uzi.

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by dkatz42

Oh, and never, *ever*, refer to that long skinny thing as a "shotgun" microphone, particularly when your hotel is across the street from the Israeli embassy and you're talking to a guard with a Uzi.

DKatz, I find that quite funny- having been on the end of several Uzi's while working with the Pope and a couple of US prez's... just recently I mixed the 9/11 memorial broadcast (the 14 camera pool feed from Ground Zero/WTC) and the Secret Service asked me "how many shotguns I had around, and would I be addinng any" for the reflecting pools that G.W. Bush was going to be laying wreaths in. I just about pooped myself...

Just when we started taping his segments, I had two soldiers in full dress BDUs, machine guns ready, walk thru the mobile unit and stop in audio, pointing their hardware at me. "Can I help you?" I wearily smiled, expecting a need for an explanation of what I was doing or to receive a military babysitter for the duration for some type of national cleanliness confidence. "Nope, just checkin our all your cool toys," one said, the other flashed a smile, and they were on their way out.

What a day.

Jim