Flying with lights

Fellas,

I'll be shooting my first out-of-state wedding in a few weeks that require me to fly. I have never done this before. I'll be flying in one of those smaller jet planes. I think it's the Embraer 175. It's a Delta flight.

Anyways, I'd like to know if any of you have flown with lights before. I want to bring at least one Strobe with me (AB800 or Einstein). Of course I will need to bring a lightstand as well and probably a smaller umbrella. I've also got a Vagabond Mini Lithium as well, but I am not sure I am going to bring that.

I have a Think Tank Airport Antidote for my cameras, lenses, speedlights, and laptop so that's covered.

I'll be staying on-location for 4 days, so I'll need to bring some extra clothing as well.

What do you guys to to transport the lights? I was thinking bring a regular suit case, stuff some clothes and the lights in there and check it in.

What do I need to know about batteries, including my rechargeable Eneloops that I use for the battery packs and speedlights, and the one that comes with the Vagabond?

Thanks!

Dont do it ...
Too heavy, too much damage.
Just Rent or stay portable or High ISO.

I'm doing it.

I'll probably bring my AB800 because it's not that heavy and it can be cheaply replaced.

Anyways I need some real suggestions.

You going to check the lights? You need to be aware of size and particularly weight restrictions for overhead compartments. Not a lot of room on that bird.

digital paradise wrote in post #13861995
You going to check the lights? You need to be aware of size and particularly weight restrictions for overhead compartments. Not a lot of room on that bird.

Yeah, I think I have no choice but the check the lights. I'm thinking stuff them in the suit case which will be stuffed with clothing to protect the lights. Maybe just take out the flash bulb and put that in my Think Tank that I'll be carrying on. Then I gotta worry about stands.

You know anything about rechargeable Eneloops and the Vagabond? How do I transport them?

You might want to consider shipping them ahead via ups or fedex so you dont have the security hassles. You can pack the properly and not worry about them being opened for inspection.

As far as the batteries go I think they are required to be in your carry-on luggage. You may want to check the airlines website to be sure.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13862050
You might want to consider shipping them ahead via ups or fedex so you dont have the security hassles. You can pack the properly and not worry about them being opened for inspection.

That's a thought. I suppose I can ship it to the hotel. It's on the same coast so it shouldn't cost too much money and shouldn't take too long and I am set to arrive 2 days before the wedding so I have a good margin there.

What kind of security hassles would I have if I stuff an AB800 inside my checked in luggage with flash bulb removed?

robn70 wrote in post #13862377
As far as the batteries go I think they are required to be in your carry-on luggage. You may want to check the airlines website to be sure.

I see. I suppose there are limits to how many you can bring? I have tons of eneloops.

I don''t think you will have any security issues. I bring my tri and monopod on the plane all the time and it could be a weapon but they never stop me. It will be fine to check it.

A far as batteries. No limit but I think they don't like them all together in one area. I have done it but never have been stopped.

digital paradise wrote in post #13862504
I don''t think you will have any security issues. I bring my tri and monopod on the plane all the time and it could be a weapon but they never stop me. It will be fine to check it.

A far as batteries. No limit but I think they don't like them all together in one area. I have done it but never have been stopped.

I plan on bringing 2 580EXIIs, maybe a YN-560, and 2 battery packs. They will all have Eneloops in them. I'll probably have another 16 extra Eneloops cased inside 2 plastic battery cases that hold 8 each. So that's a LOT of Eneloops.

I will probably not bring my Vagabond Mini, although I want to. Just too much bulk. I'll make do with my speedlights if I need supplemental lighting.

I would still like to bring my AB800 though.

Also any issues with regards to radio triggers?

I have no idea but just wanted to wish you good luck Nick

scorpio_e wrote in post #13863219
I have no idea but just wanted to wish you good luck Nick

Um...thanks.

Properly pack what you really want to use
Ship it ahead of yourself
Pack Speedlights as backups
Roll the shipping into your invoice

There are only two occasions where I've had my lithium batteries confiscated: once on a flight to Korea and once on a flight to Cyprus. I had to buy batteries in-country as soon as I'd checked into my hotel(s).
I think you can check your lithiums but not carry them on, or maybe it's vice versa. I wasn't flying Delta either time but I imagine the rules are the same everywhere. I use the Energizer lithium AA batteries for all my 580 units (since every time I've used Eneloops in them, they've fired off once then stopped working altogether) and I guess the airlines are sketchy about that. My obvious advice would be to carry-on as much of the expensive stuff as you can and check the rest. Where are you flying?

I have done it both ways. For shoots in Mexico I take them with me on the plane and pay the extra charges, bill it as a line item w/ 30% extra. Trust me, the 30 points will come in handy when you have to schlep it through the airport.

For CONUS I ship ahead and track it to the hotel. I call ahead and get the Hotel managers name, and contact info prior to shipping. Either way I make sure that I have backup for what ever I am taking.