"Light" kit my foot!

Hawk Teflon

Hawk Teflon

Veteran
I'm packing up for a shoot in Philly tomorrow, and I grabbed the light kit (Arri kit - 2 1000w, 2 600w, stands etc in a hard travel case) and realized (as I was picking it up), "ARGH! This thing must weigh 100 pounds!" Forgot to lift with my knees, too. Ah oh well.

I think most of the weight is the case itself, which is understandable for protection. Is there, however, a lighter solution I'm not aware of?
 
Except for a few LitePanels I rarely travel with lights.

If it's really 100 lb most airlines won't accept it as luggage. You could send it air freight, but not at the terminal.

You might look at a ATA certified rolling Tenba air case, & split your kit into multiple cases. In general I avoid larger Pelicans as they are heavy.

Or better yet rent locally.
 
I just can't imagine flying with a bunch of gear and not having my own wheels at the destination.

Grant
 
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The OP didn't mention "flying"... but weight of gear is a huge issue. You need wheeled cases, a good dolly, and break heavy things (turtle bases, sand bags) into smaller loads. You can fit about 8 turtle bases into a long dairy crate - but then you can hardly lift the damn thing.

I have an old domke lighting stand bag that has lasted 15 years and is as tough as it was new... it can hold three c-stand center columns and arms, and usually has a pile of aluminum 5/8 pipe and a steel stand or two. Usually weighs 50 - 60 pounds, yet it just looks like any old light stand bag.

I was loading out after a music video and the guys were helping out. One dude grabbed that bag on his way to the truck, mid-stride - almost face-planted. "Holy SH*T what is in that thing??"
 
Sorry for any confusion. Yes, this WAS for flying, but since Delta doesn't have curbside check-in here, I had to nix the entire kit (I checked, and it's right at 87 pounds), as I was flying solo, and I had 5 bags. I carried two, checked three. It was $185 for three checked bags on Delta. Unbelievable. I can't imagine the cost of that Arri kit going anywhere.

Paul, what does the media pass get you on Southwest?
 
As another side note, you can also get a media exemption with United. I have elite status with them so rarely actually need to use it since i get 3x 70lb bags free anytime and that usually covers the gear i need. The few times i do need to go overweight or have excess bags its $50 bucks a bag beyond my 3 bags each up to 100 lbs unless flying on a RJ, then its also capped at 70 lbs. But getting 3 70 pound bags free everytime i fly, ontop of priority boarding to put carryons in overheads and free upgrades to first class, makes it worth it to pick one airline and stick to it! (even though right now united is horrible as they going through merger, but thats another whole argument)
 
I also forgot to mention i use southwest cargo, they are amazing! It costs a minimum of 60$ for a shipment, and that gets you up to 60 pounds i believe. Beyond that it goes by weight at around $1 a pound regardless of how many cases of gear it is in. Best part is you can get equipment almost anywhere in the US with same day service.
 
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