Well I FINALLY made it overseas and back with about 12 MOTM modules (and 7
Arrick's) without any damages. In the past I've slapped Fragile stickers all
over an ATA-approved SKB rack with the modules bolted in tight, and found
that the airlines had managed to do plenty of damage anyway. One time it
looked like a 100+ lbs footlocker must have been hurled, corner first, into
my case. The impact had done serious damage to a couple modules as the
boards in back were actually knocked loose. But after flying back and forth
three times WITH damages, I finally figured out how to avoid damage:
First, I removed each module, wrapped each in a plastic bag, then put them
back in the original box, packed in with peanuts. I put each box inside an
SKB (I used 2x10-space racks). I think I got maybe 7-8 boxes in each SKB.
Then I broke down a large cardboard box and wrapped it around the SKB, to
provide a little more shock absorbency. The whole thing was wrapped up good
with duct tape.
Worst part about all this is the time it took to pack and then unpack, and I
don't know what would have happened if they wanted to inspect inside. Jeez,
no wonder big rock stars buy their own jets. How nice it would be to just
put my racks in cargo and retrieve them on the other end of a flight in good
condition. I can't imagine!
Next time, I'm going to try to get away with just bringing a sampler. It's a
humiliating non-solution, but I can't do this each and every time...
best,
- Scott
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http://www.red-noise.com