MOTM

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
____________
http://www.red-noise.com

> 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

The unfortunate, but better long-term, answer: don't fly SKB racks unless
you're willing to sustain damage.

I've been traveling with a Kurzweil K2000 (-not- the world's best built
synth) in custom built Anvil-style flightcases for 6 years. Never a scratch
on the keyboard, always made it in perfect condition. And I fly this thing
around a -lot-.

Three months ago I decided that it was time for a little SKB keyboard case
on casters (the casters being the important part), and that the replacement
cost of a K2 was now low enough that I could sustain the "hit", as it were,
if it were to get damaged.

"Hit" indeed. Whammo! Broken key, and the left half of the keyboard assembly
was snapped off when I went inside to fix it.

6 years without incident vs. 3 months...

Moral of the story: if you can afford to replace the gear, buy an SKB - it's
light and easy to carry. If you -can't- afford it, spring for the big bucks
and get some wooden, foam-lined flight cases built, and put casters on 'em.
There really is no "ATA-Approved"; at best it's just "ATA-spec", and even
then there are levels of protection within that specification. Bottom line:
they don't mean nuttin'.

Eric