Have equipment, will travel.
That's the philosophy of any photographer, videographer, musician, traveling salesmen, and countless other professionals. High-priced technology, whether it's a laptop computer or a digital camera, needs to travel safely.
A lot of gadgets come with their own padded carrying cases, but those will only get you so far when you're eyeing the belly of an airplane, or worried about the jostling crowds at a bustling event. Cases, however, are designed to withstand everything from the heavy-handed toss of the luggage terminal guy at the airport, to the elbows and knees of folks who bump your stuff as you walk from meeting to shoot to set.
Many of us think of shipping cases as being large, wooden crates, strapped into the deep hold of a ship, tied down with rope. But protective traveling cases have come a long way since they were designed to travel the high seas. Nowadays, they are made from lightweight high density polyethylene, or laminate-covered plywood, reinforced with steel at the corners and frames.
And shipping cases do not have to be used just for shipping.
Available in a variety of sizes a shapes, including round hat-box shapes and telescoping cylindrical shapes, shipping cases are used for the everyday transport of instruments, cameras, and audio visual equipment. The typically rectangular shape can be customized to fit odd-sized objects, and the interior foam lining can also be compartmentalized to keep separate, smaller items safe and cushioned.
A shipping case will get your video camera from your home to your shoot, even if you're just getting there via your own car. It will protect your equipment during the drive, it will protect your equipment from the crushing throngs on the sidewalk, and it will protect your equipment when you lay it back inside during the lunch break or the post-shoot champagne party. You do not need to be thinking about air travel - or ship travel - to invest in a shipping case to protect your equipment.
However, if you are hopping on a plane, there are cases which are ATA approved - that means the Air Transport Association has already given a case its seal of approval and safety that it will be safe on an airplane.
Good shipping cases should have recessed latches and handles, and be available with wheels so you can roll your equipment along if the size and weight of your equipment make carrying the case prohibitive. Shipping cases should have a cover, protecting the laminate surface itself, and straps to keep the cover down, which help to weatherproof the case against rain or snow.
Keep shipping cases in mind even if it's not equipment you're protecting. Art and posters need to be kept waterproof and crush-proof when they're rolled up inside a tube. Slides, films, and CDs likewise will survive a trip to a presentation much better if you trust the case they're ensconced within. Teaching and sales materials, such as banners, roll-outs, and other visual aids can safely be transported in shipping cases which are lightweight enough to wear over your shoulder with a strap.
There are quite a few manufacturers of cases of all sorts. For quality shipping cases please consider the Fibre Case. Corp.
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