Flight with DJ equipment
Hello, DJTT!
I will have flight from USA to Russia this Saturday, so I have a question. I want to carry my equipment (laptop, S4, APC20) in hand luggage. Can I have any problems with TSA (Transportation Security Administration)? Can they stop me because I carry lot of strange things with buttons and lights? 
May be someone already had same experience?
I’m nervous a little about this trip…
not to sure about the russian leg of the trip, but I flew with pretty much the same gear from america to australia with it all on me as hand luggage, and the most I got was a lot of friendly questions from curious cabin staff about the s4.
Zaniac, thak you for your reply.
I hope that I will not have any problem with Russian customs, my only concern is about security check in LAX, because people who does not know anything about DJing can think that my stuff is doomsday weapon
But I hope that airport staff see a lot of same equipment every day.
got a funny story, i was on my way to a gig, and at the airport security check they ask to remove all electronics from ur bag, so I took out everything except for my folded up laptop stand which was wrapped in a hoody so it wudnt damage my gear. Then it goes thru the x-ray, i look at the screen and in my bag it looks like an uzi wrapped in a jacket!!! Hahaha, the security started freaking out, so did I. Needless to say I learnt my lesson its now the first thing that comes out my bag at the airport lol
LOL…an UZI!
crazy
i hate those.. usually not a security problem, but the thing is when you actually remove entire content of the luggage because everything you have is electronics/pieces of metal… lol 
you’ll be fine with carrying your laptop, and apc
And they are all too hasty to Empty the bag, but they leave you to pack everything back alone! hahaha
I thought my KAOSS pad looked a bit like a nuclear launch device haha
Thank you all guys.
So, as I understood, main point is to pack my luggage to be able easy take out my equipment from a bag for security check.
The s4 is bus powered - if customs ask questions, Throw a mini set at the security checkpoint.
This one. I like the sound of this one.
i flew from germany to the stattes with macbook, vci100 and audio8 in my hand luggage. had no problems at all. just make sure it´s easy accesible
I’ve made several international flights and loads of domestic flights with all kinds of DJ gear… never have had any problems other than customs in the countries thinking I’m working and asking me for a working visa… here is what I take in a Magma DJ bag as a carry-on:
(2) 12" Control vinyl
5-10 real 12" or 45’s
2 LPD-8 Midi Controllers
Audio 8 Sound Card
(2) Ortofon DJ Cartridges in a Stanton case
1 USB hub
10 pairs RCA Cables
6 USB cables
Gaffers tape
Headphones
13" Macbook
Power supply
Record duster
3oz rubbing alcohol
#2 pencil (cleaning of tonearms)
Q-tips.
Some airlines have weight limitations for carry on luggage.. be prepared and do that research and weigh your carry-on bags b4 you get to the gate!!
Hope this helps.
Ever leave home without it? 
not a chance!
Thank you all guys very much!
Yes, carry on luggage is limited by 10kg, but my Gator bag with S4, laptop, chargers and cables is under this limit. Also there is a trick: you can take additional personal bag or case (and they will not weight it!), so my APC20 will fly in it
A bit off topic but about DJ gear and planes, last time i came back from vacations, in the plane i was working on a set for a festival 2 days later, i had the MacBook Pro, Traktor and my X1.
While i was messing around and testing stuff, the staff was distributing beverages. One of the staff members stopped, and asked :
And then, in the middle of the row, beverages distribution stopped, because we started discussing about my X1. Then he invited me to the back of the plane, and for like 30 mins we discussed mixing, gear, tech house, electro, minimal. This guy totally dropped his job for half an hour.
I can understand that, messing with Filter 92 FLO + Bouncer + Digital Lo-Fi at 10,000 ft is wayyyyy more fun.
I think i’ll remember this moment for my whole life
@dope wow, great story!
^this^
I boarded at LAX. & as I was on my honeymoon and the Australian dollar was buying @ U.S $1.05 I shoped up a storm and got all my new toys over there, not to mention the price difference saved me a lot more than buying in Australia. I had 11kg hand luggage as well as the S4 + laptop as carry on and was sweet.
But I believe it is always a game of Russian Roulette (no pun intended ) with International Air travel. As it comes down to how the crew are feeling on the day I guess, as the same carry on items may have got me frantically looking for a solution if i got a prick of a crew member or the Likes who told me I needed to loose some weight.
I always play the Happy go lucky aloof card 