Can you fly with sandbags?

[Paul Tackett]

I'm doing a travel job with a tight schedule and am considering flying with about 4 or 5 x 15lb sandbags or shotbags. I understand that I could bring empty bags and fill them, but the schedule is very tight & I'd rather have them ready to go. Has anyone had any trouble with this? A friend of mine actually did this on another job but that was only one instance, on one airline. Thanks in advance.

[Tim Tyler]

I could never bring myself to check heavy sandbags on a plane.

I'd either bring empty sand bags, hire a local PA with sandbags, bring cloth shopping bags and fill them with something from the location (books/rocks), or bring some straps and use my empty equipment cases to weigh the stands down.

[Daniel D. Teoli Jr.]

You should be able to bring what you want in checked luggage. Maybe even carry some on.

Or get water bags...

Westcott HurleyPro H2Pro Weight Bags (6-Pack) HP-WB6 B&H Photo (bhphotovideo.com)

You can fill anywhere, even at the airport before you get a rental car. To fill, get a hose adapter that slips on the faucet.

You have to check with the airlines to see their weight limits. You can always exceed it for $$.

Good luck!

Edited August 11, 2021 by Daniel D. Teoli Jr.

[Robin R Probyn]

Flying internationally for sure , I think your going to get your bags opened every X ray .. I strongly advise against using white sand ..

[Gabriel Devereux]

As long as your willing to pack accordingly. 

A few times around Australia I flew with a shot bag for my monitor stand. A friend of mine would travel with one as well while we waited for either freight or for the truck arriving with the rest of our gear. 

I always kept it in one of the pelican's though. I'm not sure if traveling with them loose would be the greatest idea. It'd be an interesting check in experience. 

[Hannes Famira]

I bought some empty sand bags and would love to fill them with proper lead shot this time. I think that is just going to be so much heavier. The prices I have been able to find are prohibitive. Do you guys have any sources you can recommend for the good stuff at an affordable price?