Microfading Tester International Discussion Group

Hello everyone,

Excited to join this community. 

We are considering options for travel with our Institut Fotonowy MFT and I was wondering how those of you with this instrument go about packing the unit for travel on a plane:

1. Do you place the instrument in its original case in checked luggage?
2. Do you repackage the instrument into another case (e.g. Pelican cases) and place it in checked luggage? 
3. Do you take it as carry-on luggage, repackaged into a carry-on sized suitcase? 

What have been your experiences travelling with the equipment? Any insights would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,

Noni

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Noni Zachri
Paper and Photographs Conservator
Grimwade Conservation Services
North Melbourne VIC
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Hello Noni,

I traveled with MFT by plane and have a bad experience with sending it as checked baggage (once it was lost, after two days it was found but damaged...) and now I take it with me to the cabin. The size of the suitcase with the equipment allows it. I have a pelican case and an aluminum suitcase on wheels, which I use alternatively.

Greetings!

Tomasz

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Tomasz Lojewski
Professor
Krakow
Poland
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Thanks, Noni and Tomasz!

Our plan is to regularly loan our Fotonowy MFT and we recently repacked the instrument in a Pelican 1610 case. This allows us to consolidate all components; not included in the original case were the calibrator kit, the extended arm, and laptop. The size of the case likely precludes carry-on, but we've had relatively good success checking in other delicate instrumentation so long as it is packed well in a strong case (and makes it on the plane!). It's also on wheels which is convenient.

Attached is a PDF documenting our repacking. Note that we used the existing foam trays provided by Fotonowy in their original case. Added foam was similar in density to the existing trays and handcut locally.

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Vincent Laudato Beltran
Scientist
Getty Conservation Institute
Los Angeles CA
vbeltran@getty.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-17-2024 06:54
From: Tomasz Lojewski
Subject: Travelling with the Institut Fotonowy MFT

Hello Noni,

I traveled with MFT by plane and have a bad experience with sending it as checked baggage (once it was lost, after two days it was found but damaged...) and now I take it with me to the cabin. The size of the suitcase with the equipment allows it. I have a pelican case and an aluminum suitcase on wheels, which I use alternatively.

Greetings!

Tomasz

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Tomasz Lojewski
Professor
Krakow
Poland
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