How much does it cost to transport gear for rock show?

Question

How much does it cost to transport gear for rock show?

I want to get a rough Idea of what the round trip costs to europe are for a PA system, two speakers and two amps ? Do airlines allow something that big on a passenger plane?

If not do you have any idea of what the rates for a frieght airliner would be?

Answer 1

Having set up and flown charter aircraft for many artists and production crew for various rock shows and tours over the past 20 some years, unless the show is a one or two man act, you probably do not want to transport the PA system. In all these years, the only equipment we have ever taken onboard the aircraft was a guitar or two plus the band. In a light turbine aircraft, there is typically not enough room for the PA system and unless the band is hugely famous or has an outlandish rider attached to their contract, a mid-sized private jet is out of the question financially.

Answer 2

Speakers may not be able to go.  I've refused speakers before because the magnet was over the allowable amount of magnetic material my FOM allowed me to carry.

Answer 3

I would go freight.  They charge by weight and size, so just call them with your box's measurements.

PS, it might be easier and cheaper just to rent the items over there, as they could get damaged in shipping, and you will have to get them back.  Of course, you never mentioned where they were coming from, so giving you a price would be difficult.  I wouldn't want to ship something that valuable and bulky.  I think renting might be a better plan for you.  Good luck.