I had to catch a flight last week for a couple motorcycle and site inspections. Packing for such a trip can be a serious chore, especially if you’re flying solo. Loading up a tripod, scanner, CDR kit, drone, camera, measuring wheel, and miscellaneous tools takes a bit of figuring.

I’ve been using the Pelican 1615 Air (with the TrekPak dividers) for 5+ years. It’s the maximum airline check-in size but under 18 lbs leaving you 32 lbs of payload capacity before getting dinged. Completely loaded, my kit tends to fall between 46 and 50 lbs.

 
 

It’s also big enough to fit our Benro TMA48CXL tripod (which extends to 83”), eliminating the need for a separate tripod case. Combined with a backpack like this for the scanner and a suitcase for my personal stuff, I can roll from state to state like Mary Poppins.

If I need larger, expensive tools like vehicle scales, I’ll ship them to the hotel. For large, inexpensive items like a motorcycle jack, I’ll buy/ship one from Amazon and donate them to a worthy bystander before catching a flight back to the office.

If I had my druthers, I’d pilot my trusty Tundra to every inspection, but when I have to fly the 1615 Air makes it a more pleasant experience. Hopefully that glimpse into my travel tactics can save you some pain!

Thanks for reading, keep exploring.
Lou Peck
​Lightpoint | Axiom

P.S. The inspiration for this week's subject. Strangely, this is the line from Scarface that never left my brain.