Traveling for Film and TV Productions: A First Class Drones Guide

When working in the film and television industry, travel is part of the job. Productions often require you to be away from home for a week or more, operating in unfamiliar locations with demanding schedules. At First Class Drones, our crews regularly travel to major productions across Canada and abroad, and over time, we’ve built a system that keeps us efficient, safe, and ready for anything.

Packing for Travel in All Conditions

Film and TV sets are unpredictable, both in schedule and in weather. A week-long trip could mean shooting in blazing sun one day and heavy rain the next. To stay prepared, we recommend packing with flexibility and redundancy in mind.

Here’s our packing list for a week on the road:

Clothing and Personal Gear

• Base layers: thermal long sleeves, lightweight t-shirts

• Outerwear: waterproof shell jacket, insulated jacket, fleece mid-layer

• Pants: jeans, work pants, quick-dry hiking pants

• Weather-specific: rain jacket, umbrella, hat/beanie, gloves, sunglasses

• Footwear:

  • 1 pair of comfortable work shoes (all-day wear)

  • 1 pair of waterproof boots (muddy/rainy conditions)

  • 1 pair of casual shoes (hotel or downtime)

• Sleepwear & lounge: pants & hoodie

  
  

Work Equipment

• Drone equipment packed in protective cases with accessories

• Batteries (charged + spares) with fireproof LiPo bags for travel

• Hard drives/SSDs with backups (at least 2 copies for redundancy)

• Safety gear: reflective vest, steel toes, protective eyewear (if required by site)

  
  

Tech Essentials

• Universal travel adapters, charging cables and extension cords

• Portable power banks (~20,000 mAh)

  
  

Travel Documents and Admin

• Government-issued photo ID or Passport (if international)

• Flight tickets, hotel confirmations, rental car details (printed + digital)

• Transport Canada Advanced License & SFOC documentation (if applicable)

• Production call sheets, Emergency contacts and company contact sheet

• Health insurance card/travel insurance info

  
  

Pro Tip: Less is better & pack as light as possible. You will never end up needing everything you bring.

Hotels: Rest and Recovery Matter

After 12 to 15 hours on set, your hotel becomes your recharge zone. A few strategies help make that time count:

• Memberships & Rewards: Sign up for loyalty programs (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.). Even basic membership can mean upgrades, late checkouts, or free breakfasts.

• Room Setup: Ask for a quiet floor away from elevators, and bring a sleep mask and earplugs to ensure deep rest.

• Health on the Road: Stretch, hydrate, and make use of hotel gyms or pools. Small efforts prevent fatigue from compounding over the week.

Crew Preparation: Mental and Physical Readiness

Operating drones for professional productions demands full concentration. Fatigue and stress directly impact safety, which is why we enforce policies around team readiness:

• Rest Before Call Time: Crews must get proper sleep before stepping on set. No exceptions.

• Nutrition & Hydration: Plan meals ahead of time (if possible) that keep energy steady. Avoid relying on caffeine or sugar alone.

• Mental Reset: Encourage team members to take short breaks during long days to stay sharp.

At First Class Drones, we maintain a hard cut-off at 15 hours of work in a day. This is not only company policy, it aligns with Transport Canada drone regulations and labour standards. Exceeding those limits risks both crew safety and production liability.

Employee Rights: Standing Up for Safety

At First Class Drones, every employee has the right to stand up for themselves if they feel work is exceeding the daily maximum. Fatigue, weather, and other external factors can significantly impact performance and safety.

It is always understandable to bring up concerns about rest, and call times can be discussed or adjusted when needed. In certain cases, giving the team an extra hour or two to recharge can make the difference between a safe, productive day and a dangerous one. Open communication is encouraged, and leadership will always support decisions made in the interest of safety and well-being.

Building in Buffer Time

Travel is rarely seamless. Flights get delayed, rental car lines move slowly, and airports can eat up more time than expected. To reduce stress, we always add buffer time:

• Airport Time: Arrive at least 2 hours early for domestic flights, 3 hours for international.

• Rental Cars: Factor in an extra 30 to 60 minutes for pickup.

• Bathroom & Rest Breaks: Simple but often overlooked, plan stops into your travel timeline, especially during location transfers.

• Load-In & Setup: Always schedule additional time for equipment checks after travel. Even cases that looked fine may need inspection after baggage handling.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Traveling for major productions isn’t just about getting there, it’s about staying prepared, safe, and professional from start to finish. From thoughtful packing and smart hotel choices to respecting rest policies, employee rights, and allowing buffer time, the details add up to a smoother trip and a more productive shoot.

At First Class Drones, our commitment is clear: we travel with purpose, we operate with safety, and we deliver excellence, no matter where the production takes us.