alteredbeast
New member
while boarding a plane with guitar in tow? goin to west coast in october for a few weeks for a tour, and dont want someone takin my sh!t. discuss.
what was your experience
- Thread starter alteredbeast
- Start date
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: what was your experience
I`ve always followed my father`s advice on this (since he was a commercial pilot for 20 years) and purchased te seat next to mine for the instrument. Never had a single problem.
It that`s not an option, either check it in a heavy duty ATA-approved flight case with edge protection and ball corners, or send the instrument to your destination by mail.
Checking it in a non approved case releases the airline from incurred damage liabilities, directly causing videos such as those we see plastered over the internet twice a year from "professional" touring musicians bawling for sympathy because they were too cheap to purchase a decent case and the airline said "we don`t have to pay"
I`ve always followed my father`s advice on this (since he was a commercial pilot for 20 years) and purchased te seat next to mine for the instrument. Never had a single problem.
It that`s not an option, either check it in a heavy duty ATA-approved flight case with edge protection and ball corners, or send the instrument to your destination by mail.
Checking it in a non approved case releases the airline from incurred damage liabilities, directly causing videos such as those we see plastered over the internet twice a year from "professional" touring musicians bawling for sympathy because they were too cheap to purchase a decent case and the airline said "we don`t have to pay"
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Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: what was your experience
I went to California last year to play at a nation music convention with the school's show choir (basically the band director's go to guitar player), and I refused to allow my guitar to be put in luggage, so I used as my carry on, and it was no problem. I was told that if it didn't fit in the overhead thing, then I had to store it under the seat. I got it through the security (with a conversation from the TSA agent patting me down who happened to play bass), and then it was smooth sailing from there.
I went to California last year to play at a nation music convention with the school's show choir (basically the band director's go to guitar player), and I refused to allow my guitar to be put in luggage, so I used as my carry on, and it was no problem. I was told that if it didn't fit in the overhead thing, then I had to store it under the seat. I got it through the security (with a conversation from the TSA agent patting me down who happened to play bass), and then it was smooth sailing from there.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: what was your experience
I have a Steinberger as a travel guitar, and it easily fits in the overhead compartments. I took it to Arizona to keep my fingers nimble; ended up going to a local blues jam. I was the biggest guy on stage, with the smallest guitar.
I have a Steinberger as a travel guitar, and it easily fits in the overhead compartments. I took it to Arizona to keep my fingers nimble; ended up going to a local blues jam. I was the biggest guy on stage, with the smallest guitar.
jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: what was your experience
I just took one of mine as carry on luggage and checked the other one, maybe I got lucky cos they both survived.
I just took one of mine as carry on luggage and checked the other one, maybe I got lucky cos they both survived.
Bludave
New member
what was your experience
Try reading this. I can sympathizes itch anyone traveling with a guitar nowadays. It's got to suck. Years back I was able to carry mine on to most planes but if its a small plane and you have no choice but to check it use a good case and pack it well. Call the airlines beforehand and see if they will let you carry it on
http://truefire.com/blog/guitar-lessons/tips-for-flying-with-a-guitar/
Try reading this. I can sympathizes itch anyone traveling with a guitar nowadays. It's got to suck. Years back I was able to carry mine on to most planes but if its a small plane and you have no choice but to check it use a good case and pack it well. Call the airlines beforehand and see if they will let you carry it on
http://truefire.com/blog/guitar-lessons/tips-for-flying-with-a-guitar/
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: what was your experience
You own a guitar that was not designed by Gibson/Epiphone?
You own a guitar that was not designed by Gibson/Epiphone?
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: what was your experience
That whining got Taylor to send them brand new guitars! But neither here nor there, I had an airline destroy a bass of mine that I checked in a non-flight case. The damage was not done to the case, it was done while the instrument was out of the case because the airline needed to "inspect" the package. The airline never paid a cent for it and the destroy was not due to inferiority of the case but negligence of the search personnel. I'd be wary. I've been able to check my guitar before (even got to put it in overhead once) but those days may be long behind us. As one person said, if buying a second seat isn't an option, either mail it on ahead, buy a heavy duty flight case, or drive.
Checking it in a non approved case releases the airline from incurred damage liabilities, directly causing videos such as those we see plastered over the internet twice a year from "professional" touring musicians bawling for sympathy because they were too cheap to purchase a decent case and the airline said "we don`t have to pay"
That whining got Taylor to send them brand new guitars! But neither here nor there, I had an airline destroy a bass of mine that I checked in a non-flight case. The damage was not done to the case, it was done while the instrument was out of the case because the airline needed to "inspect" the package. The airline never paid a cent for it and the destroy was not due to inferiority of the case but negligence of the search personnel. I'd be wary. I've been able to check my guitar before (even got to put it in overhead once) but those days may be long behind us. As one person said, if buying a second seat isn't an option, either mail it on ahead, buy a heavy duty flight case, or drive.
T ROCKER
New member
Re: what was your experience
Do you have a bolt-on neck ? I used to travel with my Strat in a suitcase with the neck off, inside a folded gig bag. I'd screw that sucker back on as soon as I could and it usually didn't need too much adjustment. I'm not sure what the rules are now, but two suitcases per passenger were usually allowed ...
Do you have a bolt-on neck ? I used to travel with my Strat in a suitcase with the neck off, inside a folded gig bag. I'd screw that sucker back on as soon as I could and it usually didn't need too much adjustment. I'm not sure what the rules are now, but two suitcases per passenger were usually allowed ...
Evan Skopp
SDUGF Founder
Re: what was your experience
I've had two experiences where I tried to board a flight with an instrument in a gig bag, and they refused to let me on. In both cases, I either had to buy a seat for the instrument or check it. And in both cases, the price of a seat was more expensive than the value of the instrument.
In the first instance, it was a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Hamberg and the instrument--an electric Turkish saws--was severely damaged by the baggage handlers. I was able to get Lufthansa to reimburse me the cost of the repairs. The second time, which was just two weeks ago, was a short Jet Star flight from Sydney to Byron Bay and they refused to let me carry on my Tacoma Papoose travel guitar because it didn't fit in the luggage size frame (you know what I'm talking about?). I was fortunate that the instrument wasn't severely damaged, but it did require a truss rod adjustment after the flight. Fortunately, I had a truss rod wrench in the gig bag.
I've heard that if you're a member of the AFM, you can get a letter from your Local that most USA airlines will honor if you want to carry on your instrument in a gig bag.
I've had two experiences where I tried to board a flight with an instrument in a gig bag, and they refused to let me on. In both cases, I either had to buy a seat for the instrument or check it. And in both cases, the price of a seat was more expensive than the value of the instrument.
In the first instance, it was a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Hamberg and the instrument--an electric Turkish saws--was severely damaged by the baggage handlers. I was able to get Lufthansa to reimburse me the cost of the repairs. The second time, which was just two weeks ago, was a short Jet Star flight from Sydney to Byron Bay and they refused to let me carry on my Tacoma Papoose travel guitar because it didn't fit in the luggage size frame (you know what I'm talking about?). I was fortunate that the instrument wasn't severely damaged, but it did require a truss rod adjustment after the flight. Fortunately, I had a truss rod wrench in the gig bag.
I've heard that if you're a member of the AFM, you can get a letter from your Local that most USA airlines will honor if you want to carry on your instrument in a gig bag.
whatshisname
New member
Re: what was your experience
I've been lucky. They're always willing to put it in the Captain's closet. One time, they put it up, in front of the plane, and it was fine. Maybe it's because I'm so damn good looking, that they just can't say no, to me.
nder:
I've been lucky. They're always willing to put it in the Captain's closet. One time, they put it up, in front of the plane, and it was fine. Maybe it's because I'm so damn good looking, that they just can't say no, to me.
nder:
tubecrunch
New member
Re: what was your experience
A lecture I heard from Manuel Baruecco:
I'm not always allowed to carry my guitar on a plane. I'm told it won't fit in the overhead. So I buy a ticket for the guitar. Then the flight gets overbooked, they take my extra seat, and put the guitar in the overhead.
A lecture I heard from Manuel Baruecco:
I'm not always allowed to carry my guitar on a plane. I'm told it won't fit in the overhead. So I buy a ticket for the guitar. Then the flight gets overbooked, they take my extra seat, and put the guitar in the overhead.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: what was your experience
^^ Hehe.
I have a 3/4 size guitar for travel. Also, I try to get on the plane before most so I can stow the guitar in the overhead before it gets full.
^^ Hehe.
I have a 3/4 size guitar for travel. Also, I try to get on the plane before most so I can stow the guitar in the overhead before it gets full.
Rockstar216
New member
Re: what was your experience
Back about two years ago I flew down to Boston to audition for the Berklee school of music and I traveled with a tweed hard shell case my guitar teacher let me borrow for the trip since I didn't own one at the time. I checked it in and made it to and from in one piece no damage so I guess I was lucky because I never really thought about the damage that could happen in the baggage compartment of an airplane. But the guitar was a cheap strat so I would not have been out of a lot of money but if the time comes when I do have to fly again for a gig or need to bring my guitar i'm definitely buying a flight case for it or if worse comes to worse since the neck is a bolt on ill just unscrew the neck off and unstring it.
Back about two years ago I flew down to Boston to audition for the Berklee school of music and I traveled with a tweed hard shell case my guitar teacher let me borrow for the trip since I didn't own one at the time. I checked it in and made it to and from in one piece no damage so I guess I was lucky because I never really thought about the damage that could happen in the baggage compartment of an airplane. But the guitar was a cheap strat so I would not have been out of a lot of money but if the time comes when I do have to fly again for a gig or need to bring my guitar i'm definitely buying a flight case for it or if worse comes to worse since the neck is a bolt on ill just unscrew the neck off and unstring it.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: what was your experience
I never carry anything when i fly because even without luggage, flying makes my arms ache. If i had to carry a suitcase and a guitar, i couldn't flap my arms enough to even get off the ground.
I never carry anything when i fly because even without luggage, flying makes my arms ache. If i had to carry a suitcase and a guitar, i couldn't flap my arms enough to even get off the ground.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: what was your experience
^^ Perhaps you should try this technique, though you'd need some weight at your rear for counterbalancing.
^^ Perhaps you should try this technique, though you'd need some weight at your rear for counterbalancing.
JohnHouston
New member
Re: what was your experience
I just buy a cheap squier every time I travel somewhere. It's cheaper than a second plane ticket.
I just buy a cheap squier every time I travel somewhere. It's cheaper than a second plane ticket.
Re: what was your experience
Well true, the original concept wasn't designed by Gibson, but it has owned the Steinberger name since '87.
I'd save the mind explosion for when he tells us he just bought a Strat.
Well true, the original concept wasn't designed by Gibson, but it has owned the Steinberger name since '87.
I'd save the mind explosion for when he tells us he just bought a Strat.
